Syrians from various social groups celebrated the end of President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule, marking the occasion with festivities and public gatherings. A striking moment from the celebrations was captured in a photo of a young girl posing with Mohammad al-Jolani, leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Following Friday prayers at the historic Umayyad Mosque, crowds assembled in a nearby square to commemorate their victory. Al-Jolani joined the jubilant celebrations, mingling with attendees and taking photos with many Syrians.
One widely circulated video shows a young girl, with her hair uncovered, asking al-Jolani for a picture. Media reports indicate that he asked her to cover her hair before the photo was taken.
However, the girl later clarified on Instagram that the request applied only to the picture itself, not beforehand. She highlighted that numerous women and girls attended the celebration without wearing hijabs, emphasizing that there were “no restrictions” on personal freedoms during the event. She also thanked the rebels for “bringing freedom” to the people.
In a statement following the formation of the interim government, al-Jolani reaffirmed his commitment to individual liberties. He declared that no one has the authority to restrict personal freedoms or impose dress codes, stating, “Personal freedom is a right for all, and respecting individual rights is essential for a civilised society.” He emphasized that interference with women’s attire or appearance is “strictly prohibited.”
Despite these declarations, HTS remains classified as a terrorist organization by the United States and other Western governments due to its origins as Al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria.
This designation complicates the work of businesses and aid organizations, which risk violating U.S. laws if their activities are perceived as supporting HTS.
