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Dr. Abdul Hamid Aqil al-Awak is elected Speaker of Syria’s People’s Assembly, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s transition to democracy. (People’s Assembly Session, Damascus)
Dr. Abdul Hamid Aqil al-Awak is elected Speaker of Syria’s People’s Assembly, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s transition to democracy. (People’s Assembly Session, Damascus)

People’s Parliament to be led by constitutional lawyer and visionary

    13 July 2026.  Dr. Abdul Hamid Aqil al-Awak, a constitutional lawyer, former judge, academic and public servant, was elected Speaker of Syria’s new legislature. Having opposed the previous regime while serving as a judge, he went into exile in 2014 to Turkey, where he laid out legal policies and procedures for Syria’s path to becoming a constitutional democracy.Read more at: SYRIAN OBSERVER

    Inaugural session of Syria’s new People’s Assembly, 12 July 2026. (SANA)
    Inaugural session of Syria’s new People’s Assembly, 12 July 2026. (SANA)

    Syria is writing a new chapter built on consensus and shared responsibility, President declares to new People’s Assembly

      13 July 2026.  When Syria’s new parliament convened for oath-taking and electing its leader and presidential council, President al-Sharaa urged lawmakers to prioritize public duty, strengthen accountability and help build a responsible, consensus-based legislature. He said the Assembly must serve as a platform for truth and justice.Read more at: SYRIAN OBSERVER

      People’s Assembly building in Damascus, as the new parliament is formed. (SANA)
      People’s Assembly building in Damascus, as the new parliament is formed. (SANA)

      Completion of new People’s Assembly membership marks milestone in Syria’s transition to democracy

        2 July 2026.  With 70 appointments by the president, adding to 137 elected members, Syria’s transitional parliament is complete. The appointees include figures from diverse spheres of Syrian life, including 15 women, plus individuals who suffered years of detention and loss of limbs in Syria’s liberation struggle.Read more at: SANA

        A volunteer with the Syrian Clothes Bank helps a child choose clothing, reflecting the initiative’s focus on dignity, choice and community support. (L24)
        A volunteer with the Syrian Clothes Bank helps a child choose clothing, reflecting the initiative’s focus on dignity, choice and community support. (L24)

        Free clothing bank opens in Damascus, bringing families in need and volunteers together in spirit of solidarity

          22 June 2026.  The Syrian Clothes Bank offers free clothing to families recovering from war and economic hardship, and more. Organizers say the act of choosing clothing helps restore a sense of dignity and personal agency. A volunteer said the experience strengthens her appreciation for the rewards of giving.Read more at: LEVANT 24

          People around the world mark World Refugee Day as new UNHCR data shows over 14 million displaced people returning home in 2025. (SANA)
          People around the world mark World Refugee Day as new UNHCR data shows over 14 million displaced people returning home in 2025. (SANA)

          One of world’s largest movements of refugees returned to Syria in 2025

            20 June 2026.  UNHCR says 1.3 million Syrians returned from abroad in 2025. In March 2026, a presidential decree officially committed the state to providing suitable conditions for returning refugees and internally displaced people through rehabilitation of infrastructure and services in war-ravaged areas.Read more at: SANA

            A traditional Circassian dance performance at Cultural Palace in Homs showcasing Circassian heritage as part of Syria’s Intangible Heritage week. (SANA)
            A traditional Circassian dance performance at Cultural Palace in Homs showcasing Circassian heritage as part of Syria’s Intangible Heritage week. (SANA)

            Circassian identity honored during Syria’s Heritage Week

              16 June 2026.  The event in Homs celebrating Circassian heritage showcased clothing, cuisine and folklore, highlighting the community’s role in Syria’s cultural mosaic. Strong public attendance at the week’s festivities reflects growing interest in preserving Syria’s pluralistic cultural heritage.Read more at: SANA

              Syria's Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Kabawat (far right), attends the U.N. disability rights conference (COSP) in New York
              Syria's Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Kabawat (far right), attends the U.N. disability rights conference (COSP) in New York

              Syria urges stronger global support for disability rights at UN conference

                10 June 2026.  At the UN’s COSP19 conference in New York, Minister Hind Kabawat called for increased international support for the rights and rehabilitation of 1.5 million Syrians living with disabilities resulting from many years of airstrikes, explosives, landmines and chemical attacks.Read more at: SANA

                Officials and business leaders meet in Damascus to shape the private sector’s role in Syria’s new economy. (SANA)
                Officials and business leaders meet in Damascus to shape the private sector’s role in Syria’s new economy. (SANA)

                Syria stands at ‘historic juncture’ as conference explores private sector’s role in recovery

                  3 June 2026.  Syria’s First National Private Sector Conference convened to redefine the sector’s role in the post-transition economy and lay the groundwork for long-term public-private cooperation. The Ministry of Economy and Industry organized the event in cooperation with the UNDP and Japan’s government.Read more at: SYRIAN OBSERVER

                  Voters cast ballots in parliamentary elections in Hasakah province, northern Syria, May 24, 2026. (SANA)
                  Voters cast ballots in parliamentary elections in Hasakah province, northern Syria, May 24, 2026. (SANA)

                  Parliamentary elections in former Kurdish areas allow launch of People’s Assembly 

                    25 May 2026.  Elections of members to Syria’s Peoples Assembly took place in the largely Kurdish northeast regions of Hasakah and Aleppo provinces, after security-related delays. The political integration of SDF forces into Syrian state structures enables the People’s Assembly to begin its legislative work.Read more at: LEVANT 24

                    Committees receive naturalization applications from Kurdish citizens—mainly from Hasakah province, with some from Aleppo, Damascus, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor. (SANA)
                    Committees receive naturalization applications from Kurdish citizens—mainly from Hasakah province, with some from Aleppo, Damascus, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor. (SANA)

                    Thousands of Kurds submit applications for Syrian citizenship

                      25 May 2026.  Interior Ministry committees have received 2,892 family applications for naturalization —covering over 10,500 people—under Presidential Decree No. 13, which in January this year recognized their legal, cultural and linguistic rights, integrating them into the national fabric.Read more at: ENAB BALADI

                      Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat, and World Food Program Country Director, Marianne Ward, sign an agreement to launch the T-Anmu (I Grow) social protection program. (SANA)
                      Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat, and World Food Program Country Director, Marianne Ward, sign an agreement to launch the T-Anmu (I Grow) social protection program. (SANA)

                      First national program is launched to aid vulnerable families through nutrition

                        18 May 2026.  Syria’s Social Affairs and Labor ministry and the World Food Program opened the “T-Anmu” (I Grow) initiative, supported by France and Switzerland, aimed at building an integrated, just and sustainable social protection system with a focus on Syrian families with malnourished children.Read more at: SANA

                        Syrian Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais speaks during the ‘Justice Matters’ conference at the Peace Palace in The Hague. (SANA)
                        Syrian Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais speaks during the ‘Justice Matters’ conference at the Peace Palace in The Hague. (SANA)

                        Justice minister affirms Syria is actively pursuing accountability for war crimes

                          8 May 2026.  Speaking to figures in the field of justice from around the world, gathered in The Hague to discuss the role of justice in preventing conflict, Minister al-Wais stated that Syria is working to strengthen accountability and prevent impunity, while making reforms that promote the rule of law and civil peace.Read more at:  SANA

                          Dr Zaher Sahloul

                          About the Kurds by Dr Zaher Sahloul

                            The decree issued by President Ahmed al-Sharaa is a historic decree, similar in importance to the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. The Proclamation has the potential to end discrimination against the brave and dignified Kurdish people, who represent an essential component of the Syrian fabric. Read More at: Dr Zaher Sahloul…

                            Ibrahim al-Youssef showing seeds grown at his Aleppo farm

                            Seeds Against Bombs: scenes from Syria’s agricultural resilience and revival

                              Once scattered and safeguarded abroad, Syria’s native seeds are taking root once more, part of an organic revival aimed at restoring the country’s agricultural heritage. “A hundred years ago, our grandparents used to save seeds from their own crops and replant them the next season, generation after generation. This concept has always existed—we’re just reviving it. It’s our way of responding to crisis and heading towards food sovereignty,” seed farmer, Ibrahim al-Youssef, explained.Read More at: Philippe Pernot, Syria Direct…

                              Emerging Leadership in a Changing World

                                Signs of a new style of leadership are appearing around the world. As old systems fail to respond to accelerating change, people are looking for leaders who can move beyond age‑old patterns of established authority and embrace emerging realities. In many countries — including those that have endured profound upheaval — leaders are arising who emphasise social cohesion, inclusiveness, compassion, responsibility and building trust.

                                Syrian students gather at a school participating in the 2026 Arab Reading Challenge. (SANA)
                                Syrian students gather at a school participating in the 2026 Arab Reading Challenge. (SANA)

                                Encouraged by Education Ministry’s “reading culture,” over a million students join Arab Reading Challenge

                                  31 March 2026.  The program, initiated by the UAE, encourages students to read 50 books a year outside of school, promoting self-learning skills, critical thinking and cultural awareness. Over 1.37 million Syrian students joined the challenge, supported by many thousands of educators.Read more at:  SANA

                                  Conference held at Damascus University on laws discriminating against women attended by Syrian officials, UN representatives, legal scholars, international organizations and civil society. (7al.net)
                                  Conference held at Damascus University on laws discriminating against women attended by Syrian officials, UN representatives, legal scholars, international organizations and civil society. (7al.net)

                                  Legal conference explores reforms to paternal descent laws harmful to women and children

                                    31 March 2026.  A Damascus University conference focused on loopholes in Syria’s existing Nationality Law, based on a 1969 decree, which allows discrimination against women married to non-Syrians and their children. Reforms to advance gender equality and legal protections were proposed.Read more at:  SYRIANOBSERVER

                                    President Ahmad al-Sharaa and First Lady, Latifa al-Droubi, host reception for Syrian women on Eid al-Fitr and Mother’s Day, March 21, 2026. (SANA)
                                    President Ahmad al-Sharaa and First Lady, Latifa al-Droubi, host reception for Syrian women on Eid al-Fitr and Mother’s Day, March 21, 2026. (SANA)

                                    President al-Sharaa celebrates role of mothers in building families, communities, and the nation

                                      21 March 2026.  At a gathering at the People’s Palace, the President honored Syrian women for their immense sacrifices while standing as pillars of the nation and partners in Syria’s renaissance. In an open dialogue, he sought their perspectives on rebuilding the country’s social and economic fabric.Read more at:  SANA

                                      A jubilant Kurdish community gathers in celebration of Nowruz, Kurdish New Year, lighting the torch of freedom. (Radio Free Syria)
                                      A jubilant Kurdish community gathers in celebration of Nowruz, Kurdish New Year, lighting the torch of freedom. (Radio Free Syria)

                                      Kurdish New Year, Nowruz (New Day), to be observed as national public holiday for first time in history

                                        15 March 2026.  Kurds across Syria will celebrate Nowruz openly on March 21, 2026 as their long restricted heritage is honored by the Syrian state. “A free Syria has room for all its sons,” commented Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, pointing to the nation’s expanding pluralism.Read more at:  RADIO FREE SYRIA