| Majhool | Student | United States |
Re: ‘Syrian expatriates’
What role could expatriates play in building a better Syria?
Syria??s expatriate communities are incredibly diverse. If we exclude from the discussion seasonal Syrian workers in Lebanon, and 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, etc. immigrants in South America, the Syrian expatriates could be divided into two broad groups based upon their Geo-cultural region of residence: The Gulf States expatriates (G-expats), and the ??west? (America & Europe) expatriates.
Although many of their needs are identical, expatriates of the two groups undergo different experiences and challenges, hence creating additional special sets of needs for each group.
??Work? is what expatriates do best. It is the reason why they are expatriates in the first place. Expatriates by virtue of their nature and experience are experienced workers, open-minded, hard working, and ambitious. These qualities are exactly what ??Syria: the country and the nation? needs. Sound Logic suggests: The interests of Syria will be better served when expatriates are free to help build a better ??Syria?.
Positive contribution can also be divided into two groups: contributions abroad, and contribution in Syria. With respect to their contribution abroad: Luckily, expatriates are free and active in promoting Syrian culture abroad. Their success, good work ethics and high culture are the best cross-cultural public relation effort one can muster for the sake Syria. What is lacking is the absence of any serious organized political lobbying effort that advances Syria??s interests. In the defense of expatriates many argue that the many restrictions imposed by the government on the expatriates as well as the lack of legitimacy and accountability of the? government? circumvents any desire by the expatriates to advance the elite??s interests. I hope this will change in the future and I call for the government to expand its legitimacy and enhance its accountability to ensure the cooperation of all segments of the society.
On the other hand, expatriate contribution in ??Syria? is very difficult and sometimes restricted. Punitive legislations prevent many from going back to Syria. 100% lifting of restrictions is the minimum required by the government to help expatriates fulfill their desire of going back one day and helping out.
Are you satisfied with the government legislations concerning them?
Government legislation governs the extent to which expatriates can contribute to Syria. The government??s takes the position that ??expatriatism? is some sort of luxury that expatriates needs to be taxed on. Living abroad away from friends and family in foreign land is one huge tax that the expatriates already pay. Instead of inventing way to milk dollars out of their pockets and impose 12 years time periods before one can be exempt from serving the army, a change of attitude is required. So am I satisfied? The simple and sad answer is NO and not even close.
Are you satisfied with the performance of the minister of Expatriates’ Affairs Dr. Buthayna Shaaban?
Personally I admire Buthayna Shaaban. She is modern, smart, educated, and strong woman. However, Mrs Shaaban seems to focus much of her energy, and writings, in the defense of national and Arab struggle against all the evils in this world. The fact that she is die-hard ideologue of the Ba??ath party is counter productive. Syrians expatriates tend to be pragmatists and adhere to a different set of politics. They want to see reform in the homeland going hand in hand with the ??struggle?. This particular ministerial position requires someone who can understand the expatriate??s needs and actually sympathies with them, one that can bridge the gap between the current punitive mindset of the government, and the 100% support and flexibility required to engage the expatriates for the betterment of the nation. Shaaban is the wrong person to lead such an effort.
(9 votes, average: 4.44 out of 5)
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