Syrians in Nova Scotia optimistic after fall of Assad regime

Tareq Hadhad and his family experienced a mix of emotions as they watched the events unfold in Syria that led to the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Having fled Syria in 2012 after their home and chocolate factory were bombed during the civil war, they settled in Antigonish, N.S., where they founded Peace by Chocolate, a successful company that sells its products across Canada.

Reflecting on their life under the Assad regime, Hadhad described it as a “police state” characterized by fear, kidnappings, arrests, and corruption. Every aspect of Syrian life was controlled by the regime, from school report cards adorned with the president’s photo to constant surveillance. The family lived in constant fear, with personal losses like the death of a cousin and the kidnapping of a brother-in-law whose fate remains unknown.

As the news of the regime’s collapse spread, Hadhad spoke to officials in Syria who expressed a mix of congratulations and concerns about the country’s future. With over 500,000 people killed, a million imprisoned or kidnapped, and millions displaced during the years of conflict, Hadhad questioned what could be worse than the devastation that had occurred.

Omar Antebi, another Syrian refugee living in Canada, shared similar sentiments. Originally from Aleppo, he now runs Syrian Diary, a tour company in Halifax. He recalled the lack of freedom of expression under Assad’s rule, where speaking out against the regime could land a person in jail. Antebi expressed happiness at seeing prisoners being freed from Sednaya Prison, a notorious facility where thousands of people have been killed or tortured.

Both Hadhad and Antebi dream of a Syria where freedom and stability prevail, where families can thrive and children can dream without limits. They hope for a future where the people of Syria can enjoy the same democratic freedoms that Canadians do.

“As Syria embarks on a new chapter, we dream of a future where fear is gone, where families can thrive, and where children can dream without limits,” said Hadhad. “I’m extremely excited about the future and I’m praying for stability. I’m praying for peace for my home country.”