Australia has committed to resettling thousands of refugees from Syria. For some Australians, Syria is so distant it could exist in another universe, and the TV news tends to portray it as a dark, urban wasteland, populated only by villains and victims.
But despite the enormous destruction and suffering caused by six years of war, multi-faith Syria survives, and there is great courage and humanity to be found there.
To help Australians get to know the country Syrian refugees come from, the magazine Beloved Syria – Considering Syrian Perspectives aims to provide a platform for the voices of Syrians, emphasizing the country’s long history, its rich and complex culture, as well as the multi-faith nature of Syria. Its literature, music, art, and cuisine are both distinctive and the product of many centuries of interaction with other peoples.
In regard to the current conflict, the magazine aims to avoid contentious issues as much as possible.
We hope the magazine will inspire Australians to welcome Syrian refugees with open hearts but also inspire them to research Syria for themselves. The two oldest continuously inhabited cities are in Syria, so humanity has deep roots there. There is much to discover.
Beloved Syria is an ambitious project. We are all volunteers and all women, so we are particularly interested in the plight of women in Syria. Except for editor Norma Medawar and her nieces, we are non-Syrians, so we are learning about Syria as we work on this edition of the magazine.
The magazine aims to – -Present Syria and its people with respect and integrity -Promote peace and reconciliation in Syria -Contribute toward the rebuilding of Syria -Assist in the successful settlement of Syrian refugees into Australian communities.
Beloved Syria is a not-for-profit magazine. The first edition was funded entirely by the two editors. We believe this magazine fulfills a great need, and we wish to distribute it as widely as possible, for example to schools and community groups as well as to individuals. Hence, the magazine will be free.
We would welcome any assistance you can give, with financial support including sponsorship being the most pressing need at this time.
