Tragedy in Syria hits Ottawa family

Death surrounds us, but we only seem to deeply reflect on life's fleeting nature when it slaps us in the face.

On Remembrance Day, November 11th, my beloved brother-in-law (my husband Shadi's brother and best friend), Mu'ath Jafar Al Shebli, was murdered in cold blood at a Syrian intelligence checkpoint while on his way home to his wife and two children: six year old Raja', named after Mu'ath's mother, and three year old Jafar, named after his late father.

Despite his innocence and being unarmed, Syrian intelligence personnel bound Mu'ath's hands and shot him in the back of his head, leaving him on the road side. He was robbed of his life, ID, money, car and even his shoes. His family learnt of his death through a YouTube video taken and uploaded by those who found him. The video was posted online in the hope that someone would identify him, and was first discovered by his mother -- no way for a mother to learn of the death of her child.

Mu'ath is a martyr and has been alleviated from the atrocities being faced by the Syrian people. According to some statistics, he is “Martyr No. 42,049”.  Yes, a number. Where is the humanity? 

O Mu'ath, you who were constantly serving others and loved by all, you have not died in vain. Watching Shadi and your family tremble at their loss, wondering what your last thoughts were, sifting through memories and regrets, wishing for a last word, visit or touch, piecing together the how and who, unable to make sense of something so inhumane and nonsensical. Our hearts bleed and we mourn so deeply. Mu'ath, your body may have been taken, but your soul lives on. We are all praying for you. You died for your people, and are a symbol of courage and strength in the face of adversity for everyone struggling for freedom in this world.

On November 11th we remembered those who died for Canada's freedom, but this date is no longer simply Remembrance Day. To us, November 11th is now Martyr's Day. For you, for all of the thousands of men, women and children who have been killed, we remember, and we pray. As the world watches, Syria burns. Please forgive us for not doing enough.

May God forgive you, honor you and elevate you in rank

May you enjoy eternal bliss and happiness just as you brought laughter and happiness to others

May God grant our family patience and comfort in the memories shared

May you be given all you were stripped of in this world and more

Verily, to God we belong and to Him we are returning

Ameen.

We were finally able to lay Mu'ath to rest on November 14th. But the world has yet to learn from tragedies like these. A whole generation of traumatized children is being created. This is Assad's legacy.

Please pray for Mu'ath and for Syria.

Aminah Kandar was born and raised in Ottawa. After high school, she traveled to Damascus to study Arabic and married Shadi Al Shebli shortly thereafter. She and her husband have been active members of the Ottawa Muslim Association and other community organisations. Aminah and Shadi are currently studying International Affairs at Georgetown University in Doha, Qatar. Upon completion of their studies, they intend to return to Ottawa so they can reconnect with the community they hold so dear