Breaking stereotypes about Syria | Laila Alhariri | TEDxTUBerlin

Summary

Layla, a Syrian-born individual, shares her personal story and challenges the stereotypes associated with her country and people. Born in the Soviet Union to a Ukrainian mother and a Syrian father, she moved to Syria as an infant and later pursued medical studies. Her life took a dramatic turn amidst the Syrian conflict, leading to a harrowing escape from a kidnapping attempt. Layla emphasizes the rich history of Syria, often overlooked due to the focus on the ongoing war. She dispels myths about the Syrian people, highlighting the diversity in language, religion, culture, and appearance. Layla also addresses misconceptions about gender roles and women's rights in Syria, pointing out the achievements of Syrian women in various fields. Her narrative aims to foster understanding and bridge cultural gaps, encouraging people to look beyond the headlines and see the multifaceted reality of Syria and its people.

Takeaways

• 📚 Stereotypes are over-generalized ideas about a group of people, often used to categorize information efficiently but can be misleading.
• 🌟 Layla, the speaker, was born in the Soviet Union to a Ukrainian mother and a Syrian father, and her family moved to Syria after her birth.
• 🏥 Layla almost became a victim of kidnapping during the chaos in Syria but managed to escape, highlighting the personal risks faced during times of conflict.
• 🌍 Syria, often misunderstood, is a country with a rich history, being home to one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities and significant cultural achievements.
• 🗣️ Syrians speak Arabic, but there are various dialects within the country, similar to how different regions in Europe have their own dialects.
• 🏜️ Contrary to the stereotype, Syria is not entirely desert; it has a diverse landscape that includes mountains, hills, and even snow-capped peaks.
• 🍽️ Syrians are known for their generous hospitality, offering food and shelter to guests regardless of their origin.
• 🕌 The religious composition of Syria is diverse, with Muslims, Christians, non-religious people, and other sects coexisting.
• 🍻 Contrary to some beliefs, alcohol and pork are available in Syria, reflecting a freedom of food choice and belief.
• 👳 There is no law in Syria that forces women to wear a veil or hijab; the decision is a personal one and both Christians and Muslims are socially accepted with or without a veil.
• 🎄 Syria has a significant Christian population and celebrates Christmas, with festive decorations and activities.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Layla's experience in Germany with making friends and breaking stereotypes shows the importance of cultural exchange and challenging misconceptions.

Q & A

What is the definition of stereotypes as mentioned in the transcript?

Stereotypes are over-generalized ideas about a group of people that we use as an efficient way to categorize the information we perceive every day.

Why do people rely on stereotypes?

People rely on stereotypes because it's a way to fall into a comfort zone where they feel they have enough information about all the people they face every day.

What is Layla's background according to the transcript?

Layla was born in the Soviet Union to a Ukrainian mother and a Syrian father. After her birth, her family moved to Syria, specifically to the capital, Damascus.

What happened to Layla during the chaos in Syria?

Layla was half kidnapped but managed to escape. The motivation behind her kidnapping remains unclear to her.

Why did Layla decide to move to Germany?

Layla decided to move to Germany because her hometown, Damascus, which she considered her home, was no longer safe due to the ongoing war in Syria.

What is the common misconception about Syria's landscape?

The common misconception is that Syria is all deserts, with people riding camels to school and living in tents.

What is the language spoken by most Syrians?

Most Syrians speak Arabic. Syrian Arabic is a dialect, similar to how there are different dialects in various parts of Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.

What does the demographic of Syria's population look like according to the transcript?

According to the transcript, 70% of the Syrian population are Muslims, 16% are Christians, 10% are non-religious, 1% are Jewish, and 3% belong to other sects.

How does Layla describe the cultural norms regarding women in Syria?

Layla explains that while there are distinct gender roles and women often stay home to take care of children, there are also many women who focus on their careers and education, achieving high positions in fields like politics.

What is Layla's perspective on the importance of breaking stereotypes?

Layla believes it is crucial to break stereotypes to foster understanding and connection between different cultures and to promote love over judgment.

What is Layla's message to people like her potential boyfriend Christian from the transcript?

Layla's message is to encourage people not to let stereotypes and misconceptions prevent them from getting to know and understand individuals from different backgrounds.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Understanding Stereotypes and Personal Narrative

The first paragraph introduces the concept of stereotypes as over-generalized ideas about groups of people, explaining that they are used for efficient categorization of information. The speaker, Layla, shares her personal background, being born in the Soviet Union to a Ukrainian mother and a Syrian father. She discusses her near-kidnapping experience in Syria, her escape, and the emotional aftermath. Layla's narrative then shifts to her move to Germany, her efforts to learn the language, and the common misconceptions people have about her country of origin, Syria.

05:03

🌍 Debunking Myths about Syria and Its People

In the second paragraph, Layla aims to break common stereotypes about Syria. She clarifies that Syrians speak Arabic, not Syrian or Persian, and highlights the diversity of the Syrian landscape, which is not entirely desert. Layla also addresses the misconception that Syria only experiences hot weather, sharing a personal anecdote about snowy Damascus. She further dispels myths about Syrians being solely Muslim, explaining the country's religious diversity, and talks about the availability of alcohol and the social acceptance of various religious practices in Syria.

10:05

👳‍♀️ Syrian Culture and Countering Stereotypes

The third paragraph continues with Layla's efforts to challenge stereotypes about Syrian women, explaining that there is no law enforcing the wearing of veils or hijabs. She emphasizes the social acceptance of both Christians and Muslims in Syria and mentions the country's celebration of Christmas. Layla also discusses the physical diversity among Syrians, referencing various ethnicities and the accomplishments of Syrians abroad. She talks about the generosity and hospitality固有的 of Syrians and the importance of manners and etiquette in the culture.

15:07

🤝 Experiences of Integration and Friendship in Germany

In the fourth paragraph, Layla shares her experiences of trying to integrate into German society and make German friends. She describes her attempts to join various social groups and activities, and her eventual success in forming friendships. Layla also touches on the differences between Syrian and German social norms, particularly regarding the depth and speed at which friendships are formed. She expresses pride in her Syrian background, including her ballet training in Damascus and the high educational attainment among Syrians, highlighting the importance of cultural exchange and understanding.

20:07

💖 A Call for Connection and Understanding

The final paragraph is a heartfelt appeal from Layla for people to look beyond stereotypes and to invest energy in building bridges of understanding. She shares a personal anecdote about a lost connection due to her Syrian origin and uses it to illustrate the importance of not judging others. Layla quotes Mother Teresa to emphasize the importance of love over judgment and thanks the audience for their attention.

Keywords

💡Stereotypes

Stereotypes are oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a particular group of people. They are often used as a shortcut for understanding the social world, but can lead to misconceptions and discrimination. In the video, the speaker discusses how stereotypes about Syrians are challenged and corrected, emphasizing the diversity and complexity of Syrian culture and people.

💡Syria

Syria is a country in Western Asia, known for its rich history and cultural heritage. The video's speaker, Layla, is from Syria and shares her personal experiences to provide a more nuanced understanding of the country beyond the common perceptions of war and conflict. The video aims to reveal the lesser-known aspects of Syrian culture, history, and society.

💡Cultural Misunderstandings

Cultural misunderstandings occur when people make assumptions about a culture based on incomplete or incorrect information. In the video, Layla addresses several misconceptions about Syrian culture, such as the belief that all Syrians are Muslims, live in the desert, or that women are oppressed. By clarifying these misunderstandings, she aims to foster a more accurate and respectful view of Syrian people.

💡Diversity

Diversity refers to the range of differences among people, including ethnicity, religion, language, and cultural practices. Layla highlights the diversity within Syria, noting that it is home to various ethnic groups and religious beliefs. This diversity is part of what makes Syria rich in culture and history, and it contradicts the monolithic stereotypes often associated with the country.

💡Personal Narrative

A personal narrative is a story told from an individual's perspective, often used to convey personal experiences and insights. Layla uses her personal narrative to share her journey from Syria to Germany, including her near-kidnapping experience and her efforts to continue her medical studies. Her story humanizes the Syrian experience and challenges listeners to consider the individual lives behind the headlines.

💡Integration

Integration refers to the process of becoming part of a new society or community. Layla discusses her efforts to integrate into German society, including learning the language and seeking out friendships with locals. She reflects on the differences between forming friendships in Syria versus Germany and emphasizes the importance of patience and effort in building meaningful connections.

💡Refugee

A refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. Layla's story as a Syrian in Germany often intersects with the refugee experience, as she navigates the challenges of displacement and the stereotypes associated with being a refugee. The video seeks to broaden the understanding of refugees as individuals with their own stories and aspirations.

💡Hospitality

Hospitality is the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests. Layla describes Syrian hospitality as a cultural trait, where people are eager to offer food, shelter, and assistance to visitors. This aspect of Syrian culture is used to counter the negative stereotypes and to showcase the warmth and generosity of the Syrian people.

💡Education

Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and habits. In the video, Layla emphasizes the importance of education in Syria, where schooling is free and compulsory, and higher education is accessible to many. She also mentions her own pursuit of medical studies, highlighting the commitment to learning and personal development among Syrians.

💡Cultural Exchange

Cultural exchange involves the sharing of ideas, knowledge, and customs between different cultures. Layla's experiences in Germany and her interactions with others serve as a form of cultural exchange. The video encourages a broader cultural exchange by challenging stereotypes and inviting viewers to learn more about Syrian culture and people.

💡Religious Diversity

Religious diversity refers to the range of religious beliefs and practices within a population. Layla clarifies that while Islam is the majority religion in Syria, there is a significant Christian population, as well as non-religious people, Jewish people, and other sects. This diversity challenges the stereotype that all Syrians are Muslims and highlights the multi-religious nature of Syrian society.

Highlights

Stereotypes are over-generalized ideas about a group of people. They are used as an efficient way to categorize the information we perceive everyday.

The speaker, Layla, was born in the Soviet Union to a Ukrainian mother and a Syrian father. Her family moved to Syria when she was a baby.

Layla was studying medicine in Syria for 3 years before the war broke out. She was almost kidnapped but managed to escape.

After escaping the kidnapping, Layla moved to Germany with her family to continue her studies. She joined a language class to learn German.

When asked where she is from, Layla often gets the response that people don't know much about Syria. Her country has been in the news for the war.

Syria is located in the heart of the world with a population of 18.5 million. It is half the size of Germany and belongs to the Arab world of 22 countries.

When people think of Syria, the most common associations are refugee and war. But Layla wants to show the other, less known face of Syria.

Syria has a rich history. Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities since 8000 BC. The Phoenician alphabet was discovered there.

Contrary to stereotypes, Syrians speak Arabic, not Syrian or Persian. Arabic is the common language across the Arab world.

While the Syrian desert covers 50% of the land, there is also a variety of landscapes including mountains, hills, and the sea.

Syria has four seasons, contrary to the stereotype that it is always hot and never snows. Snowy Damascus was photographed last year.

Syrians are known for their generous hospitality. They readily offer food, shelter, and directions to guests from any country.

70% of the Syrian population is Muslim, but there are also 16% Christians, 10% non-religious, 1% Jewish, and 3% other sects.

There is no law in Syria forcing women to wear veils or hijabs. It is an individual choice, and both Christians and Muslims are socially accepted.

Syria has a diverse population with different ethnicities like Arameans, Armenians, Circassians, Chechens, Assyrians, and Kurds. There is no one 'Syrian look'.

Some prominent people with Syrian heritage are Steve Jobs (father was Syrian) and Jerry Seinfeld (mother was Syrian Jewish).

Syrian women are not universally oppressed. Many focus on their careers and education. Women have held important roles like Minister of Culture.

Layla struggled to make German friends at first. She tried various classes and hobbies. It takes more time and effort to form friendships in Germany.

Education is highly valued in Syria. School is free and compulsory through 9th grade. English and French are mandatory languages. Most Syrian refugees in Germany have a high school diploma.

Layla emphasizes the importance of building bridges between cultures rather than perpetuating stereotypes. She shares personal stories to challenge misconceptions.

Transcripts

what are stereotypes and why do we have

them stereotypes are over generalized

ideas about a group of people we use

stereotypes because it's an efficient

way to categorize the information we

perceive everyday and thoughts we fall

into our comfort zone where we have

enough info about all the people we face

every day I wish I could tell you more

about this but unfortunately sociology

is not my middle name so let me move to

the one thing everybody enjoys and

excels at talking about themselves my

name is Layla and I was born in the

Soviet Union to a Ukrainian mother and a

Syrian father

right after my birth my family moved to

Syria specifically to the capital

Damascus then I started studying

medicine eighteen years later I'm almost

at my fourth year of studies a year

after the chaos have started in Syria I

was half kidnapped half because I

managed to get out and yeah I intended

to take a cab that day to meet a friend

but suddenly we were on a highway

connecting Damascus with the south and

cities and Lebanon and despite the tear

gas the taxi driver gets spraying into

my face I managed to call my best friend

she herself called my brother-in-law and

gave him my coordinates

he sent a few cars to look for me and

yeah

phew very very long minutes later I

managed to get out because the driver

pulled over and I ran away and I escaped

I escaped the scenario which awaited

most of the kidnapping victims getting

tortured filmed and then killed the

motivation of is of this kidnapping is

still in the dark for me I still don't

know why this happened but yeah although

I managed to recover my health

Division few months later they fear in

my heart which I carried years later on

only began to evolve knowing that my

city previously known to be one of the

safest on earth was no longer an option

for me it was the only place where I

feel home where I belong so I had to

live and my family and I decided that I

should move to Germany and I should

continue my studies here and Here I am

arriving in Germany when I first arrived

in Germany I joined a language class to

learn the language and I was often

confronted with the question what comes

to hell where do you come from

at that time only very few of my friends

knew actually where Syria is which was

totally ok no problem but as time passed

by my country started invading the news

and I was constantly reminded of the

horrible war even on the small screens

on the subway trains but let me here

introduce my country Syria located at

the heart of the world at least if you

see the perspective of this map it hugs

me it has a population of eighteen point

five million and is around half the size

of Germany Syria belongs also to the

Arab world consisting of 22 countries

well both in Asia and Africa facts and

figures in preparation of this talk I

have asked people what they think of

when they hear the word Syria or Syrians

and as you could imagine the most

frequent answer I got was refugee or war

well today I don't want to talk about

war I want to show you the other face of

Syria a very surprising contradiction

for me is how unknown Syria is despite

its rich history think of Syria as just

another small third-world country in the

Middle East

no Damascus is actually one of the

oldest continuously inhabited cities

since 8000 BC

and in yoga it's now known as receive

chambre was not only the oldest verified

alphabets worldwide discovered the

Phoenician alphabets but also it's home

to the oldest melody known in history

the hurryin him how can a country with

such rich history be unknown for many

but anyway let me now start breaking the

stereotypes for you and maybe many of

them will not sound that unfamiliar

first Syrians speak Syrian or Syrians

speak Persian one quick answer we speak

Arabic and I mean we do have Syrian is

just another dialect just like Germans

have in different parts of germany or

austria or switzerland but yeah one

thing to say is the whole Arab world so

around 420 million people can

communicate using the same language the

standard or high Arabic second Syria is

all deserts many people think Judea has

a yellow landscape that we ride camels

to schools or not social live in tents

so is this true it's quite tricky to

break this one to be honest because it

is quite true I mean we do neither live

in tents or ride camels to school

definitely but the Syrian desert does

cover 50% of the area but we also have a

variety of landscape of mountains hills

the sea legs and even our Mount Hermon

as you see in the picture here the

highest mountain in Syria at 2814 metres

is almost as high as the highest peak in

Germany that sucks but we also have a

variety of fauna like deer wolves and

bears and rodents and the Syrian hamster

self-explanatory who was also discovered

in the north of Syria

the weather in Syria is dry hot and it

never snows no we do have four seasons

here's a photo of snowy damascus taken

from last year now I'd like to tell you

a small story

few days not few days a few years ago I

intended to take a cab in Berlin because

I needed to catch my train to Tristan

and it was early morning hours I admit

maybe not the best time but the taxi

driver asked me where do you come from

and I hesitantly said from Syria he

shrugged and he rolled his eyes not a

look of satisfaction but anyway as we

approach our destination he sneezed so I

said spontaneously gesundheit or bless

you but he did not say danke

or thank you in return but his answer

was they have been about adverse it's

young I think you have some manners for

a refugee I smiled and I did not comment

because we Syrians we say gesundheit if

somebody chokes coughs or of course also

sneezes and we saw also we say also name

and when somebody leaves the shower as

in please

we say Allah if somebody trips us and

may God protect you and we also say die

may when we finish our food as may we

always have food on our table not only

in words but also in action Syrians are

known for their generous hospitality so

they are more than ready to offer their

time a place to sleep

a Syrian table a table full of food

basically for any guests who comes over

from a foreign or not foreign country

and in Syria you don't need any GPS

which I'm not sure works there anyway

but because you can ask anybody and

there are numerous number of people who

will go out of their way to direct you

to the to your destination to move to my

next point are all Syrians Muslims well

there are two very wrong misconceptions

in this

typical world about Arabs the first one

is Arab equals Saudi well this is

definitely wrong because Saudi Arabia is

just another country in the Arab world

and they have their very individual laws

and culture the second one is Arab

equals Muslim this is also wrong

although we have a huge number of

Muslims but actually the most number of

Muslims worldwide they reside

not in the Arab world but in countries

like Indonesia Pakistan and India let's

take a look at the Syrian population as

you see in the chart seventy percent in

blue of

Syrian population are Muslims 16 percent

are Christians but we also have ten

percent of non-religious people 1

percent of Jewish people and 3 percent

of other sects does everybody wave

alcohol and pork and well as we have a

freedom of belief we also have a freedom

of food choice so of course you can buy

alcohol in many supermarkets in many

restaurants and so on and we even I know

nobody knows about this but we have our

own beer brands and shut it and also

better than probably not the most famous

worldwide but it does exist work is also

available to buy in different

restaurants and yeah special

neighborhoods may be more Christian but

it does exist and you don't need a

license for that are all females first

wear a veil or a hijab there is

absolutely no law in Syria that forces

any female to wear a veil or a hijab and

of course I mean it's absolutely an

individual decision but even in schools

nobody will make sure you're close as

much as your religion or so and both

Christians with a veil as well as

Muslims without one are socially

accepted Syrians don't celebrate

Christmas I just said we have a good

fraction of Christians so yes we do

here's a photo of a decorated Damascus

with Christmas lights

not only we have decorations but we also

have a Santa Claus distributing candy

and small gifts for children Syria was

the mascot was also home to the biggest

Christmas tree in the Arab world of

course 27 meters let's talk about looks

many people think stereotypical Arab

person with probably for a man look like

this and for a woman like this or this

so let's let me introduce my friends

rewards me down Mohammed Rowan's sitting

here in the audience yes Ann and Lana in

a country alike studio with a very

complex history and different

ethnicities like arameans Armenians

Circassians Chechens Assyrians and Kurds

it's really hard to speak of a

particular look which represents

everybody we are diverse and we are

mixed we have all hair colors I colors

and body types of the prominent people

with Assyrian heritage are Steve Jobs

born to a Syrian father and Jerry

Seinfeld born to a Syrian Jewish mother

is everybody calls in Hamid's

well I mean I don't know 45 in Hamid's

and 23 a much it's true but I mean it's

just a few name in the Muslim community

and I mean let's face it are the Germans

any more creative with their max modes

and marija options women are oppressed

and controlled yes women are oppressed

and controlled but not all of them and

it's quite funny to say I have never

felt more women Li than in my own home

country don't get me wrong I'm not

trying to say that Syria is the leading

country with women rights or gender

equality but is there no silver lining

of being the delicate fragile sex I mean

all men stand up if you enter a bus to

offer their seats boys will offer to

carry your grocery bags from the

supermarkets and also if your car breaks

in the middle of the road there will be

a number of men jumping under it to fix

even if they don't know how to or they

will even push it or stand by and give

an advice or a suggestion there are

definitely things which I miss about

being home getting complemented from my

male friends on a night out in a legally

non harassing way and their urgency to

accompany of girls when it's getting

late

but our women really oppressed I mean a

general look on the Syrian women will

give the impression she is oppressed

because on one side we do have the

distinct gender roles so I mean women

like to stay home and take care of the

kids but on the other hand in the last

year's there are many women who focus on

their career and education and are high

achieving even in politics women have

attained important roles like the

Minister of Culture Social Affairs labor

and even the current political adviser

in Syria is a woman let's integrate a

year after I have arrived and lived in

Berlin I only had foreigner friends and

I thought it's time to look for German

ones

and integrate them into my integrational

process and yeah I asked Google

how should I find friends and the Google

search recommended me joining a class or

a hobby where I meet my potential peers

on a regular basis so I was really doing

all sorts of things

I joined girls couchsurfing writing

groups I was also in different John

musical jump sessions but also in

international improvisation theater

I met random people for a tofu kabob or

a cucumber smoothie and still I did not

manage and then I started to question my

social skills what am I doing wrong and

then I learned that in Germany it takes

really much more time and effort and

also patience to make a friendship but

then it's also stronger whereas in Syria

you meet somebody in the university you

smile you strike a conversation you have

food you exchange numbers you're best

friends by the first day that is

considered rather superficial in Germany

but anyhow by the end of my third year

living in Berlin I did manage to make

two German friends of which I was really

proud but then I had to move to twistin

because of my medical studies anyway

among the classes which I troll which I

joined in Berlin was ballet classes and

being the brilliant dancer which I am

just kidding I'm actually just okay well

my teacher asked me where did I get my

liberal ballet training in a country

where women are oppressed and may not

attend elementary school and culture is

backwards cultural from Syria what's

that

I did my ballet training photos of me in

our National Ballet School located in

Damascus Syria and required for

admission are only actually a nominal

amount of money but also potential

talents not only the School of Dance was

almost three but universities in Syria

are almost cost

three and schools are free and

compulsory to ninth grades English and

French are mandatory languages and

German statistics show that two-thirds

of Syrian refugees arriving in Germany

have already attained their high school

diploma so having the twelve year school

system just like in Germany we are

allowed to enter University immediately

I am a Jew day a fellow TEDx speaker and

also a dancer from Syria was rescued by

the Dutch National Ballet and he is a

graduate from the higher Institute of

well dramatic arts but also dance in

music located in Damascus a little

Assad's a famous archeologist he was a

head of Antiquities in Palmyra for over

40 years but in 2015 he was detained by

the ISIS and then he was tortured and

then beheaded at 83 years old because he

refused to reveal the location of the

hidden artifacts of that murder in Anna

dance troupe was also created in Syria

had made tours worldwide in Europe and

the US and have now to dance schools in

both Dubai and Canada at a mom has some

graduate from your Faculty of Fine Arts

in Damascus had a work art which went

viral online the freedom graffiti

explaining the power of love in a

war-torn country another work of his is

the bon voyage Damascus why do I stand

to break stereotypes here today few days

ago I was having a chat with my

potential new boyfriend Christian from

tinder and and we were really getting

along and yeah then I mean I had the

dreaded question probably upon my

brilliant German grammar anyway he asked

me where do you come from and I wrote

him from Syria one has to be on

it's tinder and and then he disappeared

into thin air so I stand here today to

say Christian if you're listening to me

please come back there's a world to

discover don't you think Rafi show me a

very famous German Syrian order wrote in

his book I need or shall I turn shafts

Naaman Snoodle salats

that he wants to live as an Arab but die

as German because for example in terms

of funerals Syrians tend to cry and

scream their hearts out

whereas Germans more East exchange some

food and coffee in their license mouse

why not really invest our energy in

building bridges that connect us

intellectually socially and emotionally

instead of setting them on fire mother

Teresa said if you judge people you have

no time to love them thank you

[Applause]