Social Media Monitor: Syrians Divided Over Morsi’s Ousting

The ousting of Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi on Wednesday, July 3, caused divisions among Syrians.

In an interview with the government-owned daily Al-Thawra, President Bashar al-Assad declared that what happened in Egypt was “simply the fall of so-called political Islam.” He added that it was “the fall of the type of government with which the Muslim Brotherhood have tried to convince people not only in Egypt,” hinting that this was the end of the prospect of political Islam in Syria, too.

The Muslim Brotherhood in Syria defended what they said was Morsi’s “legitimacy”, a term that has been used by the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and their supporters. They tweeted:

“We refuse the coup against legitimacy, and if there were elections in Syria after the fall of the regime everybody should accept [their results] and no one should have the right to overturn them.”

Some Twitter users responded angrily to this statement.

"@lamisK: You will never learn; you are sheep, and you'll remain the followers of the biggest sheep, their guide." @SyrianJasmine: Who are you to decide what is acceptable and what is not? @Soloooo100: Learn Morsi's lesson well. I'm not against you, but your history is full of farces."

“@lamisK: You will never learn; you are sheep, and you’ll remain the followers of the biggest sheep, their guide.”
@SyrianJasmine: Who are you to decide what is acceptable and what is not?
@Soloooo100: Learn Morsi’s lesson well. I’m not against you, but your history is full of farces.”

Syrian writer Ahmad Daadouch, who lives in Qatar, wrote a Facebook statement in which he showed sympathy to Morsi, and criticized those who called on other Syrians in Egypt not to participate in the demonstrations to support Morsi.

"There was a Syrian having fun at the alcohol demonstrations in Taksim Square, but today he's advising his friends in Egypt not to head to Rabiaa Al-Adawiyya square in order to preserve the independence of the Syrian cause!"
“There was a Syrian having fun at the alcohol demonstrations in Taksim Square, but today he’s advising his friends in Egypt not to head to Rabiaa Al-Adawiyya square in order to preserve the independence of the Syrian cause!”

Ghalia al-Qayyani, a member of the pro-opposition League of Syrian Journalists, commented on her Facebook page, praising anti-Morsi demonstrators in Tahrir Square, as well as the Egyptian Army, which has protected them, unlike what the army has done in Syria.

Aljazeera’s Syrian Palestinian journalist Dima Khatib tweeted, expressing her surprise that supporters of the Assad regime are encouraging demonstrations against Morsi’s regime, while those who stand with the Syrian revolution defend Morsi’s legitimacy.

Sharia Council in Aleppo prevents women from going out unveiled

The Sharia Council in Aleppo’s Ferdous quarter issued a decision last week that banned Muslim women from going outside their home unveiled. The decision also prohibits women from wearing make-up or tight clothes.

 Syrian Kurdish activist Dilshad Othman reposted the decree, suggesting that it was a “failure” of the revolution.

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Writer Dalaa Mufti wrote the following tweet criticizing chaos in Syria:

"…Syria has become a place where anybody can do whatever they want."
“…Syria has become a place where anybody can do whatever they want.”

Real estate records in Homs burnt

Activists accused government forces of deliberately targeting the real estate registry building in Homs by setting it on fire in order to prepare for the transfer of property ownership to supporters of the regime.

A battle erupted in Homs nine days ago, and, according to reports, government forces are clamping down on rebel strongholds in the city.

Activist and actress Louise Abdulkareem urged people to preserve the documents that prove ownership of their property and, where possible, send them to UN. She wrote on her Facebook page, saying:

“…The fascist regime is issuing forged ownership deeds in the names of its supporters, especially in Homs and its surroundings.
Please circulate this among local coordination committees, reporters and satellite channels as soon as possible.”

 

Activist Naji Darwish considered this alleged act as a sign for plans to divide Syria. He wrote on his Facebook page, saying:

"If it is true that the real estate registry in Homs was burnt, then there's a dangerous map of Syria that some are trying to draw."
“If it is true that the real estate registry in Homs was burnt, then there’s a dangerous map of Syria that some are trying to draw.”

Angelina Jolie adopts a Syrian child

Unfconfirmed reports suggest that American actress and UNHCR special envoy Angelina Jolie wants to adopt a Syrian child from the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan.

 In a statement on Facebook, Activist Eiad Charbaji praised Jolie, saying that she has visited Zaatari camp more than any member of the Syrian National Coalition, and given Syrian refugees more than what Arab and international organizations have.

A Facebook user named Sahar Marawi Koudssi commented on this statement, saying:

"With all due respect and appreciation for her and her humaneness…this child will be happier if he is returned to his country and language…we have only you, God. Nobody's sympathy will do us any good."

“With all due respect and appreciation for her and her humaneness…this child will be happier if he is returned to his country and language…we have only you, God. Nobody’s sympathy will do us any good.”

Journalist Maisa Akbik tweeted, saying:

"If Angelina Jolie is going to adopt one Syrian child, who will adopt the remaining twenty million [Syrians]…?"
“If Angelina Jolie is going to adopt one Syrian child, who will adopt the remaining twenty million [Syrians]…?”