I received this response from Nour about Akram's dispatch from Syria about sectarianism in Damascus. I must confess that Akram was rather reluctant to have me post it but I persuaded him that I should. I should note that Akram is very careful and he works hard to check his facts. I may not agree with Akram on everything but of all the folks in Syria who have written to me, I find his take and dispatches to me most useful and reliable. Here is Nour's response:
"I have to criticize the post by Akram regarding the alleged employment of "Shiite" men by security forces who are insulting "Sunni" passers-by. Does anyone really believe that the security forces are going to employ such methods when they can only increase hatred toward the regime and make things more complicated for them? Many Damascenes, who also happen to be "Sunni", support the regime, or at least oppose this "revolution." Why would the regime do something to alienate all its supporters. I am not doubting that Akram did hear something like that from a friend, but these are narratives given by extremists to incite further hatred, similar to how narratives were being fabricated in Lebanon to create hatred toward Palestinians and Syrians, as well as hatred between the various sects. It is dangerous to help them propagate these stories, when they can only lead to the worsening of the situation in Syria."
"I have to criticize the post by Akram regarding the alleged employment of "Shiite" men by security forces who are insulting "Sunni" passers-by. Does anyone really believe that the security forces are going to employ such methods when they can only increase hatred toward the regime and make things more complicated for them? Many Damascenes, who also happen to be "Sunni", support the regime, or at least oppose this "revolution." Why would the regime do something to alienate all its supporters. I am not doubting that Akram did hear something like that from a friend, but these are narratives given by extremists to incite further hatred, similar to how narratives were being fabricated in Lebanon to create hatred toward Palestinians and Syrians, as well as hatred between the various sects. It is dangerous to help them propagate these stories, when they can only lead to the worsening of the situation in Syria."
