Dear friends of Amina,
I am Amina Abdallah Araf al Omari’s cousin and have the following information to share.
Earlier today, at approximately 6:00 pm Damascus time, Amina was walking in the area of the Abbasid bus station, near Fares al Khouri Street. She had gone to meet a person involved with the Local Coordinating Committee and was accompanied by a friend.
Amina told the friend that she would go ahead and they were separated. Amina had, apparently, identified the person she was to meet. However, while her companion was still close by, Amina was seized by three men in their early 20’s. According to the witness (who does not want her identity known), the men were armed. Amina hit one of them and told the friend to go find her father.
One of the men then put his hand over Amina’s mouth and they hustled her into a red Dacia Logan with a window sticker of Basel Assad. The witness did not get the tag number. She promptly went and found Amina’s father.
The men are assumed to be members of one of the security services or the Baath Party militia. Amina’s present location is unknown and it is unclear if she is in a jail or being held elsewhere in Damascus.
I have just spoken with her father who is trying to locate her. He has asked me to share this information with her contacts in the hope that someone may know her whereabouts and so that she might be shortly released.
If she is now in custody, he is not worried about being in hiding and says he will do anything he can to free her. If anyone knows anything as to her whereabouts, please contact Abdallah al Omari at his home or please email me, Rania Ismail, at onepathtogod at gmail dot com.
We are hoping she is simply in jail and nothing worse has happened to her. Amina had previously sent me several texts to post should something happen to her and we will wait until we have definite word before doing so.
Salamat,
Rania O. Ismail
162 comments:
I am so sad to read this. Amina is a truly brave person. It would be helpful to raise awareness of what happened because the Syrian government is more sensitive to international opinion than it is letting on. The more media coverage this gets, the better off she will be.
Our thoughts are with her and you all.
Is there is anything someone outside Syria can do?
Desperately hope she'll be ok. Her bravery, along with many others is amazing.Please do let us know if there is anything non-Syrians can do. I have already shared this article, hoping it will gain some media attention.
My thoughts are with her and all her family and friends.
She has dual citizenship, right? Is there anything the US can do to put pressure on Syria to release her?
This is so sad and shocking. I do hope she will be released though.
We must keep her profile and what happened to her very visible as the regime will not harm her if they know that she is in the news. Please if anybody can pass this sad news to as many newspaper/journals/website/facebook/.... as possible.
We need to keep her in the NEWS PLEASE!
I am devastated to hear this. Amina is such an inspirational person. I do hope nothing bad happens to her..
She will be in my thoughts and prayers tonight.
@To all...we are all devasted so please spread the word out as much as you can. Thank you
support from italy
This is bad news indeed. I hope an important Newspaper reports about this soon...
Our prayers are with her, from the US and Yemen.
God protect her.
I've fallen in love with this blog and Amina's writings for the past few weeks, and I'm devastated to hear this. I'm sure that Amina will be in many people's thoughts and prayers tonight. She'll certainly be in mine.
This is awful. Please let us know what we can do.
Please report this to the US Consolate and other Govt. entities.
My best hopes for Amina and to you and her father - I can't imagine how worried you must be with this on top of everything else.
I will try to make noise about this in my small corner of the world.
~jess
Rania, can u email me at chilleary@voanews.com? I'd like an interview, thanks!
What we can do? Spreading the news of her abduction all over the world fast. On twitter (#FreeAmina) on facebook, per email etc. Publicity could save her. So spread, spread, spread!
It is very sad what happened to Amina,and even sadder how matters are in the Arab world.hope things improve if it will,under these powers.
Please let us know what we can do to help. i've just posted this news to all of my friends on facebook and asked that they do the same
Andrew Sullivan, who is one of the more influential bloggers just posted about Amina’s adduction.
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2011/06/the-evil-in-damascus-ctd.html
Some of my friends have already been through that. I hope she'll be fine, but if she goes through the same things they did, then she'll be out in a week or 2. It's strange that they just grabbed her like that. I haven't read this blog before so I don't know what kind of things she might have written...
Usually this is done to scare people rather than hurt them, and it is because of something she might have said or done. I'm completely against that, and I hope such acts will end fast, but I'm just saying that I think she'll be out soon...
I wish there was something I could do. She's in my thoughts
Hi, I'm French, I hope she's alright and that she will be released very soon. Governments should take position against her arrestation.
i will do everything i can from here in the US to help. since Amina seemed as prepared for this as anyone could be, did she leave any specific instructions for those advocating for her? i will be contacting the press and petitioning the US state department and president. please let me know what else i can do!! we love her!!
Friends who are in Europe and the US, you can start petitions addressed to your governments asking them to take measures against the syrian regime and to make pressures so that all prisoners are freed.
oh no..
So sad... she is a really brave person and a truly amazing blogger. hope
she will freed soon!
may God deliver her from the hands of those criminals
This is very horrible news. I hope it spreads.
Good luck and God be with you Amina. Where ever you are.
I am following this in New York via Sawt Al Niswa on Facebook. If it will help you to get the word out, please do not hesitate. Many people will support you and do whatever they can to bring pressure and publicity, if that's needed. Hoping for the best and sending support for Amina and her father, both so courageous and strong.
This is very bad news indeed.
Personally for her family.
It is also ironically even worse news for this evil Syrian Regime.
This arrest will be a step too far and could change US, UN, EU, and NATO attitudes, from ineffectual complaining, to much more active intervention. As the worlds support for the Libyan FF succeeds in the next few days, the world will be more united than ever in its willingness to intervene in helping civilians remove the despots!!!
Sad. May God protect her and give strength to her family and friends. Please post anything that the outside world can do.
This is very sad but let's hope she is okay. In solidarity.
too sad, not good. I hope she is found safe & well soon.
I hope she released safe and well soon.
I am full of admiration for those prepared to speak out when to do so places themselves at risk.
I do not think I could be so brave...
Thinking of Amina
Praying for comfort for her family until her location can be determined and her immediate release can be arranged.
- Heather L Ross
Good luck Amina
If she is a Lesbian activist and a dual US Syrian national then there needs to be outreach to the New York Gay Community, who may choose to demonstrate in front of the United Nations demanding her release. The political backlash against the Syrian Dictatorship for this arrest could be Huge if organized competently and thoroughly.
Kevin here from Dublin. If there's even a e-mail address for an interior ministry official, we can start a campaign to bombard the individual. If the thugs are aware of support behind Amina, the better her chances. Also the more support, the more likely that others will join in, embassies etc.
It has probably been done already, but I'll contact Al Jazeera. And see about sending messages to Syrian embassies.
Praying for her and her family.
الله يرجعها لكم بالسلامة
قلوبنا معاكم
اتمنى الوالد ما يتهور و ينتبه على صحته
شدة و تزول
what's a Dacia Logan?
REALLY sad to read this just now. I have posted this on my FB, with a link to her blog: "Please think of AMINA and make people aware. She was taken today at 6pm by either the security services or the Baath Party Militia. Her blog from Syria has been incredible beyond words." Keep her name alive. Make people aware.
Please, everyone in Syria, make researchs on how the Military Governments of Argentina and Chile used to operated and how they used to repressed anyone against them or that could be against them. It's called the Dirty War.
It's imperative to civilians to be extremely careful and to don't trust anyone they don't know.
Latin America has suffered that for to long during the 70s and 80s. Argentina alone had more than 30.000 dead/missing people, and 3 time that number that had suffered Torture.
Good luck, and be careful in this dark hours. You are not alone, that world is listening.
My prayers go out to Amina, to you and the rest of her family. If there is anything we can do to help please just say the word.
Kidnapping a woman on the open street is something that should not happen - nowhere in this world.
I hope she will return home - my hopes are with her and her family.
My thought go out to you Amina, I have contacted the State Department and brought your plight to their attention
I began to fear for her when the Internet went down for a day and then came back. I thought the regime might be putting in a new software infrastructure in order to trace bloggers and other net users.
The email address for the Syrian Embassy in Washington is consular@syrembassy.net. Please send them a short email letting them know that you are an American citizen and that you support human rights. Tell them that you have heard about the kidnapping and ask them what they intend to do about it.
thank you for spreading the word, rania. we're here in brooklyn, ny keeping you and amina and your families in our hearts...
xoxoxo
My thoughts are with you Amina and all the brave souls sacrificing for freedom. I fell in love with your blog and I hope to read more of your thoughts and take on life, the universe and so on...
this is so sad, we should all do something to help her and help her family.
I am heartsick at Amina's abduction. I pray that she is returned to her life, her work, and her family, unharmed.
Terrible news - my deepest sympathy to the people of Syria in this difficult and frightening time. I hope that Amina may be found safe and well.
I have written to the Syrian Embassy as suggested by Bob Gookin above. The text of my email is here: http://www.benjaminrosenbaum.com/blog/archives/2011_06.html#000880
Besides contacting U.S. officials (for what it's worth), can you post phone numbers and email addresses of Syrian authorities to whom we can direct appeals and protests?
for the people of Ireland and Britain sent an email to info@syrianembassy.co.uk and ask them if they know the whereabouts of Amina Abdallah could they leave her parents know. any more suggestions anyone? bombard all the syrian embassies worldwide with requests of her whereabouts.
To her kidnappers reading this ... you do know that the United States Empire is looking for every excuse to overrun the entire region. For centuries the demon who runs the hunger of conquest has used to tools of divide and conquer. Gender is one of the factors used to divide and conquer. Youre falling into the demons teeth, when you treat your own like this. Syria is part of the invasion plan, and has been for over 20 years.
Don't let Obama use Amina for Imperial interests, let her go before it is too late.
I pray Aminah is quickly returned safely to her family.
That is where she belongs
A sad thing. This is how people are treated all over the world for speaking out and going against the infrastructures set in place. Prayers going out from my heart for Amina. The struggle continues all over the world. I will keep retreating this and find out how to post it to Facebook.
I hope she'll be ok! So sad to see a follow LGBT person abducted like that! Our thoughts go to her!
We will not remain silent. Amina is an example of courage and bravoury. These regime thugs don't understand that they can't silence us. When they arrest 1 blogger, 10 new blogs will mushroom up.
Our thoughts to her
May Amina be free very soon, together with thousands of others. And may Syria be free, too.
I am not gay, I am not believing in any God and I live in a country where people are free to love whoever they want to love (in France). Though I feel very sad for Amina, because I think it is horrible to be sent to jail (or worse) because of your sexual tendencies. Religions should never interfere in governments.
To believe in God (catholic god, Allah, Buddhah or whatever) is something that should make you happy and feel great : GOD IS NOT SOMETHING TO BE SCARED OF, like Hebatullah said. For those who believe in HIM, God is love, God is happiness, God means sharing and God is a way to comfort yourself when you're sad or lonely.
God must be your bestfriend, your confident but not your enemy.
In France, gay people can live freely even if they still don't have the right to get married and have kids, but we're fighting for them to get this right !
The path to happiness is not easy, keep hoping, keep asking rights, keep on being yourselves.
Best wishes to you all. I hope one day Amina and all gay people will be able to walk hands in hands in Damascus. And fuck those who don't like it ;) Xeres
everbody please use the hashtag #freeamina on twitter...
@ Anonymous ."We will not remain silent"
You are silent. By staying anonymous, you appear as silent, and vague.
I am so sad Amina.I hope you 'll be free quickly and safe.
Amina - I hope you and all our compatriots will be free soon - Karim.
Please everybody ask to your representatives to make pressure on the Syrian ambassadors in your country to ask the immediate release of Amina.
Thank you.
FREE AMINA !
Amina - The thoughts and hearts and prayers of many people all over the world are with you and with all Syrians seeking to live your lives in freedom and dignity and without fear of your government. May this be the darkness before the dawn.
To be sure this is deplorable and if anything suggests more about the sense of intimidation and inertia that a certain quarter of the population is feeling. Funny how a revolution about freedom in Tunisia a few months ago can inspire dread amongst men in Syria when a woman chooses to live outside the patriarchal and ideological constructs of a demented regime, never mind when she begins documenting it openly….
http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2011/06/lesbian-blogger-kidnapped-in-syria/
I hope she's Ok, and that she'll be free soon !
Hopefully these dark times shall pass.....
Sometimes i feel we're still living in medieval ages !!!!!!
I pray for Amina and all Syrians who are abducted by Assad's forces and who are risking their lives for the freedom of their country.
with love from Palestine
I hope nothing but best and hope that Amina is found safe and sound. My heart goes to Amina's family who must be worried sick. What Amina is doing is brave and may she be free soon.
Amina, it is my dream to drink coffee with you in a free Damascus. Two out lesbians, both half West Half Middle east, one Muslim one Christian.
I perhaps have a way to help from the inside. My prayers are with you Sister,
Samira xx
Use the hashtag #FreeAmina at the page of Damascus on facebook(is just mention @Dasmascus and the rashtag)lets make people notice and talk about we can not be silent.
We've set an event in Yerevan, Armenia to stand up for her! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151272514945436
We're with her!
I re-posted your beautiful poem to my Facebook account along with a link to your blog. Spread awareness, everyone. Link to this blog in all ways possible. The more light people shine upon those who commit atrocities, the more difficult for them to perpetuate crimes in impunity.
Amina and her loving family, you are all in my prayers! Your story has been picked up by al-Jazeera English, http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/2011671229558865.html , who brought the Egyptian revolution into the living rooms of millions of people world wide. I hope the same people who followed AJE then will follow now and let the Syrian government know that their human rights violations will not be tolerated.
xoxo
#FreeAmina
What will the cowards that kidnapped her say when at the moment after their last breath they stand in judgment before the one living God?
They will be adjudged accursed, and rightly so. Allah will not forget - or forgive.
Be strong, Amina
Amina,
tengo tu misma edad, soy lesbiana y, como tú, lucho cada día para hacer este mundo mejor.
Te mando toda mi fuerza desde Madrid
Our thoughts are for you, Amina. Your words give us a lot. I hope from out of Syria we can give back a bit, using the web to help you back free.
Good luck
C from Wales. If you police guys are reading this then let her go.
All my best wishes and support from portugal.
I hope she is let go without harm.
Also everyone needs to becareful when you are in foreign country.
http://NicolletPost.com
im writting from spain, i read the article in the newspaper here. its awful what is happening with his girl. i think there are a lot gays there who dont dare to express their feelings. help as much as you can this poor girl.she does not deserve this, neither her familly. she is also united states citizen. please help her.
my support from Spain.
praying for her safety..
I am a regular reader of Amina's blog and was greatly disturbed to read of her kidnapping. She is a truly courageous and gifted woman and an inspiration to all people fighting injustice and oppression around the world. I wish, in this short comment, to offer you my comfort and support such as they are. And to convey my hopes for her security and safe return.
Be strong Amina wherever you are. very disturbing indeed. Why Syrian govt is silent about this matter. Lets put more pressure on Syrian govt to do something about it. Amina we suffer with you. Aluta Continua!!!!
Anonymous
Tradução do português para inglês
Amina: Poor
not accept the freedom of people, we are all human beings, not object that has dono.Espero providences of the Syrian authorities to release it la.sou Brazilian and I hope to see her in the family libredade.que Anime have peace.
it is al abbaseen square.
please stop all the lies about syria
It is good advice to inundate the US Embassy in Damascus, The Syrian Embassy in NY (UN) and The Syrian Embassy in Washington as a dual national they should be able to raise this matter.
But good luck with that.
http://www.france24.com/en/20110607-blogger-gay-girl-damascus-goes-missing-amina-omari-abdallah-al-araf-syria
SUPPORT FROM SPAIN. FREE AMINA NOW!
My thoughts are with your family and with Amina. I truly hope she is well.
#FREEAMINA
I have just come to learn about Amina a few minutes ago and was extremely moved by her mission. It's disheartening to know that she is missing, but at the same time it's very uplifting to know that she has the support of so many people. It's for people like her, who are willing to sacrifice their own security in order to uphold the truth, that makes fighting worthwhile.
She has absolute support and blessings from India.
solidarity and support from Portland, Oregon. when i read this i felt so stricken with panic for her. i'm crying as i write this. i hope that she is released.
my prayers and support goes out to Amina. i truly hope she will be okay.
Love and support from Dublin, Ireland. I hope you are back to blogging soon. Your brave voice is inspiring minds and promoting peace and acceptance all over the globe and I hope you will continue very soon!LET HER GO!
Petition:
Urgent call for the immediate release of Syrian blogger Amina Arraf
http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/freeamina
merci pour vos signatures
aïcha arnaout
STRENGHT AND COURAGE FROM ITALY TO THIS BRAVE WONDERFUL GIRL. We were made to love, nobody should judge love, or try to stop it with violence. *
Be strong, Amina... Thinking of you.
The world is seeing this. Free Amina!
love and support from Haifa Israel' HOPE WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN.
Free Amina! and if she indeed has dual citizenship let's hope the Syrian security thugs pay attention.. Let's make sure that the US human rights, feminists and LGTB movements are taking her disparition in their concerns and that they mpunt as campaign to free amina with the Obama administration. Thank you Rania to have become the relay, a deep thank you. And for us all let's keep watch with him and all the loved ones of Amina.
STRENGHT AND COURAGE TO YOU AMINA. JUST THE GOD CAN JUDGE YOU nobody else, YA BACHAR YA KHARASTOP DOING THIS WITH YOUR PEOPLE.
I too have written to the Syrian Embassy. Let's see if there is any response!
We are praying for you and spreading the word.
Prayers from us here in Wales Uk.
As a US citizen, I will do everything I can personally to put pressure on everybody I can here to help. This is a small thing, but it is something. Everybody with a US citizenship, call your State and Federal Representative, Congressman, etc.... She is a US citizen. I am a christian, but that means nothing. There is a human who needs help. We must help her!
I pray that you are safe and will be freed soon. I admire you so much for being so fearless, for risking so much for your right to express yourself honestly and passionately, even if the regime doesn't want to hear it. Thank you for this blog, for your courage, for being who you are. They are afraid of your words and afraid of the truth.
You know, as an American who is not publicizing your problem to the world trying to help you out of this pickle you have yourself in with Assad.
I've been reading all the America hating/Jooo conspiracy crap you've written on this blog.
And I still think you should be freed.
Now remember who came to help you. Conservative Americans and Jews.
Ironic no?
We could just as easily ignore you, if we are as you accuse us.
Hmmmmfff!
Error, the first line should read,
"is publicizing."
You are a true hero .A true servant of god (Abdallah).
non prego perchè non sono credente, ma spero con tutto il cuore che Amina possa riabbracciare la sua famiglia e i suoi amici il prima possibile.
solidarity from italy
I sincerely hope they find her too. She is a beacon of light that the middle east can't afford to lose.
God save such a soul. Though her place in Heaven is surely reserved, I in my human ignorance wish very badly for her to continue her work on this earth. As an American, I am deeply touched by Amina's blog posts, her drive for justice and her compassion for the downtrodden. Full disclosure: I am an American who only discovered this wonderful blog due to the terrible circumstances of Amina's abduction. However, Amina's words have inspired my faith in peace and the triumph of love. My thoughts and prayers are with Amina and her family, and I hope and pray that she will be returned safely to her loved ones.
Sincerely,
R.E.D.
I support you. It is disgusting what these cowards will do to those who act in away out of wack with their "faith." This should be widely publiscised so international pressure can be built up.
Howie: A rather smarmy message don't you think? So grudging, is that really the type of attitude your religion teaches you?
It is the bloody regime, who else do you think did it. We will continue protesting until we liberate our country from this regime and liberate all Syrian people from this killing machine.
Amina, I am a Christian living in the U.S. and I am praying for you and sharing your story with others, urging them to pray also. I pray for your release and that God will protect you, give you strength, and fill you with peace and hope during this time. I have not read all of the posts on your blog, but I believe that you deserve to openly choose your individual lifestyle without fear of harm or threat on your life.
We are all here with you-we do hope that you are in good health we are all waiting for good news. And we all support your good cause.
support from israel
Support from Scotland; keep this in the news. Have been to Syria and the West Bank; beautiful land, beautiful people; enjoyed the blog and wish to see Amina free soon.
Support from Italy...ti ritroveremo!
I hope Amina is freed unharmed, and that her and her family (and every family in Syria) gets a break. Best wishes from Ireland.
For god sake .. didn't u see all the people who asking you to post this are using anonymous ?? and they are asking for Europe and USA to get involved ?? can't you see it's just to effect on ur opinion ?? oh and btw in which jail she's ?? if in 31 may 2011 there was presidential order to release all prisoners and who's in jail right now is the one who used the gun against the civilian people and the Syrian army .. open ur eyes and see the facts .. and with all respect but i don't think that Amina in jail right now or anywhere more then her home and i doubt that amina knows anything about this blog .. if it's her orginialy so it's hacked and i doubt she put that
Da Repubblica: "Nessuno dei contatti della comunità LGBT siriana - che pure vive in clandestinità essendo l'omosessualità proibita in Siria - ha mai incontrato Amina di persona o ne conosce la famiglia. Nessuno dei giornali che in queste ore hanno tentato di mettersi in contatto con i familiari di Amina sembrano aver avuto successo. La stessa asserita "partner" di Amina, una canadese di nome Sandra Bagaria, ha dichiarato oggi al New York Times di aver sempre parlato con la giovane blogger siriana solo via email, di non essere mai riuscita a vederla su Skype, pur dicendosi assolutamente certa della sua esistenza perché dice di avere centinaia di sue email e molte fotografie.
Sulla pagina Facebook creata per Amina - non si sa da chi, probabilmente dalla stessa Bagaria - sono comparse alcune foto di una giovane attraente e con alcune caratteristiche somatiche molto definite. Ieri sera, dopo aver visto la foto pubblicata sul sito del Guardian, una donna inglese ha diffuso una nota stampa sostenendo di essere lei la donna nelle foto."
E se Amina fosse un gigante FAKE?
There is NO ONE who has ever met Amina in real life...What about if it's a big FAKE?
http://www.tweetdeck.com/twitter/acarvin/~zMjfv
support from Almería (Spain)
Do we have any news about Amina? This is getting to the point of ridiculous now...
الله معكم
Sending prayers your way. This is horrifying. Will post to increase media attenion.
An article on the French information site Rue89 : http://www.rue89.com/2011/06/08/amina-blogueuse-lesbienne-de-damas-kidnappee-en-pleine-rue-208363
Support from France
I hope for the best for Amina, her family and those that love her. I emailed the Syrian Embassy here in Washington, D.C. Hopefully knowing that the world is watching will help Amina and others like her receive more just treatment.
Support from Spain .We all wish Amina is soon with her dear family and friends.We need to inform IA about this.All our love and hope.
From Spain we followed the news of the kidnapping on the part of the Syria Forces of Security. We go has to do what we pruned from here for its liberation. Our at the moment so hard support to its family.
I will light a candle for her SAFE return!
Amina does not exist
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43326770/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/
You have all been trolled by Mossad.
me pone muy triste que sigan pasando estas barbaridades,mis mejores deseos para Amina, su familia y todos los sirios que están sufriendo
(4) After the revolution and Amina's sexual adventures, the third most popular subject on the blog is the loss and occupation of the Joulan and Syria's "neighbor to the southwest". Using this as a backdrop, Amina attacks the 1967 Syrian government and Bashar's father (although he was not the premier at the time) for surrendering without putting up a fight (which is partially true) and deflects attention away from the current situation in Syria. Discrediting Assad Sr. does not seem like something a pro-government phantom blogger would do, but it does serve to appeal to a long-standing Syrian peeve and would get Amina some credibility. On the other hand, Amina argues this week that the Naksa protests were not supported by Assad but took advantage of the lack of control by government forces, which is certainly what Assad would like us to think.
POINT: Many an Arab dictator (maybe most of them other than Mubarak and the Hashemite Royal Family) has tried to deflect attention from disastrous domestic management toward vilifying Israel. Surely ordinary Syrians don't have a surplus of good will for Israel but this seems strange in the context of the blog's main themes.
(5) Timing: Why has it taken so long for the administration to pick her up? Even seems that the blog has been leading up to the arrest in the last week or so, with the post about cutting her nails so that they can't be yanked Syriana-style, and inking her name and ID on her arm and back.
POINT: The Assad administration would like all the young Syrian bloggers and facebookers to think that they are about to be arrested and tortured. For Amina's sake I hope that the apparent end to her blog also signals the near end of Assad and friends.
Amina, you did a fine job on this blog and kept me riveted. Even if your name is really Captain Firas, you wear a sweater with epaulets, you work out of a windowless office in downtown Damascus, and you miss your job as an attache in the Syrian embassy in a large US city - I thank you.
We might never know whether Amina is real or just a clever ploy by one of several Syrian مخابرات entities, but consider the following:
(1) Despite Amina's oft-repeated insistence that Syria or Arab people in general aren't homophobes, well, they are, just like most of the rest of the world. Show me one successful popular movement anywhere in the world that has been pro-LGBT. And given the fixation on female chastity among even secular Muslims, I would expect even less tolerance for gay females in Syria.
POINT: The Assad administration has an interest in having the Syrian Spring identified with such an unpopular sexual orientation. Wasn't it strange to see a blog that gave nearly equal time to political analysis as to the steamy details of the writer's first lesbian sexual experience? And, Amina makes it a point to tell us that she was married to an Arab man, wore a headscarf, and then dropped both when she met her first female partner. Must send shivers down an Arab parent's spine.
(2) A recurring point in the Arab revolutionary position is that foreign influence in the process is unwanted. Amina tells us she was born in the US, she attended college in the US, she came out in the US, her first female partner was American, and (as emphasized in a post just last week) considers herself a Syrian-American "binational". And the writing is clearly that of an American and not a typical Syrian.
POINT: The Assad administration has an interest in having the revolution perceived as driven by non-Syrians and American-influenced Syrians.
(3) In the "My Father the Hero" post, Amina is almost arrested and her father talks the government agents out of raping her, and they slink off shame-facedly. POINT: The Assad administration would like people to think that its people might be a little heavy-handed but in the end they have traditional values, don't want to hurt innocent people, and respect the elders. Not having personally encountered Syrian government agents, I had trouble buying this story.
[CON'T]
Is this blog a hoax?
Yes it is. A hoax and nothing more!
YOU'VE BEEN RICKROLLED!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
:-D
Today a Londoner has announced that photos and details of Amina are actually her own. Increasingly it is being said that she may not exist:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43326770/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-06-08-american-blogger-identity-questioned-syria_n.htm
Amina Arraf sounds like CIA sock puppet designed to create resentment and ensure regime change if I've ever heard of one.
A completely fraudulent blog from the very outset - and a very gullible public sucked into a good piece of fiction.
I could not agree more. This is a sick way to get attention. Did you seriously expect to get away with this?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43326770/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/
Found this page on twitter. I'm shocked! I'm waiting for her release and what she has to tell the world. Hope she's only held. God!
watch watch watchhh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGL5rXTwKmc
This is a hoax you morons. She wanted traffic to her blog- she is getting it.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2001186/Does-kidnapped-U-S-lesbian-blogger-Amina-Arraf-Syria-actually-exist.html
Seems a bit off really...
Our thoughts are with you Amina, hope you return safe soon.
I hope who ever this person is, is safe. But the question is; Just who is this person? It's very much possible she could be lying in a hospital bed or jail cell and others have seen her because others are looking for the wrong face or likeness and name. Has anyone ever met this missing person?
See the following
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43326770/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/
Hello from Boston Ma. My friends and I have been following this blog for awhile as we find it moving in many ways. We think she is a very brave and talented woman. We have also forwarded a petition to everyone we know to sign it for her release.
May all the gods ( or just the humane)we all worship take notice.
Boston
there's just a hope..... hope.. she'll B back...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A Muslim liberal? It's an obvious hoax, how could you fall for it?
Saying hello from the US, Minnesota and thinking of Amina. I know about the fake photos but I suspect those are a red herring meant to divert and confuse. I mean really why would anyone pretend to be a Muslim lesbian in Damascus? This is a beautiful blog that could only come from the heart of someone real. I hope Amina comes home soon and safe.
What a strange story! Read and use your brain people: witness who does not want her identity known!!! **** Amina hit one of them and told the friend to go find her father ***
Hustled her into a red Dacia Logan with a window sticker of Basel Assad !!! but she did remember see The witness did not get the tag number ???
Think: Why security people will put such STICKER? And do you think they drive with TAG number?
If anyone use a bit of the brain cell, wouldn’t believe such CRAP and lies?
WAKE UP PEOPLE !!!! LOLOLOL
Dear Admin, This joke must stop now, we challenge you to publish a single photo of Amina.. Amina does not exist and the character was created by a bunch of girls living in Lebanon headed by Rana....., well done girls... nice joke.. stop now or we will be obliged to publish your names and pictures.... you are misleading some honest people.. you have deleted my previous comments in Arabic. If you delete this comment we will be obliged to publish your names and pictures on one of the most popular blogs on earth...
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