Our monthly seminar, titled 'My story with the Syrian revolution', was delivered on 29th January 2017 by Dr Yaser Aleiti. This seminar was via Skype from Istanbul, in which Dr Aleiti told his story with the Syrian regime and why he was politically motivated before the revolution and why he was detained by the Syrian regime in 2007.
We attended a pro-Assad event hosted by the Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! group at Manchester University's Catholic Chaplaincy and made a number of interventions to correct the misleading narrative advanced by the group on Syria.
We held our monthly free film screening of Maskoon (Haunted) at our community centre in Longsight, Manchester on Sunday 22 January. Maskoon explores the concept of a home – in a physical and in a metaphorical sense, and how one feels when forced to leave their home.
We joined 97 organisations in a statement on 23 January to call on Russia and Turkey to ensure that the Astana talks open humanitarian access and end fighting in Syria.
We attended an event on 20 January to meet Andy Burnham MP who is Labour's candidate for Mayor of Manchester. As Andy took questions from the audience, we asked him if he would commit to resettling Syrian refugees to Manchester under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme.
We attended a meeting of the Liverpool Trades Union Council on 19 January and delivered a brief presentation on Syria and how networks of solidarity could be built with the trades unions across the country. The attendees were extremely supportive of the Syrian people and we look forward to working with the LTUC on Syria initiatives.
We delivered a presentation on Syria to the Warrington Soroptimist Society on 17 January. We provided an overview of the situation in Syria and discussed ways that people can help. Nora Carlin from Refugee Aid NW also delivered a presentation more specifically on the humanitarian aspects of the Syrian conflict and the charitable work that the charity undertakes.
We met with Mike Kane MP in his constituency office on 13 January to discuss various issues pertaining to Syria. We focused on two core themes, the first pertaining to refugee support with Mr. Kane has a demonstrated track record, and secondly in finding a political solution in Syria.
We were invited to present our 'Voices From Syria' program at Didsbury mosque on 7th Jan 2017. Dr Haytham Alhamwi and Yasser Al Jassem spoke about their experiences of the conflict and informed the audience about what is happening in Syria and what people can do to help. Their stories bought tears to the eyes of many in the audience, receiving a wonderful level of support.
Rethink Rebuild Society
First Floor
Discovery House
Crossley Road
Manchester
SK4 5BH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 161 222 9779
Mobile: +44 7730 194083