LIVONIA — The focus of the crisis in Syria has shifted over the last few years.

Initially, attention centered on addressing massive calls for democracy and human rights, but today Syrians seem to be more worried about fighting terrorism. 

Since the uprisings first struck Syria in 2011, the power of Al Qaeda linked terrorist groups has expanded. 

“Every human strives for democracy and human rights, but the Syrian conflict is no longer about freedom or liberty.  It is about fighting terrorists,” said Osama Abihhana, a local Arab American who was part of a large crowd that gathered Saturday, Dec. 28 at Burton Manor in Livonia for an event featuring Dr. Bashar Jaafari, the Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations. 

Archbishop Louka Al-Khouri, deputy patriarch of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, and Syria’s Grand Mufti Ahmad Hassoun addressed the crowd via Skype. 

Those who attended the event, which was organized by the Syrian American Forum (SAF), are supporters of Syria’s President Bashar Al-Assad and alligned against the opposition. 

The SAF is a group formed to educate the Syrian community and the general public as to political, social and economic events occurring in the United States and Syria. 

The group held a similar event in August featuring Dr. Jaafari and Al-Khouri at Greenfield Manor in Dearborn that attracted about 400 attendees. 

“Over the past two and a half years we have watched our beloved Syria, destabilized by violence, civilian strife, and regional sabotage by nations we once called our friends,” said Natalie Deeb. “Today, we watch from our televisions the slow and systematic destruction of a country renowned for its history and geographical beauty. We have always stated that it is only through dialogue, amongst Syrians themselves, that their aspirations for progress can be achieved.”

Dr. Jaafari says he looks forward to the upcoming talks in Geneva because dialogue is important in addressing and resolving the conflict. 

Dr. Jaafari noted the massive effect the conflict has had on the regional and national level.

Dr. Bashar Jaafari, Syria’s ambassador to the United Nations.

He said the Syrian army would defeat all terrorists, regardless of who their supporters are or what organizations they are affiliated with. 

Al-Khouri and Hassoun both pushed for interfaith unity among people of all faiths. 

Manar Kodamah, a volunteer for the SAF, says the ongoing conflict in Syria is not between different religious sects. According to her, Syria’s history is proof of that, because for thousands of years, different religious groups have lived peacefully together.

“Syria is the motherland to everyone,” Hassoun said. 

Guests waved Syrian and Lebanese flags in the air, and some held up signs bearing Assad’s face. 

“If there was somebody better to take over Syria, then it would be fine, but there isn’t. The opposition in Syria is linked to terrorists groups such as Al Qaeda. How can we let them run the country? No, I don’t think so,” said Jamileh Saleh, an Arab American from Canton. 

Nearly 350 supporters of Syria’s Assad gathered at Burton Manor.

“We cannot afford for him to leave. He’s the only one holding the country together.” 

She says that before the crisis struck Syria, the country was one of the safest in the region, but it is now among the most dangerous. 

Jamileh said having the opposition come to power would threaten the safety of minority groups such as the Shia, Alawites and Christians. 

“We are going through dark days, but we are strong and through God’s help we will make it,” Al-Khouri said. 

He urged people to continue standing by Assad. 

Dr. Jaafari said only in Syria is the advisor to the mufti a Christian, and that Syria has citizens who speak the ancient Aramaic language of Christ.  

He criticized the Gulf nations of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, saying they have no credibility to question Syria about democracy when a Saudi citizen received a 30-year jail sentence after calling for the withdrawal of Saudi troops from Bahrain. 

Speaking about Qatar, he said one poet received a 15 year prison sentence for criticizing the emir and his family.  

Archbishop Louka Al-Khour, deputy patriarch of the Antiochian Orthodox Church and Syria’s Grand Mufti Ahmad Hasson addressed the crowd via Skype.

Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News, requested a moment of silence for all the martyrs in Syria. He also asked everyone to remember those struggling as a result of the conflict including orphans and refugees.

Siblani said that those committing acts of terrorism in Syria and around the world in the name of Islam do not represent the faith.

Since the start of the Syrian conflict the Arab American community has been divided between those who support Assad and those on the side of the opposition. 

Days after Jaafari’s visit to metro Detroit, two Syrian activists opposed to Assad’s regime spoke at the Troy Community Center. 

According to the Free Press, activists Razan Ghazzawi and Raed Fares said they and others are increasingly under attack by a group related to Al Qaeda that is making the environment for women in the country unwelcoming. 

The activists said that they were previously targeted by the Syrian government and now find themselves fighting Al-Qaeda. 

Many Arab Americans at the event featuring Dr. Jaafari said they believe things in Syria are getting better, while others say it is only worsening. 

“We are still extremely worried. It seems the foreign extremist fighters are coming from all over the world. It’s never ending. We wish it would calm down, but the fact is it’s getting worse. The opposition is recruiting more people to fight on the ground,” Abihhana said. 

Redford resident Nourhan Mahmoud,19, has family living in Syria and says she is keeping a close eye on the situation there. 

She says a lot of times the media can blind many as to what is really happening in Syria, and that is why it is important to keep advising and educating people on the situation. 

“You have to be open minded on both sides and listen to both arguments,” she said. 

She believes things in Syria have calmed down and believes the situation there will slowly get better. 

“I think the Syrian people, they are right now looking at the two or three year event and they are realizing this is not the revolution they wanted and the revolution was hijacked. I think eventually the world will know exactly what’s going on in Syria,” Abihhana said.