Several organizations and civil entities expressed their solidarity with the Violet organization operating in northern Syria, after it was summoned by the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) in Idlib and its activities were suspended following an event organized by the entity.
The Paralympic Games event in Idlib, organized by Violet organization, received solidarity and encouragement from humanitarian organizations and workers. The event was seen as supporting activities that highlight the region and convey the voice of “life” that has been exhausted by years of war.
The Shafak organization expressed its solidarity via Facebook, stating, “We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in humanitarian work at the Violet organization. We support those with high spirits to achieve their dreams and ambitions.”
The Bahar organization also affirmed its solidarity and support for the relief and humanitarian efforts of the Violet organization.
The Ataa Humanitarian Relief Association also expressed its solidarity with the “people of determination representing the strength and hope of society.”
Other organizations that declared their solidarity include Ihsan Relief and Development, al-Sham Humanitarian Foundation, Midmar Organization, and Horan Humanitarian Foundation.
The Director of the Molham Volunteering Team, Atef Nanoua, also expressed his solidarity, stating, “After the (Violet organization) festival, we were encouraged to invite several figures to larger events at the municipal stadium. However, it turned out to be easy to intimidate people and make them think a lot before taking such a step.” He affirmed his support for the Violet organization.
Syrian doctor and humanitarian activist Mohamad Katoub criticized the attack on the event and the organization via Facebook.
Katoub questioned, “Isn’t the region witnessing arrests, killings, and mistreatment of people, and the activities of war trade networks led by the (HTS) leader (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) not forbidden, while having an event that supports an important community group and highlights their cause is forbidden!”
According to a clarification statement issued by the Violet organization’s Board of Trustees and published by its director Dr. Qutaiba Sayed Issa, the organization’s aim for the event was to promote sportsmanship and solidarity with the beloved “people with high spirits” (people with disabilities) and to convey their plight to the world. There was no intention to imitate unfamiliar cultural symbols inherent to the authentic Syrian society and environment.
The Paralympic Games event, held on August 26 at the Municipal stadium in Idlib, included a celebratory festival that some found against the culture and customs, with Western-like symbols not fitting or representing the community. It was described by scholars and preachers as “objectionable and blasphemous.”
Preacher Abdul Razaq al-Mahdi demanded that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which controls the region militarily, immediately activate the Hisbah department, and stated that the festival included many “forbidden acts.”
On August 28, the Salvation Government in Idlib issued a statement stating that what happened at the event was against the culture, customs, and traditions.
The Public Relations Manager at the Ministry of Development and Humanitarian Affairs, Tarek al-Ali, stated that the Violet organization had submitted a project for “sports activities for people with disabilities” and obtained approval for it as a sports event.
He added that during the project execution, the organization held a festive event outside its specialty, requiring special procedures and referral to the political affairs administration, causing numerous violations contrary to our culture, customs, and traditions.
Due to these “violations,” the organization was summoned, warned, and directed to suspend all activities, said al-Ali, promising that the ministry will work to re-regulate such events to ensure the continued facilitation of the work of organizations while preventing recurrence of such violations.
The Salvation Government, composed of 11 ministries, controls various aspects of life in Idlib province, part of northern Hama, and part of western Aleppo, both administratively and financially, while HTS controls the area indirectly, economically, and service-wise.
The region witnesses instances of criticism, attacks, and calls to close events and shops over alleged religious violations, such as gender mixing and the presence of water pipes, without taking measures to prevent gender mixing.