Zarqa Sabahiya: A Voice from the Syrian Coast – 'We Want to Live with Dignity'
Expressions of sectarian hate directed at Zarqa Sabahiya, a woman from Syria’s coastal region, sparked widespread outrage both locally and internationally amid the tragic events
March 14, 2025, 7:11 pm

Zarqa Sabahiya: A Voice from the Syrian Coast – 'We Want to Live with Dignity'

السيدة زرقة سباهي \ متداولة

Zarqa Sabahiya, a grieving Syrian mother who recently captured public attention, received a delegation at her home offering condolences for the loss of her children and grandchild. Addressing the visitors, including Latakia official Mohammad Othman, she delivered an emotional message, saying: "You are all my children."

Appearing in a widely shared video with remarkable strength and composure, Sabahiya emphasized that her family is not concerned with past or present political regimes; their sole aspiration is to live with dignity.

According to Syria’s official news agency "SANA," Latakia official Mohammad Othman extended condolences to the bereaved mother, accompanied by a member of the Supreme Committee for Civil Peace and the director of the province’s political office.

Othman expressed deep sympathy and reaffirmed the commitment of Syria’s interim caretaker government to prosecuting those responsible for the crimes and providing full support to the victims’ families. He further pledged to ensure that such painful incidents do not recur.

The heartbreaking image of Sabahiya standing beside the bodies of her slain children triggered a wave of public outrage. This was exacerbated by reports that the armed perpetrators, whose identities remain unverified, directed sectarian insults at the grieving mother, who hails from Syria’s predominantly Alawite coastal region.

The surge of violence in Syria’s coastal areas has sent shockwaves both domestically and internationally. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that hundreds of people have perished in what has been described as one of the deadliest episodes in recent years.

Sabahiya’s story stands as a tragic yet powerful testament to the suffering of Syrian civilians, who continue to endure indiscriminate violence affecting men, women, and children alike. Her experience underscores the urgent need to strengthen civil peace and reject sectarianism and violence across all Syrian regions.

Putin Agrees Conditionally to Ceasefire, Europe Draws "Red Lines" for the War A Syrian Druze Religious Delegation Visits Sacred Sites in Israel for the First Time in Decades

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.