Syria does not need a ‘handshake litmus test’
Al JazeeraWhatever Western media may have you believe, the Syrian leadership’s handshake choices will not determine the country’s future. A Politico editorial went as far as suggesting that trivialities like shaking hands should become the new “litmus test” on how “moderate” a Muslim leader really is. As a Syrian American whose father was exiled from Syria for 46 years and whose family friends have been tortured and killed by the al-Assad regime, I find the Western “litmus test” of Arab leadership laden with contradictions and simply offensive. It is not surprising that Western media is trying to impose Western cultural values as the new litmus test for the “moderation” of Muslim Arab leaders. Syrians have their own “litmus test” for evaluating their new leadership, like the government’s ability to deliver democracy and freedom, restore and improve civilian infrastructure, unite Syrians and protect constitutional rights, not whether male government members shake the hands of women.
Discover Related