When I used to visit my parents’ home country of Syria, my friends would ask where Syria was, some had no clue Syria was even a country. Before the current civil war that plagues Syria, I had to explain where Syria was when I was asked about my ethnicity. A few years ago, most Americans knew nothing of Syria, but have suddenly become experts on the Syrian government, way of life, and culture. Here is the truth of Syria that most non-Syrians disagree with me about, despite me being a much more credible source than any news outlet.

The majority of Syrians support Bashar Assad. When I express my approval for the Assad regime I get bombarded with questions such as: “Isn’t the Syrian government killing your people?” or “How can you support a dictator?” and “Don’t you want democracy?” If people stopped paying attention to the garbage propaganda we refer to as CNN and Fox and started getting facts from credible sources they would realize the Assad regime has done great things for Syria.

Syria was a secular country and all people, regardless of religion or gender, had basic human rights that most people throughout the Middle East do not have. Sunnis, Shias, Christians, Kurds, and other religious groups throughout Syria had the right to practice their faith freely. Women were allowed to drive, get an education, and had the freedom to choose clothing of their choosing. Syrians lived happily and enjoyed the freedoms that a lot of other people in the Middle East do not have.

Before the Syrian Civil War, Syria was seen as a quiet, seemingly irrelevant country. Syria was safe and no one lived in fear, even when war surrounded its neighboring countries. Kids played soccer happily on the streets, people loved going out to restaurants and malls after a hard days work, and everyone regardless of religion got along. The people of Syria were some of the happiest people you could come across because life was easy and stress free, especially compared to the American way of life.

For some reason, the American people support the “moderate rebels” who in reality are members of Al-Qaeda and ISIS. It should be obvious that the Western world do not have the best intentions for Syria. The people of the West are being fed lies and it is hurting the Syrian people.

Syrians are currently living in horror because of the lies told by the West. Americans live under an illusion that democratic governments are best for all nations and that the Western world is doing its best to promote democracy around the world. The sad truth is that the United States and many other western countries benefit from Syria being in crumbles. Bashar al Assad has spoken against American involvement in the Middle East and has not succumbed to America’s selfish motives in the Middle East.

The West could care less about the Syrian people. If the United States truly cared about democracy and basic human right our troops would currently be in Saudi Arabia. Syrians are pro Assad because they are anti Sharia law and anti terrorism. Before listening to the lies the American news outlets say about Syria, please realize that Syria is a beautiful, diverse country with a beautiful culture. Innocent Syrians are suffering because of lies being fed to people around the world everyday.