Every summer, while visiting my home country of Syria, I teach a class titled “English Conversation” to local Syrian university students. The class meetings last for an hour and a half, and they consist of dialogue and conversation covering random topics of interest, in addition to whatever marginal conversations that arise as a result of our main discussion. What drives me to teach this group of devoted young Syrian men and women is their yearning and intense passion for learning a language that has become the most important tool of communication, whether academically, professionally, or on an entertainment level.

During one of our class meetings last week, I asked my students to write a paragraph or two dedicated to you, my Western readers, with any thoughts of their choice. I have compiled their replies into this article and I will leave you with their words (I have only corrected their grammar):

• “Although we live in a region that suffers from wars, we would like for the West to know that those of us who live in this part of the world also love life, and more importantly, we love peace. We abhor terrorists, and we are appalled by Osama Bin Laden and his followers.”

• “We are educated and literate people. We want to communicate with you, and in turn, we are learning your language, we watch your movies and news, and we read your newspapers and magazines. We have a passion for learning everything about you and about your privileged life in the West. And we hope that you will do the same and try to learn about us and about our country; however, what is most important is that you learn about Syria form a Syrian and not from those who have repeatedly misrepresented us through Western media. Perhaps the best method is by coming and visiting us in a safe and welcoming country. You are most welcome.”

• “If I could tell the Western people something about my country, I would tell them about the solid relationships that exist within our community and hold our people together. For example, specifically in my village of Sweida in Southern Syria, if someone were building a house, those in the neighbourhood would most certainly help carry stones and bring water to him. Everyone helps one another and all work hand in hand. Our circumstances, along with our cultural principles, have brought us together to work with one another as a community.”

• “I would like to tell Canadians that we are people who are educated and love to learn. However, our horizons are not as vast as yours.”

• “I want to tell the Western audience that not all of us who live in the Middle East are fanatic religious zealots — it seems like this is our present reputation! But please do understand that this is far from the truth. For example, a Palestinian’s struggle is not based on religious principles, but on basic human rights — on the obligation to defend a land, a home, and in many instances, one’s own child’s life!”

• “We might be known in the Moslem world for Osama Bin Laden, but I would like to remind the West of the fact that it was also a Moslem Arab, Nagib Mahfouz, of Egyptian descent, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988.”

• “We are a people that come from an ancient civilization and a rich history. In my city, Sweida, the ruins of the Roman Empire still stand and Roman columns and engravings are preserved in modern homes. Many of the inhabitants of our city have built their houses in areas where Roman homes once stood, and these homes contain original walls, arches, columns, and imprints as part of their architectural make-up.”

• “I would like to tell the Western people that our country celebrates religious diversity. In the streets of Damascus, one can hear church bells ringing harmoniously with the calling to prayer from a mosque across the street.î

• “I would like to tell a Canadian that although there are many volatile regions in the Middle East, there still exists many countries that are very safe to visit such as Syria, Jordan, Lebanon amongst many others. We do not lock our doors at night, and our little brothers and sisters play freely in the streets!”

• “I would like to tell a Canadian that I would love to have the opportunity to visit their country one dayówhat we hear of Canada is its natural beauty, its tolerant people, its advanced facilities, and its open-minded citizens who are passionate about knowing what lies beyond their borders.”

• “I would like to tell a Canadian: ‘Ahlan wa Sahlan’ which is the Arabic for ‘You are most Welcome.’”