MALAK EL-MIHEMED

Tabqa- In North and East Syria, women lead the building of a common life in which people from different nations have a say under the umbrella of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). They preserve their existence by participating in all facets of life, including politics, economy, culture and art and social life.

33-year-old Ruken Raşid, who sings both Kurdish and Arabic songs, is one of them. When the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions occupied Afrin, she had to leave her homeland and now lives in Tabqa. When the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions attacked Afrin in 2018, the people of Afrin resisted the attacks for 58 days. Now, they exhibit their spirit of resistance wherever they live. As a singer, Ruken Raşid exhibits her spirit of resistance by singing.

‘It was difficult to sing outside of Afrin’

Ruken Raşid is now a member of a musical group named “Doser” formed by Kurdish and Arab musicians. Her mother encouraged her to sing when she was six. “I was a music teacher in Afrin. Leaving my homeland was very difficult for me. After settling in Tabqa, I kept taking part in musical activities. I improved myself by performing in festivals and celebrations. At the beginning, it was difficult for me to sing outside of Afrin. But then, I overcame this by performing in festivals and celebrations,” she told NuJINHA.

‘I will overcome all barriers’

Speaking about the period when ISIS occupied Tabqa, she said, “They wanted to break the will of women first. After Tabqa was liberated from ISIS, women began to enjoy their freedom. We have enjoyed and learned our roles in our society thanks to the women’s resistance in North and East Syria. I will keep singing. My musical journey will continue by overcoming all barriers. Women should be aware of their power and they should struggle for their freedom. We can take our rights by resisting.”