Ahmad Al Shara, Syria’s new president, was described by his childhood barber as a reserved boy who engaged in football and communal prayer. Ouglo emphasized the familiarity and kindness of the presidential figure, marking both personal and political changes in the community since his re-emergence. Many locals express optimism about the future under his leadership.
Ahmad Al Shara, Syria’s newly appointed president, was characterized as a calm and reserved boy who enjoyed football and frequently prayed at a local mosque, according to his childhood barber, Mohammad Mustafa Ouglo. Residents of Mazzeh, a suburb of Damascus, recall Al Shara as a friendly child who spent time playing soccer with peers. Ouglo has known him since elementary school, noting the president’s early family ties to the community, as they owned a local grocery and real estate business.
After a long period of exile, Mr. Al Shara returned to the barber shop following his recent victory that led to the ousting of former President Bashar Al Assad. Despite the unexpected political changes, Ouglo described Al Shara as kindhearted and modest, who preferred discussing personal matters over politics during their encounters. On one visit, when people inquired about electricity restoration, he encouraged patience amid the prevailing challenges their community faces.
During his excursions back to his childhood haunts, Al Shara sought to reconnect with his roots, engaging with friends and familiar places within the region. Ouglo emphasized how Al Shara remained unchanged, asking about the barber’s family and the salon’s status. Notably, Al Shara’s grooming preferences mirrored his upbringing, as he requested a professional trim while expressing his wish to retain the length of his beard.
Since Al Shara’s presidency, Ouglo noted a decline in his customer base, attributing it to the exodus of former customers linked to the previous regime. However, he expressed optimism regarding Al Shara’s leadership, believing that many within the community share a hopeful outlook for a better future under his governance, demonstrating a significant shift during this period of political transformation in Syria.
The interview with Ahmad Al Shara’s childhood barber provides insight into the former boy’s humble beginnings and soft-spoken demeanor, highlighting the stark contrast between his past and present. While his rise to presidency has led to changes in his local community, the barber’s reflections reveal a general optimism about the future under Al Shara’s leadership. The connectivity between the past and present encapsulates a potential pathway for recovery and healing within Syrian society.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
