Bab El Hara

The phenomenon of Bab El Hara is not new. Like everyone else I know, I am glued to the TV as soon as it starts to the second it ends. I cheer, I cry, I lament on the days where men were actually that, men.

What I don't like is the way women are portrayed in this show. As far as what we see, they are born, raised, marry, and then die between 4 walls and under a man's rule. Last night's episode was no different except that something inside me broke. At one point, one of the characters who is married to a doctor, and gets to travel from one home to another with him,is admired by a couple of young ladies and told that they wished they could share her freedom.



My heart broke. I didn't live 80 years ago in Syria to better understand the customs but I do understand that the men wished to protect the women in their families from the then French rulers who seemed to abuse their power. Honor was everything.

But that is not just it. In one scene a husband returns a wife to her family home as an act of revenge because his sister was returned to her family home for not being a good wife. The husband comes to apologize and the young lady refuses to return with him stating, "I am not a toy that you take when you want and return when you are feeling vengeful." Her mother then walks in yelling at her and orders her to pack and return with her husband.

Where is this woman's dignity? Where is her sense of self and self respect? Why are women treated with such indignity? Better yet, why am I still watching?

In this day and age we crave some of the qualities that these men portray. We miss the masculinity of men, their sense of honor, respect for their fellow man and neighbor, the recognition that we are our brother's keeper. I love that they help the needy and hold a sense of pride in their community. I love that they don't let the unjust ruler get away with their obvious abuses. Above everything else, I love the simplicity of life that seems to be the constant thread that unites these people.

To be honest I don't think I will stop watching the show. I am addicted to the story line and obsessed with the idea that we, as Arabs, once stood united against our oppressors, a far cry from what we see today. That said, I still wish that the writers of the show took the time to invest in their obvious success providing a story line that demonstrates the strength of these women, their loyalty to their homes, and their love and sacrifice for their country.