Serin Mohammed

Aleppo — Al-Tanweer newspaper, published quarterly, serves as a space that weaves together the voices and sentiments of women, giving them room to raise their voices and break societal constraints.

Al-Tanweer is a product of the internal regulations of the Aleppo Cultural Forum, which include a clause stipulating the creation of a publication to represent the forum’s vision, activities, and work. The newspaper expresses intellectual freedom and freedom of opinion in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods of Aleppo.

According to Shirin Sheikho, a member of the Aleppo Cultural Forum, the publication initially began as a printed bulletin before being developed into a newspaper named “Al-Tanweer” (“Enlightenment”), so it could serve as spiritual and intellectual nourishment and contribute to enlightening society.

The first issue was published on April 4, 2022 — a date chosen because it coincides with the birthday of Abdullah Öcalan, carrying symbolic meaning, especially given the circumstances the Middle East and Syria were going through at the time. The newspaper is issued every three months and has now reached its tenth issue, distributed across all institutions in the Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods.

Sections of the Newspaper

The newspaper features a variety of topics and sections, with around 25 contributors from inside and outside the forum. It covers social, cultural, political, and intellectual issues, as well as multiple topics related to women’s issues.

Topics for each issue are selected by the forum through discussion and by identifying important subjects that require attention. The forum then chooses the most suitable writers for each topic. Al-Tanweer distinguishes itself with its focus on sociological, intellectual, and cultural dimensions — elements the community needs most today.

A Medium for Cultural Exchange

Writer Leila Khaled, who is also a co-founder of both the Aleppo Cultural Forum and Al-Tanweer, contributes to the “Historical Figure” section. In each issue, the forum selects a historical personality, and Khaled writes about their role and significance in their respective era.

 

Other contributors include:

- Zainab Qanbar, who writes about social and political issues.

- Lama'an Sheikho, a member of the Jineology Academy, who writes on women’s issues.

- Amani Al-Weshahi, an Amazigh writer, who contributes as a way to exchange cultures and highlight similarities between the Kurdish and Amazigh struggles.

 

Women’s Section

Women’s issues are central to the newspaper. Recently, cases of divorce and suicide among women have increased, prompting the forum to collaborate with institutions dedicated to women's affairs, such as the Jineology Academy, which regularly contributes to a dedicated section.

Shirin Sheikho emphasized that the Aleppo Cultural Forum is working tirelessly with future ambitions to transform the newspaper into a comprehensive magazine focusing on cultural, political, and intellectual topics, and especially on women’s issues.

She also stressed that women play a pioneering role, particularly in the experience of democratic self-administration in North and East Syria. The forum relies heavily on women’s issues and their voices: “We aim to publish the newspaper in the most impactful way possible, if given the opportunity.”

 

The Forum Relies on Women’s Issues and Voices

Writer and administrator at the Women’s Office of the Syrian Democratic Council, Zainab Qanbar, spoke about her participation in the newspaper’s women’s section. She began writing when she felt that the pen was the nourishment of thought, especially during the era of the Syrian Ba’ath regime. She started with short lines and reflections expressing her emotions and thoughts about the chaos and war, and the experiences of women.

Writing as a Means of Emotional Expression

Qanbar blends her Afrini roots with the identity she developed in Manbij, where she lived for some time. The pen became her compass, helping her express her feelings and inner world. Her aim is to change the reality women live in and shed light on their pain and their struggles.

She began publishing her writings after the outbreak of the Syrian revolution, writing about political realities and their impact on women, the systematic violence imposed on them, and how some were convinced to accept unsuitable policies and circumstances.

She confirmed that Manbij played the biggest role in shaping her character. Writing helped her regain balance and strength, enabling her to channel her reactions into embracing issues, understanding them, and seeking solutions.

 

Solving the Women’s Issue First

Qanbar explained that she has contributed her writings to various newspapers and news platforms across the Middle East, as well as Amazigh and Egyptian websites. She communicates with women across the region, exchanging knowledge and experiences, believing that “No societal issue can be resolved without solving the women’s issue first.”

She is preparing a multi-part book documenting her lived experiences and highlighting women who have played impactful roles in society, considering women the cornerstone of social development.

Regarding the Aleppo Cultural Forum, Qanbar stated that it has empowered women to express their opinions and seek solutions to unresolved issues. She and other writers regularly visit the forum to discuss women’s issues in all fields — particularly politics — and how women can be leaders, be present at decision-making levels, and strengthen solidarity among women.

A Feminist Map

Qanbar stressed the importance for Syrian women to have a feminist roadmap that allows them to achieve their hopes for building a new, pluralistic, democratic, and decentralized Syria. She believes women have the ability to heal wounds and establish the foundations of a diverse and inclusive society that respects women’s existence and rights.

Toward a More Just and Equal Future

Al-Tanweer newspaper strives to be a bridge for communication and cultural exchange — a free space illuminating the path toward a more just and equal future, where words become tools for change and awareness a foundation for building a new Syria.