Ali Ferzat

Ali Ferzat, from the city of Hama in Syria, for the past 50 years it has been involved with civil war and dictated by one party Bashar al-Assad's militia. It is known to be the worst humanitarian of our time. This is where the one who sheds light comes and speak for the people not as a dictator but as a leader. 

 He has worked for several newspapers and magazines, where as an artist he produced cartoons without any captions. He frequently draws dictators’ satire to show their oppressive methods of ruling. This marginalize them and makes their social status lower which helps to give the people hope and courage to continue to demonstrate and be critical. Therefore In my opinion I think that art carries human and moral causes because in similar cases it helps people to transcend pain into hope. 

If one goes back to the roots of Mr Ferzat, I believe that he always thought different than everybody else.  There is one particular drawing whom he drew at just the age of 12 whom he had sent to the newspaper called “AL AYYAM” where he drew about the Evian accords on Algeria, which three days later appeared on the front page. What an achievement for a twelve-year-old, this is where he knew he was on the right path to become a voice. 

There are several drawings that challenged the party and has put the dictator and the regime in fear of not being feared and exposing their weakness. It was forbidden to draw the president and when Ali Ferzat crossed the line, it was then when people started being encouraged by him. When they saw an artist who spoke the freedom of speech and being rebellious through art. People started using his art for protesting.

The president making speech on the reforms, however the drawing shows that air bubbles are going out.

Due to controversial drawings , most of the state never thought that he was based in Syria but in Europe or the United States.  There is also a drawing  dating back to several years ago showing a symbol of how power from below is run in Syria. It shows a step by step guide of a human life cycle that some dictators are given power either from inheritance or automatically from birth to death.

Another that has withdrew my attention is this drawing which shows the state spending money on wars , on killing and destruction and leaving the people seeking for dignity.

This is what I believe has put Ali Ferzat in danger , because drawings like these aren’t easily accepted especially in a regime that has ruled for fifty years and whose essence is to bully people. An activity that goes beyond their border normally leads to a punishment or perhaps in this case a price that one must pay.

On the 25^th of August 2011 , Ali Ferzat was leaving his office at 5:00 am like he normally does, driving his way back home in empty streets only to notice that there was a car following him. He suspected something as he had received threats before through his social media and phone. All of a sudden they rammed his car and opened the doors with man power. The doors were broken down even though they were not locked, this shows how angry the aggressors were. They entered his car and put a bag over his face and handcuffed him. Bodily harm was committed in his car and was dragged to their car where he was put on the back seat and was forced to sit in a specific position to be able to get hit on his hands. I believe this was done to break his hands, to send a message to not to draw more.

After this occurrence, the whole world covered this story and this has made the artist feel very honored that art can still have such an impact and send a message to the heart of the people, as he has power of a Syrian’s voice.

After recovering he found it difficult to draw again, both physically and mentally, however he still hopes that he produces stronger art than ever before.

Reference list:

Stelfox, Dave. "Ali Ferzat, Cartoonist In Exile". the Guardian. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 Nov. 2016

Stelfox, Dave. "Ali Ferzat's Cartoons – In Pictures". the Guardian. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 Nov. 2016