The Weight of War and the Cost of Change
IBB translator Abeer Issa’s journey out of Syria
Abeer Issa’s voice carries the weight of a homeland left behind. At 30 years old, she has lived through the transformation of Syria from a place of rich culture and history to one scarred by war and repression. Now a translator for Ideas Beyond Borders (IBB) and its Bayt Al-Hikma 2.0 project, Issa reflects on her journey—one that spans years of conflict, escape, and finding a new purpose in exile.
“I spent my twenties in a war zone,” Issa said in an interview from Dubai, her current home. “You’re going to university, working, doing your best, but deep inside, you know it’s not going to work. You need to escape.”
Escape for Issa meant leaving behind the coastal city of Latakia, where she had grown up surrounded by olive trees and the sound of the sea. While Latakia remained relatively safer than other parts of Syria due to its proximity to the Assad regime, Issa’s safety was never guaranteed. “We thought we were safe,” she said. “But it was an illusion. Maybe you’re safe today, but what about tomorrow? This dictatorial regime took from us more than we owned.” Watching her city crumble under the weight of the regime and war broke Issa’s heart:
“In the shadows of a homeland once vibrant, alive, and full of promise, I found myself grappling with a sickening sense of loss and alienation. The olives and marmalade trees, the sounds of waves from the nearby sea, the lush green mountains, the flowery fields, and the bustling streets downtown that once echoed with laughter and life now stood desolate, mirroring the emptiness I felt within.”
It took years of waiting and uncertainty for Issa to make it out. Her sister left first, managing to save enough money to bring her over a year later. The rest of their family remains in Syria, where the prospects for a stable future are slim. “Syria is not a place to build anything,” she said. They plan to bring the rest of the family over as soon as possible.
Growing up, Issa found refuge in books. Her father’s modest library offered a glimpse of a world beyond the constraints of war and authoritarian rule. “Books became my escape, shaping my views and principles,” she recalled. But intellectual freedom was a luxury confined to the home; outside, expressing liberal ideas came with risks.
When Issa arrived in the United Arab Emirates in 2024, she described the transition as stepping into a “new world.” Dubai, she said, is a city where anyone can find their place. “Here, you can build something for yourself,” she explained, contrasting it with the stagnation of her life in Syria. Despite the stark differences, adapting to a new environment has been both liberating and disorienting.
Her work with IBB has given her a renewed sense of purpose. As part of the organization’s efforts to promote Enlightenment values and intellectual growth in the Middle East, Issa has translated texts on modern history, politics, and freedom. IBB uncovered possibilities Issa didn’t know existed:
“In this stifling environment, I sought a small place where I could express myself and my identity, discuss my views, and share my perspectives—a place that would help me mature my thoughts, broaden my horizons, and hone my talents. Most importantly, a place where I felt I could make a difference. Ideas Beyond Borders opened its doors entirely, hosting me and offering me a chance to be part of its developmental and intellectual journey that empowers youth and supports their rights to freedom and equality, aiming to make the impossible possible.”
Issa also sees the importance of adapting to modern forms of communication to reach broader audiences. “Traditional essays and newspapers are great, but they don’t reach everyone,” she said. “Social media is where change happens today, especially in the Arab world.” The accessibility of platforms like Instagram and X, she believes, makes them crucial tools for countering radical ideologies and spreading progressive ideas.
Still, the pain of separation from her homeland remains a constant. “Syria was once a center of culture and tourism,” Issa said wistfully. “In 2009, Damascus was alive. Two years later, it was a war zone. It’s damaging to the soul to leave everything behind, knowing you may never return.”
Despite this, Issa holds onto a sense of determination, fueled by her work and the hope of reuniting her family in the UAE. “Even in times of war, our minds and hearts can find ways to heal and grow,” she said. Her journey—from Latakia to Dubai—speaks to the unrelenting strength of those who refuse to let conflict define them:
“Through this journey, I discovered that even in the darkest times, times of war and blood, times of images of terror living inside your own home, our minds and our hearts, along with our trust in human true selves, possess an incredible capacity for resilience and renewal. By connecting with like-minded individuals and organizations dedicated to empowerment and education, we can illuminate the path again toward a brighter future, not just for ourselves, but for generations to come. Finally, it is my hope to be a voice of influence for my people, my country, and for anyone who seeks a positive change and refuses to be another brick in the wall.”
Issa’s story is not just a personal narrative, but a broader reflection on the impact of war and the potential for the future. Through her translations, she aims to shed light on the strength of Syrians and the importance of intellectual freedom in shaping a better future. For Issa, the work is as much about reclaiming her own voice as it is about empowering others to find theirs.
This article was written by Reid Newton.
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