LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As Syrian rebels overthrow President Bashar al-Assad and his government, the world is keeping an eye on what's happening at the nation's capitol of Damascus.
In Louisville, Syrian-Americans are celebrating the change being brought to their homeland.
Local physician Amaar Almasalkhi said the Syrian community gathered to cheer the end of what they called an oppressive dictatorship from the Assad family's 24-year long rule.
"Let's wait and let people judge by their action," Almasalkhi said. "Not by history or old news or misinformation."
Almasalkhi was born in Damascus but moved to the United States in the 1980s. He still has family living in Syria and he's traveled back several times to help the people, but he had to stop since it started becoming difficult to travel to and from the country.
According to Almasalkhi there are about 50-100 Syrian refugee families their mosque has helped settle into their new lives, find jobs and become members of society. He said Syrians did not have freedom under Assad's rule.
"The people who liberated Syria are not going to let a one man show ever run again," Almasalkhi said. "Or one sect control any area or people deprived from life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Spalding University world affairs expert Kurt Jefferson said this capitol has a major influence on many communities.
"It is imperative that Damascus be thought of as a regional capitol that will connect to other regional capitols in the Arab world," Jefferson said. "As well as not in the Arab world. It's important for a lot of different reasons: trade, religion, the three monotheistic religions. If it doesn't get stabilized the region will become increasingly unstable. American interest will be affected, Israel's, as well at others."
Jefferson said Damascus represents the heart of the people, and that this change will also impact other communities within Louisville.
"There is no doubt that this conflict for local Muslims, Muslim-Americans, local Jews and local Israeli-Americans is going to weigh heavily on their hearts at this time," Jefferson said.
Almasalkhi said they are all watching the country gradually unfold from home with a sense of hope.
"When you change your residence you cannot sever your ties of social fabric or your emotional ties with the country that you grew up in," Almasalkhi said. "Everyone is wanting to go back to Syria because they're still connected and are wanting to go help in building back that country."
As these Syrian-Americans celebrate change they hope the United States and western powers will offer support and guidance to freedom.
"Fresh ideas are coming," Almasalkhi said. "And as I get near to retirement I'd probably like to go back and start helping rebuild the healthcare sectors and medical education."
Almasalkhi went on to say he understands the concern other country's have about the takeover. But he and the rest of the Syrian community in Louisville are very hopeful to see more freedom and a positive change for their people after enduring years of violence.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or X feed