Hamilton restaurateur returns to Syria after 12 years for bittersweet reunion with household, former workers

[ad_1] After 12 years away from his homeland, Mohamad Tomeh stated being again in his mom's arms made him really feel "secure" and younger once more.

She was the primary particular person the 42-year-old Hamilton restaurateur went to see after his July 11 return to Syria, the place he was born and raised. He has a restaurant within the Ontario metropolis known as Tomah: A Style of Syria and used to run a cheese manufacturing facility in his hometown of Al-Nashabiyah.

"She was very completely happy," he stated 12 days after his arrival.

Bashar al-Assad was ousted as Syria's president and his authorities overthrown late final 12 months after a speedy offensive by armed factions. On the time, then prime minister Justin Trudeau wrote on social media: "The autumn of Assad's dictatorship ends many years of brutal oppression."

Tomeh stated he felt "very completely happy" when he heard the information and gave away free baklava in December following Assad's ouster.

"Now I believe my nation is on the appropriate path to be secure [again] and pleasant with the world," he stated.

<img loading="lazy" alt="A person in a cook's jacket holds two baking sheets full of pastries." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/1.7405610.1733777654!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_1180/mohamad-tomeh.jpg?im=Resize%3D300 300w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7405610.1733777654!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_1180/mohamad-tomeh.jpg?im=Resize%3D460 460w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7405610.1733777654!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_1180/mohamad-tomeh.jpg?im=Resize%3D620 620w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7405610.1733777654!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_1180/mohamad-tomeh.jpg?im=Resize%3D780 780w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7405610.1733777654!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_1180/mohamad-tomeh.jpg?im=Resize%3D1180 1180w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 300px,(max-width: 460px) 460px,(max-width: 620px) 620px,(max-width: 780px) 780px,(max-width: 1180px) 1180px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/1.7405610.1733777654!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_1180/mohamad-tomeh.jpg?im=" style="aspect-ratio:1.7771084337349397" data-cy="image-img"/> Tomeh holds two sheets of baklava, which his restaurant gave away on Dec. 8 to have fun the change in authorities. (Tomah/Instagram) Tomeh stated he hopes to remain in his hometown for a couple of extra weeks. The journey has been stuffed with bittersweet moments of reunions and happiness, but additionally disappointment and loss.

"I did not discover my pal and a few folks from my household as a result of I misplaced folks," stated Tomeh, who left his hometown in 2013.

"However … I'm completely happy as a result of I noticed my household, I noticed … so many pals."

Tomeh's restaurant is at 242 King St. W. in downtown Hamilton, the Ontario metropolis's he is known as dwelling since immigrating to Canada in 2018.

Tomeh stated he had labored within the cheese-making business in Syria most of his life. His manufacturing facility, which he owned for 15 years earlier than leaving, had been destroyed together with the town's industrial space.

Among the many rubble, nonetheless, what have remained standing are his outdated pomegranate and olive timber — during which he is discovered symbolism and motivation as they, "Do not die, bloom once more."

Syria nonetheless dealing with struggles Over two million Syrians — about 600,000 from neighbouring nations and 1.5 million who have been displaced inside Syria — have returned dwelling since December, in keeping with the United Nations Workplace of the Excessive Commissioner for Refugees.

Tomeh is amongst these who left Syria in 2013 as a consequence of ongoing battle. In line with the 2021 census, over 97,000 folks in Canada checklist Syria as their birthplace. Between November 2014 and December 2015, 44,620 Syrian refugees arrived in Canada, in keeping with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

<img loading="lazy" alt="A building in construction" srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/1.7599550.1754058560!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/tomeh-s-cheese-factory.JPG?im=Resize%3D300 300w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7599550.1754058560!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/tomeh-s-cheese-factory.JPG?im=Resize%3D460 460w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7599550.1754058560!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/tomeh-s-cheese-factory.JPG?im=Resize%3D620 620w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7599550.1754058560!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/tomeh-s-cheese-factory.JPG?im=Resize%3D780 780w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7599550.1754058560!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/tomeh-s-cheese-factory.JPG?im=Resize%3D1180 1180w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 300px,(max-width: 460px) 460px,(max-width: 620px) 620px,(max-width: 780px) 780px,(max-width: 1180px) 1180px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/1.7599550.1754058560!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/tomeh-s-cheese-factory.JPG?im=" style="aspect-ratio:1.3333333333333333" data-cy="image-img"/> Tomeh stated he desires to assist rebuild his hometown, beginning together with his cheese manufacturing facility. 'I need to open a possibility for the folks, for my household.' (Submitted by Mohamad Tomeh) Tomeh stays hopeful about Syria's future, however desires to carry consciousness to the enduring points.

"Life could be very, very onerous [here]. No electrical energy, no gasoline, no water."

Final week, as an illustration, elements of Syria's south and Damascus have been hit by Israeli airstrikes within the worst preventing since Assad's fall, as Israel heightened its marketing campaign to help the Druze minority folks, claiming it is working to maintain southern Syria demilitarized. Syria's new authorities has additionally been grappling with clashes between militias linked to the Arab minority group and native Bedouin fighters.

Some consultants argue Israel's involvement is meant to problem the brand new state's authority and preserve its personal means to exert affect over Syria.

Many Syrians return to a nation largely destroyed Basit Iqbal, an affiliate professor in McMaster College's division of anthropology, spoke to CBC Hamilton concerning the uncertainty Syrians returning to the nation nonetheless face.

"Many have homes which have been destroyed, or bombed or whatnot, and if they do not have the funds to rebuild, as a result of there's an financial disaster, and I believe it is like 80 per cent of the nation is underneath the poverty line," stated Iqbal.

His upcoming e-book, The Dread Heights: Tribulation and Refuge after the Syrian Revolution, is predicated on fieldwork round Syria and appears at folks's totally different relationships with Islam throughout occasions of warfare.

Iqbal stated he was doing analysis for the e-book, close to the southern Syrian border in Jordan, and spoke to 1 man with whom he nonetheless communicates.

"He spoke always about simply his dream to return ... that he could not return, although he was so shut by," stated Iqbal.

"His complete life was formed by this proximity to the border that he could not cross."

Iqbal recalled seeing bombing going down in Syria from the border. His pal was unable to do something for his household and pals simply 20 minutes away. Now, that pal sends Iqbal a message any time he crosses the border, one thing that is not taken with no consideration.

Rebuilding his hometown Iqbal stated he noticed many movies of people like Tomeh whose return to family members "instantly grew to become a time of latest mourning."

"What does it imply to return to your house, the place even when your house continues to be standing, it is proper subsequent to a world that is been turned to rubble?"

Tomeh stated he desires to assist, even when it is in a small means.

His outdated cheese manufacturing facility is already being rebuilt, he stated.

"I need to open a possibility for the folks, for my household," he stated, including he has reconnected with former staff there who're on the lookout for work.

Tomeh desires to assist contribute to the financial system and the rebuilding of his hometown, and hopes to get visits from his Canadian pals.

"I hope they meet the folks there. Syrian persons are very variety."

<img loading="lazy" alt="Destroyed buildings" srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/1.7599520.1754057357!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/al-nashabiyah.JPG?im=Resize%3D300 300w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7599520.1754057357!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/al-nashabiyah.JPG?im=Resize%3D460 460w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7599520.1754057357!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/al-nashabiyah.JPG?im=Resize%3D620 620w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7599520.1754057357!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/al-nashabiyah.JPG?im=Resize%3D780 780w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7599520.1754057357!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/al-nashabiyah.JPG?im=Resize%3D1180 1180w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 300px,(max-width: 460px) 460px,(max-width: 620px) 620px,(max-width: 780px) 780px,(max-width: 1180px) 1180px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/1.7599520.1754057357!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/al-nashabiyah.JPG?im=" style="aspect-ratio:1.3333333333333333" data-cy="image-img"/> Tomeh stated many of the industrial sector of his hometown of Al-Nashabiyah was turned to rubble throughout the warfare in Syria. (Submitted by Mohamad Tomeh) Tomeh hopes to remain in his hometown for now however has no plans to maneuver there completely.

He is deeply grateful to the Hamilton group he loves and appreciates for supporting him by way of highs and lows.

"Typically my enterprise could be very gradual. I do not make good cash typically, however I am very pleased with folks, with my group. You already know why? As a result of [they are] variety folks," stated Tomeh.