Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani described the US administration’s decision to remove Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism as “closing a dark chapter in Syria's history,” noting that the designation had been imposed in 1979 due to the policies of the previous regime. Al-Shaibani posted a photo on the X platform showing him alongside Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa; the two were holding a copy of the decision—signed by US President Donald Trump—aboard the plane returning to Damascus following their participation in the NATO summit hosted by the Turkish capital, Ankara.

In his post, the Syrian Foreign Minister stated, “Under the directives of His Excellency President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, we have closed a dark chapter in Syria's history by lifting the designation imposed on it in 1979 due to the policies of the defunct regime.” He added, “All thanks and appreciation go to the United States under the leadership of President Trump for this decision, as well as to my friend Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and to the dear Ambassador Tom Barrack, and everyone who stood by Syria’s side.” Trump had previously informed the Syrian President of his decision to remove Syria from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism in a letter confirming that he had fulfilled his promise to remove obstacles hindering the country's reconstruction, and affirming that American companies were ready to invest in Syria and contribute to supporting its economy.

Al-Waie: Anyone seeing the photos of the new ruler of Ash-Sham and his minister—smiling as they hold the certificate of the US decision to lift sanctions—might think, at first glance, that pleasing America and Trump is the path to entering Paradise. Yet, these people seem not to have read history nor taken heed of what America did to the people of the Levant (ash-Sham) during the rule of Bashar al-Assad—or his father before him—let alone what it did to the Islamic Ummah, which they have forsaken, choosing instead to pin their hopes on America and on rulers of Muslims who have turned away from the Shariah Law of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) says,

[الَّذِينَ يَتَّخِذُونَ الْكَافِرِينَ أَوْلِيَاء مِن دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَيَبْتَغُونَ عِندَهُمُ الْعِزَّةَ فَإِنَّ العِزَّةَ لِلّهِ جَمِيعاً]

“Those who take disbelievers as allies instead of the believers—do they seek honor with them? Indeed, all honor belongs to Allah.” [TMQ Surah An-Nisaa: 139].