Jaylan Ramadan
“Welcome, my dear brother, welcome!”—a phrase that Mohammad Sheikhi, a man in his fifties from Darbasiyah, repeats every time he meets his close friend, Khaled Hassan, who is also in his fifties. A greeting that has lasted for more than 17 years.
Mohammad meets with his friend Khaled daily at Mimas Café, his coffee shop in the heart of Darbasiyah’s market.
Mohammad Sheikhi is Kurdish, while Khaled Hassan is Arab. Both men are from the same city, and their regular gatherings have become familiar to the café’s patrons. Conversations always revolve around this friendship—a bond that has never been affected by the region’s conflicts over the years.
“These two men embody the true meaning of brotherhood,” remarked one of the café’s patrons as the story’s writer sat down to talk with them.
Seated at a small table in the middle of the café, Mohammad and Khaled began recounting an old tale that had been told many times before. It was a story of a friendship that began in their youth, a social bond neither distance nor crises could ever break.
A Friendship Passed Down Through Generations
Mohammad and Khaled inherited their friendship from their fathers. Their bond began when they were 18 years old, rooted in the close relationship between their families, as their fathers were close friends. During one of their family gatherings, Khaled’s father suggested that Mohammad work at a factory owned by their family at the time. “I was happy to receive the job offer, and my father welcomed the idea without hesitation. That’s how our journey together began,” says Mohammad.
For 17 years, their connection was more than just a workplace friendship; it became a profound human experience that influenced everyone around them. Khaled explains, “I learned to speak Kurdish from Mohammad, and we broke every barrier between us. We were—and still are—like one family.”
Their fathers never experienced any disagreements, and their friendship translated into a strong bond between both families. They frequently gathered for different occasions, whether in times of joy or sorrow.
“My mother loved Khaled as if he were her son, and my children treat his as their siblings,” Mohammad says. He adds, “This friendship has inspired me to encourage my children to build relationships with people from different backgrounds. I truly believe that diversity creates peace and strengthens communities.”
Similarly, Khaled works hard to teach his children that true friendship should transcend differences—whether religious or ethnic. He emphasizes that tolerance and acceptance are essential for fostering relationships among diverse communities. “I’ve taught my children that having socially and culturally diverse friendships gives them a deeper understanding of life,” he says.
As they sit together at their table, Mohammad and Khaled point out that their neighborhood is filled with similar stories. People from different backgrounds gather daily at the café’s small tables, sharing decades-long friendships built on mutual respect.
What Unites the People of the Region is a Force Against Division
Seeking job opportunities, Mohammad moved with his family to Damascus for an extended period. However, the distance did not hinder his communication with Khaled. Despite the limited means of contact at the time, they always found a way to check in on each other and their families whenever possible.
Mohammad recalls a significant event—the Qamishli uprising in March 2004, which erupted at the city’s Municipal Stadium while he was living in Damascus. At that time, many feared a deepening divide between Arabs and Kurds in Syria, especially in the Northeast. But Mohammad was determined that his friendship with Khaled was proof that the ties uniting the region’s people were more substantial than any attempt to disrupt peace among its diverse and coexisting communities.
About the latest transformations in Syria, particularly the fall of the Syrian regime in December 2024, Mohammad and Khaled affirm their clear stance: rejecting any campaigns or efforts aimed at sowing discord or undermining the relationships among Syrians as a whole.
“What unites us today is stronger than all attempts to create division. We have lived together for generations, and our friendship is proof that coexistence is not just a slogan—it is a reality that thrives when we embrace the values of acceptance,” says Khaled.
“Our relationships in this region are built on love and respect. These values must be stronger than any inciting rhetoric and serve as a powerful tool for lasting peace,” adds Mohammad.
Throughout the ups and downs the region has witnessed, Mohammad and Khaled have remained committed to showcasing their friendship as a symbol of unity, extending to their families. Their goal is to reinforce social awareness within their community—to ensure that solidarity remains a shield against any crises or attempts to weaken social cohesion in Syria and its Northeast.
Their bond is more than just a friendship between two men; it is a story of tolerance and coexistence. A story that shows how they turned their relationship into a model of unity—one that their children, neighbors, and the entire community see as a source of inspiration, regardless of the circumstances.
