The Syrian Women’s Assembly held their first forum in Ayn Isa on June 20 under the title, “The dialectic of women, religion, power and freedom” with 150 women from women’s assembly and women’s organizations members as well as political party representatives from Northern and Eastern Syria in attendance.

Syrian Women’s Assembly Aleppo Spokesperson Heyfa Hesen said issues important for women were discussed in the forum: “Many organizations and institutions abuse religious faith for their own interests. Women are the ones who are harmed the most in this. They are trying to abuse religion to destroy women’s role in public life.”

Heyfa said many groups emerged during the Syrian war under the guise of religion and attempted to abuse the religion of Islam for their own purposes: “Many issues were discussed in the forum. The most important one was faith and oppression through religious faith. The effect religious faith has on women is immense. Religion has also been used as a method of war in Syria, and has affected women with its politics. This was most visible in women who were ISIS members.”

Heyfa said the forum participants reached a joint conclusion and said, “The gang groups shaped the Islamic Sharia to their own interests.” Heyfa added that the forum efforts will continue and said: “The Syrian Women’s Assembly is fighting to free all women from tyranny and to achieve equality for all. The free and democratic Syria will be founded under women’s lead.”