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"Um Al Zalghouta" | Syria

Written by Huda[1], this essay tells the story of a middle-aged Syrian woman named Zainab, later deemed “Um Al Zalghouta”, who joined the Syrian revolution. When discussing the many revolutions of the Arab Spring, the active role of women is highlighted in many countries, yet there has been little space carved out for Syrian women. In documenting the story of Um Al-Zalghouta, these authors seek to show what Syrian women have offered to restore their human dignity in opposition to the Assad regime. Zainab protested from the outside and from within. She joined demonstrations and also transformed her home into a workshop for sewing flags for the revolution. She was famous for her zalghouta ( زلغوطة ), or ululation[2], prompting her nickname. For her participation in the revolution, Zainab faced immense hardship and punishment, attempts to strip her of her dignity. This piece sheds light into how for many Syrians, this revolt was about dignity and reclaiming it from the Assad regime, whose oppression attempted to remove it. 

Huda and Khayat, Sara. ""Um Al Zalghouta" | Syria". Kohl: a Journal for Body and Gender Research 5, no. 3 (2019): 17-17. https://kohljournal.press/Um-Alzalghouta.
 
[1] Huda is described as a “human being passionate about the Arabic language, who aims to create content for the causes of human beings in all shapes and forms” – author bio in Kohl Journal

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