Muslim Mindset: Syrian Refugee Crisis

The Syrian Civil War, which started in 2011, has displaced over 10 million people. The majority of the 220,000 people killed as a result of the conflict are civilians. The Syrian government has indiscriminately bombed neighborhoods of non-combatants. Rebel groups opposed to the Syrian government have been fighting each other for power.

This has all led to the evacuation of three million from Syria, the majority of them seeking refuge in Lebanon and Jordan, the smallest countries in the Middle East, who are inept at caring for them all.

This is the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II. Although many United Nations refugee camps operate in Jordan and Lebanon, there are still hundreds of thousands of people living in makeshift camps. During these winter months many refugees go without blankets or adequate protection from the elements.

This is a chance for the U.S. to change its reputation in the Muslim world. To become a friend, instead of an enemy that carpet bombs entire countries and stages coups. Of course the U.S. should be involved militarily in the war against ISIS and the Syrian government, but the humanitarian aspect is just as important. We must make sure Syrian refugees have adequate living conditions and help them resettle and find employment.

If we as a country ignore the humanitarian problem like we have in the past, anti-U.S. sentiment will increase and cause only more war and conflict.  We’ll continue to be seen as the aggressor that only looks out for its own interests instead of the interests of humanity. Our negligence will be used by extremists as recruiting mechanisms. U.S. citizens will continue to be at risk at home and abroad.

This is a crossroads for American foreign policy. We have the opportunity to change the course of history for the best. For both America and the global Muslim population.