Journalist-to-Refugee Pipeline

Abdulrahman Matar

Originally from Raqqa, Syria, Abdulrahman’s pen has cost him 10 years in prison. Arrested four times in Syria, and once in Libya; this was the price for writing, calling for freedom of expression, and his activism.

Publishing a critical analysis of the Assad regime’s handling of the pro-democracy protests that arose in Syria during the Arab Spring, Matar’s pen and voice resulted in constant harassment and surveillance from the ever-vigilant intelligence eye.

Back home, a director at a cultural center, Matar recounts when the unseen surveillance that permeates many lives in Syria became visible. Suddenly, security personnel were present every day at his workplace wanting an explanation for everything that happened; what did this visitor want and what programs were they hosting that day? But betrayal came from within. It became clear that a fellow director was feeding the intelligence service information. Soon after, Matar found himself summoned to often violent weekly interrogations.

After his fourth arrest, where he was subjected to severe torture, he knew he could not stay in Syria anymore. Fleeing to Istanbul, he made regular TV appearances as he tried to continue working as a journalist. During this time, his name was added to a blacklist compiled by ISIS, which exacerbated the threats against his life. Random strangers sent threats over Facebook: “We know everything about you, where you live, what you eat, where you go.”

In 2015, he left the refuge of Istanbul to make his way to Buffalo, New York, and then to Canada. When he declared he had no documentation at the Canadian border, hours of rigorous and detailed questioning started. Bloodshot eyes and sleepless, Abdulrahman almost gave up. He told his interpreter that he did not need to enter Canada, and to please end the interrogation. Sitting down with the clusters of families in the “Living room” a border agent held out a paper to sign, and without knowing what it was, he signed. Confused, strangers started congratulating him, explaining that he had just signed his landing papers. As he left the Canada Border Services Agency office, the winter sunset was approaching and under Canadian protection, he slept well for the first time in 15 years.

Now residing in north Toronto, Matar is the managing editor of the literary magazine Awraq, as well as the founder and director of the Syrian-Mediterranean Cultural Forum which focuses on introducing Arab writers and artists to the Canadian community. However, as a writer and journalist in exile, facing numerous employment and cultural barriers, he also has to work in factories to make ends meet. In 2021, he was the recipient of the Arts Commitment Award from the Happening Multicultural Festival for his continuous efforts to amplify stories of the Syrian diaspora through literature and events.