The Thinking Muslim

Syria Under Al-Sharaa: Will It Hold? | Ghassan Hitto

Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membership Donate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here: http://btml.us/thinkingmuslim In this episode, we sit down with Ghassan Hitto, Executive Director of Syrian Forum and former Prime Minister of the Syrian Interim Government, for an in-depth conversation on Syria’s economic collapse, humanitarian crisis, and the immense challenge of rebuilding a nation devastated by more than a decade of war. With over 90% of Syrians living below the poverty line, millions displaced, and reconstruction costs estimated at over $216 billion, Syria stands at a critical crossroads. What will recovery actually require? Who will shape it? And how can rebuilding serve the Syrian people rather than outside interests? Ghassan Hitto shares his insights from years of humanitarian, economic, and development work inside Syria and across the region. In this conversation, we discuss: • The reality of poverty and welfare in Syria today • What reconstruction costs truly mean on the ground • Housing, displacement, and the refugee return question • The impact of lifted sanctions — and why it’s only a first step • Banking, investment, and economic recovery • Rebuilding Syria’s education and healthcare systems • The role of youth, agriculture, and economic participation • Governance, corruption, and political legitimacy • The importance of civil society in rebuilding • The role of Islamic institutions like waqf, zakat, and charitable networks • What a truly Syrian model of recovery could look like This is a vital conversation about the future of Syria — not just rebuilding infrastructure, but restoring dignity, institutions, and hope for millions of Syrians. Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion and let us know your thoughts in the comments. You can find Ghassan Hitto here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/President.ghassanhitto/?locale=en_GB Become a member here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membership Or give your one-off donation here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donate Listen to the audio version of the podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636a Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762 Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merch Find us on: X: https://x.com/thinking_muslim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/ Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslim BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcast Find Muhammad Jalal here: X: https://twitter.com/jalalayn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/ Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.com Website Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com Disclaimer: The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 01:30 – Growing Up in Syria 08:00 – The Syria Forum: How Will Syrians Move Forward? 12:30 – Fear of Revolution: Can Governance Avoid Past Mistakes? What Guarantees Exist for the New Government? 18:10 – Banking System Challenges & Their Impact on Ordinary Syrians 21:50 – How Can We Ensure Foreign Investment Truly Benefits Syria? 25:30 – The Assad Regime & Opportunities for Future Investment 29:02 – Rebuilding Syria: Bringing Back Talent, Knowledge & Expertise 33:04 – How Non-Syrians Can Support Syria’s Recovery 37:30 – Does Syria Have the Capacity to Support Large Numbers of Tourists? 44:20 – Understanding Syria’s Minority Communities 49:20 – Managing Expectations: Reconciliation vs Retribution 59:40 – Where Is Syria Heading in the Next 5–10 Years?