The mass asylum from Ukraine drew sympathy on social media in the Middle East, but the warmth of their welcome in Europe evoked a tinge of sadness over the treatment of Arab and Muslim refugees.

The writer Mona Al-Najjar said - in an article published by the American newspaper "The New York Times" - that the scene of the mass escape from Ukraine yesterday, Saturday, resonated deeply in the Middle East, where many resorted to social media to express their sympathy and coexist with the plight of those who are now forced to flee their homes.

She added that this sympathy - in a region blighted by seemingly endless wars - was tinged with bitterness from some who saw that European countries take a more sympathetic stance towards Ukrainians than in recent years towards Arab and Muslim immigrants who are desperately trying to reach the shores of Europe.

double standards

Al-Najjar pointed to the spread of pictures of destroyed cities in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen on the Internet, with memos and comments accusing Western democracies of fueling violence and destabilizing these countries while evading responsibility and applying double standards, especially in their treatment of refugees.

She posted many tweets expressing sympathy and bitterness;

She quoted Lina Zayim, an employee in the telecommunications sector in Lebanon, as saying, "Imagine that the human face of Ukrainian refugees also appears on refugees in the Middle East and North Africa. Imagine sovereignty and dignity as human rights not linked to race or nationality."

Arab critics said that migrants from Muslim and Arab countries are often seen as a threat, rejected, and at times faced with force and violence while trying to enter Europe.

the same countries

Rana Khoury, a Syrian-American researcher at Princeton University who focuses on the study of war and displacement, said: “What is happening in Ukraine is very tragic and heartbreaking to watch, but like many others, I have also seen how these same countries have put so many obstacles in front of refugees fleeing from The conflicts in the Middle East are opening their borders to the Ukrainians."


Last November, Polish security forces beat migrants from the Middle East and Afghanistan with batons as they tried to cross the border.

In return, refugees who arrived from Ukraine at the Polish border over the past few days were greeted with smiles and hot drinks, and taken to railway stations.

sarcasm europe

"So what you're saying is that Europe knows how to welcome humanity and mercy with a large and sudden influx of Migrants, refugees fleeing war?"

Many Syrians opposed to President Bashar al-Assad's government watched the invasion of Ukraine with special interest, having personally suffered from Russia's military intervention in their country, which has devastated cities and driven millions of people from their homes.

Some posted pictures on social media of car lines fleeing the encroachment of Russian-backed Syrian forces two years ago, next to photos of car lines fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

blatant discrimination

The writer recalled the sinking of boats coming from the Middle East with their passengers, and the closure of the borders of many European countries to them.

There is a tendency to blame the region's culture for the violence in the Middle East, said Jumana Kaddour, a researcher at the Atlantic Council who focuses on Syria.

Yesterday, Saturday, a video clip comparing Ukraine and two war-torn countries appeared, sparking a storm of criticism.

In that clip, CBS reporter Charlie Dagata described the flight of tens of thousands of Ukrainians, expressing his shock, saying, "But this is not a place - with all due respect - like Iraq or Afghanistan, which has witnessed raging conflict for decades." .