While Syria is going through the worst economic crisis in years, many Syrians have been busy during the past hours, with the opening of an advisor to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Luna al-Shibl, a luxury restaurant in the center of the capital, Damascus.
Videos of the opening ceremony sparked widespread criticism on social media, amid outrage at the imaginary prices of meals, as the lowest amounted to 100,000 Syrian pounds, which is roughly equivalent to an employee’s salary.
The Syrians circulated pictures of the restaurant, which was located on the Mezzeh Highway, and where Russian chefs appeared supervising the place.
“The heroine of steadfastness opens a multi-million dollar restaurant”
The comments also criticized the association of Al-Cub’s name with the restaurant, which has always been described as a “champion of steadfastness” as it repeatedly called on the Syrians to be patient in the face of the most difficult and worst economic and living conditions, to open today a luxurious restaurant that cost millions of dollars, which most of them cannot go to, according to local media outlets.
While the restaurant’s official page on Instagram shared a post for the husband of Al-Shibl, a member of the ruling Baath Party, Ammar Saati and her partner in the restaurant, apologizing to customers because all tables are reserved, scenes from the opening day confirmed the presence of many empty places. Some also talked regarding free invitations.
A hard-earned life…and thousands of dollars’ worth of views
It is noteworthy that Al-Shibl has always angered and resented millions of Syrians because of her words regarding resilience in the face of poor living conditions, while her looks cost thousands of dollars.
Syria has been suffering for several years from several crises, including fuel, energy, and bread, in addition to the collapse of the lira, which has no catastrophic effects on all aspects of life in it, and has made it a difficult life.
Luna al-Shibl and Ammar Saati (archive)
It is noteworthy that during the past days, the Syrian pound fell once more to a record level with the scramble to buy the dollar in a country suffering from a severe shortage of foreign exchange.
The collapse of the currency led to a rise in inflation, which increased the suffering of the Syrians to provide for the cost of food, energy and other basic needs.
While the United Nations and many relief organizations have repeatedly warned that the Syrians are facing an unprecedented hunger crisis, with more than 9.3 million people lacking enough food.