Man at the Airport

Hassan Al Kontar was a young Syrian living and working in the UAE who was deported to Malaysia and became trapped in the arrivals zone at Kuala Lumpur Airport. He used social media and humor to tell his story and became an international celebrity, ultimately finding refuge in Canada. The film explores what it means to be a Syrian, an illegal, and a refugee, and the power of social media to amplify individual voices and facilitate political dissent.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 20 June 2021
Publisher: Tidewater Press

When civil war broke out in his home country of Syria in 2011, Hassan Al Kontar was a young Syrian living and working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Faced with the compulsory military service in Syria, Al Kontar refused to return and instead chose to live illegally in the UAE. However, his situation came to a head in November 2017 when he was deported to Malaysia. Trapped in the arrivals zone at Kuala Lumpur Airport, Al Kontar found himself unable to obtain a visa for any other country, leaving him stranded and in a state of limbo.

In this challenging situation, Al Kontar turned to social media and humor to share his story with the world. Through his humorous posts and videos, he gained international fame and became a symbol of the Syrian refugee crisis. His unique perspective and ability to convey his experiences through humor resonated with people across the globe, and he quickly amassed a large following on social media platforms.

Despite his newfound celebrity, Al Kontar remained a victim of geopolitics and the war that had forced him to flee his home. He continued to advocate for the Syrian people and the need for political change in his country, using his platform to raise awareness about the ongoing conflict and the plight of refugees.

Al Kontar's story is a powerful testament to the resilience and creativity of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It highlights the role of social media in amplifying individual voices and facilitating political dissent, particularly in times of crisis. Through his humor and storytelling, Al Kontar was able to connect with people on a global scale and inspire them to take action and support the cause of refugees and political prisoners.

In the end, Al Kontar's journey from a young Syrian living illegally in the UAE to an international celebrity and refugee in Canada is a story of resilience, hope, and the power of social media to bring about change. His story continues to inspire and motivate people around the world, reminding us of the importance of standing up for what is right and advocating for the marginalized and oppressed.

Weight: 262g
Dimension: 139 x 217 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781777010188