HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The ousting of Bashar al-Assad’s regime after 54 years of authoritarian rule has brought new hope to Syrians worldwide, including approximately 16,000 refugees who have resettled in Florida.
“We are in shock, shock after 54 years of ruthless ruling,” said Doured Daghistani, a pediatric oncologist in Miami who immigrated from Damascus in the 1980s. “We are very happy. I think all the free fighters all over the world should be happy that the tyrant has gone.”
Daghistani recalled the peaceful protests for freedom in Syria in 2011 that were met with violence and repression. The brutal crackdown forced millions to flee their homes, resulting in a global refugee crisis…