He had asked the Syrian woman to cover her head: Jolani defended that photo

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, whose real name is Ahmed al-Shara, became the center of controversy after gesturing to a Syrian woman who wanted to take a photo with him during an event in northern Syria, indicating that she should wear a headscarf.

THE HEADSCARF GESTURE WAS CAPTURED ON CAMERA

The woman, understanding Jolani's hand gesture to cover her head, quickly covered her hair and took a photo with him. While those moments were captured on camera, the images, which spread rapidly on social media, brought concerns about a potential Islamist regime in post-Assad Syria back to the agenda.

The incident resonated not only in Syria but also in the international public sphere. On social media, users reacted by evaluating Jolani's action as an attitude that restricts personal freedoms.

'THIS IS MY FREEDOM'

Following the growing backlash, Jolani defended himself in an interview with the BBC. Making a statement regarding the images, the HTS leader said:

“I did not force her. However, I prefer that my photos be taken in a way that is appropriate for me. This is my freedom. Just as every individual has the right to live according to their beliefs, I also have the right to appear in a way that is consistent with my own values.”

Jolani's statements, rather than calming the debate, fueled it even further.

MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FROM THE WOMAN

The identity of the woman in the images was revealed shortly after. A young woman named Lea Kheirallah shared a video on social media and expressed her support for Jolani.

Kheirallah described the moment she covered her head with the following words:

“With the affection of a father who cares for his homeland, he requested that I cover my head. I am grateful to them for winning our freedom. My faith was strengthened thanks to him. He had the right to appear according to his own principles. However, I would like to point out that this request also included the American journalist who was conducting the interview.”

PHOTO WITH A GERMAN WOMAN CREATED CONTROVERSY

Before the debates could subside, a photo published by the Arab News Agency sparked a new polemic. Images of Jolani posing with a woman with uncovered hair during a meeting with a delegation from Germany drew attention.

This photo increased criticism that Jolani's attitudes were inconsistent. Many users on social media evaluated the fact that Jolani, who made the Syrian woman wear a headscarf, posed with the German woman with her hair uncovered as a hypocritical stance.