A Syrian Father’s Journey to Find His Son
Podcast: The Journal
Hosts: Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson
Episode Release Date: April 28, 2025
Produced by: Spotify and The Wall Street Journal
Additional Reporters: Ben Solomon, Belle Cushing, Arub Hamoud, Rasha Ali
Introduction: Suleiman Al Yusuf’s Unwavering Search
A heart-wrenching tale of hope, despair, and resilience unfolds as Suleiman Al Yusuf, a father of seven from outside Damascus, has spent the last twelve years searching for his missing son, Shadi.
Kate Linebaugh introduces Suleiman Al Yusuf:
"Suleiman Al Yusuf is a father of seven. He lives outside Damascus and works odd jobs. Twelve years ago, his son Shadi went missing and he's been looking for him ever since."
[00:10]
First Impressions: Ben Solomon’s Encounter with Suleiman
Ben Solomon recounts his initial meeting with Suleiman, highlighting his gentle demeanor and relentless determination despite limited resources.
Ben Solomon:
"He was just very kind, very gentle and really just soft spoken. It was clear that he didn't come from a lot of money... he was going to do whatever he could."
[00:34]
The Clue: A Fateful Video
Suleiman shares the pivotal moment that rekindled his hope: a video capturing the release of prisoners after the fall of Syria's dictator. Among the crowd, he believes he spotted his son.
Kate Linebaugh:
"Suleiman showed Ben the only clue that he had that his son was alive. A video... Suleiman pointed to one man who he said is his son... if you put him among a million people, I could still pick him out."
[01:03]
Ben Solomon:
"And when he showed us the video, I mean, it was shocking."
[01:51]
The Disappearance: Shadi’s Last Days
Shadi, 25 at the time of his disappearance in 2013, was described by his parents as dignified and ambitious. Despite his parents' efforts to keep him safe amidst Syria’s turmoil, tragedy struck when he ventured into Damascus against their wishes.
Ben Solomon:
"So Suleiman told us that the last day that he saw his son, the son was trying to go out, trying to work... He took the car keys away and hid them so his son wouldn't sneak off."
[04:19]
Kate Linebaugh:
"Shadi disappeared. At a time of tremendous conflict in Syria... Suleiman had wanted his family to keep a low profile."
[04:39]
Years of Uncertainty: The Struggle for Answers
For years, Suleiman combated systemic issues that made locating missing persons nearly impossible. The oppressive Assad regime indiscriminately arrested men of military age, plunging families like Suleiman's into prolonged uncertainty and despair.
Ben Solomon:
"This was a systemic machine of disappearing people that were opposed to the government... there was no recourse to try to find what happened..."
[06:48]
A Glimmer of Hope: The Video Findings
In December of the previous year, Assad’s overthrow led to the release of thousands from prison amidst chaos. Suleiman believed he recognized Shadi in footage from Sidnaya prison, igniting a renewed search.
Ben Solomon:
"I immediately thought, wow, this is going to end with a happy ending... it was a much more complicated and much more powerful and also sad but also hopeful story."
[02:03]
Kate Linebaugh:
"Suleiman found that video of the man who looked like Shadi... the video shows a crowd of freed prisoners thanking God for freeing them."
[08:43]
Ben Solomon:
"And at one point, I asked him if seeing the video made him feel better or worse, and he said, of course, better... but I just am dying to find him."
[08:43]
The Pursuit: Leveraging Community and Technology
Determined not to let hope fade, Ben Solomon and local journalist Arub Hamoud collaborated to trace the man in the video. Their efforts culminated in a breakthrough connection via Facebook, leading to an emotional revelation that the man was not Shadi.
Ben Solomon:
"We started looking for this photo and we just put out word... Does anybody know who this person was?"
[12:47]
Arub Hamoud:
"Finally... a man wrote to her and said, hey, that's actually my cousin... and here's his story."
[13:18]
The Heartbreaking Discovery: Realizing Shadi is Gone
The phone call between Suleiman and the supposed Shadi brought unbearable sorrow. Recognizing the voice mismatch, Suleiman faced the grim reality that his son was no longer alive.
Ben Solomon:
"I think he knew as soon as he started talking to him, this is not my son... he slowly realized that this is not his son and that this is the end of his search."
[14:10]
Kate Linebaugh:
"The man wasn't Shadi... Suleiman stared at the ground... 'Shadi is gone.'"
[16:24]
A Nation of Lost Hopes: Shared Stories of Disappearance
Suleiman’s experience is not isolated. Many Syrians have faced similar heartaches, mistaking the appearances of others for their lost loved ones amidst the chaos and lack of information.
Ben Solomon:
"Many people were posting the same photo... it was really inspiring, and in other ways, it was really, really hard to hear and see."
[16:56]
Conclusion: The Lingering Hope and Ongoing Pain
While Suleiman grapples with the acceptance of his son's absence, a part of him retains hope. His story mirrors the broader Syrian struggle to rebuild and find closure amidst decades of conflict and loss.
Ben Solomon:
"I think even though he kind of has to say goodbye to this hope... maybe he's still out there and maybe there's something he doesn't know."
[17:56]
Kate Linebaugh:
"It's hard to know what happens next as the new country just tries to rebuild itself from... war."
[19:13]
Notable Quotes:
-
Ben Solomon on Initial Impressions:
“He was just very kind, very gentle and really just soft spoken.”
[00:34] -
Suleiman on the Video:
“If you put him among a million people, I could still pick him out.”
[01:03] -
Shadi’s Mother, Umm Fadi:
“He's my son. What's more to say, he's a piece of my heart.”
[10:09] -
Ben Solomon on the Call's Impact:
“I think it was really tough to see him slowly realize that this is not his son.”
[16:24]
Final Thoughts:
Suleiman Al Yusuf’s relentless quest to find his son Shadi encapsulates the broader narrative of loss and hope amidst Syria’s turbulent history. The Journal episode poignantly captures the emotional journey of a father navigating the labyrinth of war, oppression, and the quest for truth. Through engaging storytelling and heartfelt interviews, listeners gain a profound understanding of the human cost of conflict and the enduring spirit of those left searching for their loved ones.