Apple has replaced Syria’s regime flag emoji with the Syrian independence flag associated with the 2011 revolution in the iOS 18.4 beta 2. The new emoji features Syria’s tricolor design, marking a significant shift for many Syrians. Users on social media have expressed their joy over this change, viewing the flag as a symbol of hope and opposition to authoritarian rule.
Apple has recently introduced the Syrian independence flag to its emoji keyboard, replacing the flag that represented the regime of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad. This change is part of the iOS 18.4 beta 2, which showcases the new Syrian flag associated with the 2011 revolution and currently used by the Syrian interim government.
Reports indicate that the first beta version of iOS 18.4 was released just a week prior to this announcement, with further updates anticipated for April. The newly released emoji proudly displays Syria’s tricolor design: green at the top, black at the bottom, and three red stars adorning the central white stripe.
In contrast, the previous emoji featured during the Assad regime depicted a red top, a black bottom, and two green stars in the white section. Following the announcement, Arab users expressed their elation on social media, celebrating the significant change. One user declared, “The new Syrian flag emoji on macOS 15.4 beta ya Allah I can’t believe it!”
Another exclaimed, “WE ARE SO BACK THE NEW SYRIAN FLAG DROPPED.” This update holds particular resonance for many Syrians who have faced over five decades of Assad family rule and a decade of civil conflict. The flag, initially designed during the French mandate, came to symbolize their independence struggle.
It was reintroduced by anti-Assad activists in 2011 as a symbol of their resistance against the regime. Syria officially adopted this flag upon gaining independence in 1946, but it was subsequently replaced in 1958 by the United Arab Republic’s flag, featuring two stars to represent Egypt and Syria’s political union. It was briefly reinstated in 1961 following Syria’s departure from the union before being replaced again after the Baathist coup in 1963.
The introduction of the Syrian independence flag emoji by Apple represents a symbolic shift away from the Assad regime’s legacy. It not only signifies a new beginning for many Syrians who have suffered under authoritarian rule but also highlights the ongoing relevance of this emblem in their pursuit of freedom and identity. The widespread celebration on social media underscores the emotional significance of this change for a nation grappling with its tumultuous past.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
