S1 E0 - Trailer

Behind The Sun

Season 1 Trailer

NADIA AL-BUKAI In Syria and other countries in the Middle East, "behind the sun" is a term that strikes fear in the hearts and minds of many. People say it when they speak about someone who has disappeared, usually under suspicious or forced circumstances. Often, regime henchmen say this phrase to emphasise their ability to hide people without a trace. They have been known to tell whoever they were arresting, "We are gonna take you behind the sun, and the blue flies will never know where you are."

To disappear behind the sun means to live in the darkness and to be banished from life without actually dying. And those outside are left confused and uncertain about the fates of their loved ones.

GHUFRAN In Syria, you don't know if your detainee is still alive or dead.

NADIA AL-BUKAI My name is Nadia al-Bukai. My family and I left Syria six years ago out of fear of my father's own persecution. In this new podcast series called Behind the Sun, produced by Message Heard, we're going to tell you a story not many outside of Syria know.

In this six-part journey, you'll be hearing from people who were and still are part of the very real and ongoing horrors in Syria.

NOOR Of course, the fear actually paralyse. Paralyse your body, your thoughts, your everything.

NADIA AL-BUKAI But outside of that, these are also stories of friendships forged in the darkest of circumstances, stories of those who survived against the odds. And more, this is the story of two men fighting for everyone left behind.

DIAB SERRIH Nowadays, my kids tell me that Riyad is my brother.

NADIA AL-BUKAI The first and second episodes of "Behind the Sun" will be released April 19th, and a new episode each Tuesday after that.

This podcast was co-produced by The Syria Campaign, in collaboration with the Association of Detainees and the Missing in Sednaya Prison and The Syria Justice and Accountability Centre.

Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts.

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