At Karam, we believe in the power of storytelling and art to preserve the legacy of resilience and hope. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce an exclusive collection of designs inspired by Syria’s journey to freedom, created by architect and lighting designer Amer Al-Shamaa. Every purchase from the Karam store directly supports our mission to help rebuild Syrian communities and empower future generations.

Amer shares his personal journey from Damascus to the U.S., his passion for design and architecture, and how he’s using his passion to contribute to Syria’s future. Read on to discover the inspiration behind his work and how you can be part of this movement.

Karam: Can you introduce yourself?
AA: My name is Amer Al-Shamaa. I am an architectural designer specializing in lighting design. I am originally from Damascus, Syria, specifically from the Al-Amara neighborhood. 

Karam: When did you leave Syria, and why?
AA: I immigrated from Syria in 2013. At the time, I was a student at Damascus University, studying architecture. My first year was at Homs University. I lived in Bab Sbaa during my freshman year until the revolution started, and I had to leave everything behind and continue my architecture studies at Damascus University. In the second year, when the revolution was at its peak, the shelling in Damascus became intense, and our university was heavily affected. One day, a mortar struck our architecture faculty building, leading to a temporary suspension of classes. Coincidentally, my long-awaited immigration interview was scheduled shortly after. That was my way out.

Karam: Were you on campus when the shelling happened?
AA: No, but my friends were. A few of my classmates even died as a result. Another mortar hit near the Sheraton Hotel, close to where I was at the time, so nowhere was really safe. 

Karam: How did it feel to leave university when you were just three years away from graduating?
AA: Honestly, I wasn’t thinking about the uncertainty ahead. I just wanted to leave because it wasn’t safe. And there was no future for me in Syria under the oppressive regime.

Karam: What challenges did you face while leaving Syria?
AA: A couple of days before my immigration interview, I was hanging out with friends in the Mezzeh district. As we were leaving, around midnight, a security raid was happening nearby. We were stopped by two armed officers and told to raise our hands. They forced us against the wall in an alley. At the time, field executions were common. I genuinely believed I wasn’t going to make it to my interview, and that was the end for me.

One of my friends had a security ID and tried to use it to get us out of trouble. Instead, it backfired, and they accused him of being an informant, which made things worse. They searched our phones but, luckily, they found nothing. After interrogating us, they eventually let us go. That same night, I packed my bags and told my father, “I’m not leaving this house except to go to the airport.” The next few days, I left Syria for good.

Karam: How did it feel to leave your childhood home, knowing you might never return?
AA: Growing up, I moved around a lot, even living in Saudi Arabia as a child. So I never formed deep, long-term friendships. I was somewhat accustomed to a nomadic lifestyle. However, leaving my friends and my memories in Syria was the hardest part. They were like family to me. I didn’t feel attached to the country itself because it never felt like it belonged to us; it belonged to a regime that didn’t represent us.

Karam: What was your first experience in the U.S. like?
AA: I arrived in New York on Christmas Day, December 25, 2012. Everyone told me the city never sleeps, but when I arrived, everything was closed! Even finding food was a challenge. We ended up eating at a Syrian restaurant called Bab Al-Hara. I remember thinking, “I just left Syria, and now I’m eating the same food here.”

Karam: Did you face difficulties adjusting to life in the U.S.?
AA: Yes, especially in the education system. In Syria, we were not guided or taught enough. So, in the U.S., I had to figure things out on my own—how to apply to universities, transfer credits, and navigate a completely different academic system. It was overwhelming at first.

Karam: Why did you choose to specialize in lighting design?
AA: Architecture runs in my family; my father is also an architect. I was always fascinated by the tools he used. I was also good at drawing and calligraphy as a child. Lighting design, however, was not something I initially considered. During my studies in New York, I took a course on lighting and acoustics and fell in love with it. I wanted a niche, specialized field, and lighting design fit perfectly. Plus, I discovered that education in Europe was free, so I pursued my master’s degree in Germany.

Karam: Did you face challenges in Germany because you were Syrian?
AA: Absolutely. For example, when applying for my visa, I had to wait for background checks from Germany. The delay was so long that my university was about to cancel my enrollment. I wrote an email to every contact I could find at the university and the German consulate, expressing my frustration about being blocked from education just because of my nationality. Within 48 hours, the university intervened, and my visa was approved.

Karam: What does Syria mean to you now?
AA: Before 2012, Syria was not very significant to me. I associated it with fear, lack of opportunity, and a regime that didn’t represent us. My connection was always to the people, not the place. But after witnessing the sacrifices made during the revolution, I now feel a deep sense of belonging. Syria is no longer just a place; it’s an identity, a movement, and a symbol of resilience.

Karam: Where were you when Syria was declared free?
AA: I was at home with my wife and a friend’s mom, who was visiting from Syria, watching the news. It felt surreal, so I immediately contacted my friends to confirm it was real. More than anything, I was relieved for the people still inside Syria, those who had suffered the most.

Karam: You’ve designed artwork symbolizing a free Syria. What inspired you?
AA: I always wanted to contribute to my country and the people who shaped me. My first attempt was after the 2023 earthquakes when I created a design to support relief efforts. Later, I felt a strong urge to do something meaningful to commemorate Syria’s freedom.

I chose the Damascus Sword Monument as a symbol because, on the day of liberation, people from all over Syria gathered around it. It represents pride, resilience, and strength. Similarly, I designed a calendar page marking Syria’s liberation date because, for Syrians, time stood still on that day.

Karam: What advice would you give to young Syrians dreaming of rebuilding Syria?
AA: Honestly, they inspire me. Their resilience, hope, and determination are remarkable. They have lived through war, displacement, and natural disasters, yet they still dream of a better Syria. My advice would be to never let go of that dream and to keep learning and growing because Syria will need them to rebuild.

Karam: What would you say to non-Syrians who stood with Syrian refugees but now believe no more support is needed?
AA: I would tell them that now is when the real work begins. Syria is free, but we need to rebuild the country from the ground up. Education, social development, and economic support will be crucial. The international community’s support should not end with liberation—it should continue to help Syrians create a sustainable and just future.

Shop Amer’s designs here.