Ryad Al-Shabel is a success story of a young man from As-Suwayda who, years after seeking asylum in Germany, was able to become the mayor of the town of Ostelsheim in the state of Baden-Württemberg, southwest Germany.
Ryad Al-Shabel was born in As-Suwayda in 1994 and was elected mayor of Ostelsheim last year, winning 55.41% of the votes in the first round of the direct election.
He entered the election as an independent, without belonging to any party, although he states personally that he is a member of the Green Party.
During the election campaign, he toured the town, which has a population of 2,500, presenting himself and his electoral program.
According to his confirmation, he visited more than 200 homes during the weeks leading up to the election.
The day after the election, Al-Shabel told the German Press Agency (DPA) that Ostelsheim had become a symbol of openness and tolerance. "It is unusual for these generally conservative rural areas."
Ryad emigrated from Syria and arrived via Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece to the small town of Althengstett, located a few kilometers from Ostelsheim. There, he learned German and joined a training program at the town hall. He then eventually enrolled in a dual vocational training program to become a qualified administrative official in 2016, becoming responsible for daycare centers and the digital transformation project "digitization".
Through his new position, Al-Shabel seeks to provide flexible options for childcare and the elderly, as well as working for climate protection and supporting organizations.
