Syrian actress Shukran Mortaja shared on her official Instagram account a photo in front of her family home, accompanied by a heartfelt message expressing her longing for her late mother and memories of her childhood.

Mortaja wrote words describing the deep feelings she experienced when visiting her family home, saying: "I wished I would find the door open and my mother praying, calling out to her as she replies ‘Allahu Akbar’ to let me know she is praying. I would wait for minutes to fall into her arms, into her lap, and immerse myself in her scent, but all in vain—the door was locked with an iron padlock, and my mother was not there."

“It Was a Beautiful Lie”

She added: "I sat waiting for her as usual on the bench beside the tree, which too seemed withered from waiting, hoping she would return with her bag full of treats and open the locked door, just as my heart’s lock could only be opened with her key. The sun set, and my mother did not come—and she will not come… It was a beautiful lie I lived for hours, waiting for every bus hoping it would bring her, so I could meet her and offer her a glass of water." She concluded: "Perhaps my mother is also still waiting for me there; the water has dried, but my eyes have not."

Wide Engagement

The post received widespread engagement from followers, who expressed their solidarity with Mortaja, noting that her words evoked personal and moving memories with their own mothers. Several of her colleagues in the artistic community also shared messages of support, emphasizing that her sincere expression of emotions reflects the pain of loss and the authenticity of feeling, turning the post into a deeply human moment that transcends the screen.

Mortaja is known for her close bond with her mother, who was a pillar and role model in patience and giving. Her longing for her persists despite the years since her passing. Mortaja has appeared in multiple media interviews visibly moved when speaking about her mother, describing her in previous posts as “the sweet half” and “selfless to the utmost,” affirming that a mother’s spiritual presence never fades, no matter how long the absence.