Forging a New Path
 
    On April 2, 2023, German-Syrian refugee mayor Ryyan Alshebl was elected as the mayor of Ostelsheim, Baden-Württemberg, in southwestern Germany. Nine years ago, he left his homeland to escape turmoil, and at the age of 29, he finally rooted himself in the place he chose, carving out a new world. Residents of the city said, "It's like a fairy tale came true."
   
    Ryyan Alshebl was born on September 1, 1994, in Suwayda Province, southern Syria. His mother was a teacher, and his father was an agricultural engineer. He described his life as carefree until the anti-government protests that began in 2011 escalated into civil war, exacerbated by the rise of the extremist group "Islamic State" (ISIS), which forced a large number of Syrians, including him, to flee their homes.

Supported by the Angel Mayor and his wife
 
    In 2015, at the age of 21, Ryyan Alshebl decided to leave his hometown in search of opportunities to start a new life. He feared that staying in Syria would eventually lead to conscription into combat. Along with some friends, he boarded a rubber boat, crossed the Mediterranean Sea, passed through Turkey and Greece, and finally arrived in Germany.

    Upon entering Germany, Ryyan Alshebl diligently studied German, hoping to quickly adapt to his new environment.

    He said at the time he felt there was only one thing he could do: to quickly stand up again and begin planning for the future as soon as possible.

In Syria, he earned a degree in Financial and Banking Management, but instead of pursuing a career in finance or banking, Ryyan Alshebl chose to work as an administrative clerk at the town hall near Ostelsheim in Althengstett. He received strong support from Mayor Clemens Goetz and his wife Isabel Goetz, also known as Angel Mayor, who endorsed his career. He started a three-year training program and set a goal of becoming mayor in his first year.
 
    Ryyan Alshebl, working as an administrative clerk at the town hall in Althengstett, Germany, dedicated himself to innovation for eight years. He led the digitization of municipal services, making them more convenient and accessible to all residents, earning widespread praise.
 
    Although he joined the Green Party, Ryyan Alshebl ran as an independent candidate. Drawing on his experience at the town hall, he formulated his mayoral campaign platform, prioritizing the digitization of public administrative services. He also pledged to provide more flexible childcare services, enhance efforts to combat climate change, and promised to move to Ostelsheim if elected.
 
    Voters responded positively to Ryyan Alshebl's commitments. Ultimately, in this small town with a population of only 2,500 people, he secured 55.41% of the vote, defeating two other independent German candidates, Marco Steauss and Mathias Fey. Steauss congratulated his opponent on Facebook and urged residents to support Ryyan Alshebl for the good of Ostelsheim.
 
    Ryyan Alshebl described his victory as deeply moving. Immediately after winning, he called his mother in Syria, who along with his family was thrilled and pleasantly surprised by the news. He expressed that Ostelsheim has set an example, showing the world what openness and cosmopolitanism truly mean. He admitted that if he had stayed in Syria, such an opportunity might never have come.
 
    Cosmopolitanism, in essence, is an ideology rooted in concepts of universal love, equality, and peace, advocating that every global citizen should be able to self-determine their development without discrimination.
 
    The Municipal Council of Baden-Württemberg stated that Ryyan Alshebl is the first Syrian to run for and win the position of mayor, and he officially took office in June 2023. The Minister for Integration, Manne Lucha, highlighted that Ryyan Alshebl's victory underscores the inherent diversity of Baden-Württemberg and hopes that this election will inspire more immigrants to pursue political positions.
 
Gaining the support of residents, the fairy tale came true
 
    Majority of the Ostelsheim Residents welcomed their new mayor, with cheers and expressions of joy upon hearing of his election. Annette Keck, a resident, expressed happiness at finding the right candidate for mayor and described it as a "fairy tale came true."
 
    Of course, the world isn't a fairy tale, and as a Syrian refugee in Germany, Ryyan Alshebl faced some prejudices and cold remarks during his campaign, especially from a minority of right-leaning voters who were reluctant to accept him due to his Syrian heritage. However, he emphasized that overall, the attitude towards him from voters was positive.
 
    Ryyan Alshebl mentioned that now he feels more fluent in speaking German than his native Arabic. When asked by the media if he considers himself German, he expressed his happiness in being in Germany and his desire to serve the country, feeling like he belongs to the society here.
 
Forever remember the little angel and the savior of refugees
 
    Alan Kurdi, a three-year-old Syrian Kurd child, drowned in the Mediterranean on September 2, 2015, and his photo became a global news headline.
 
    The small body on the Mediterranean coast is not just a symbol of the refugee crisis.
 
    Looking back to the Arab Spring starting in late 2010, after the revolution, who chose silence? And why silence? At that time, Ryyan Alshebl and a group of refugees were braving the Mediterranean, fighting against death. They could empathize the most with the feelings of Alan Kurdi's family shuttling through the gates of hell. "I smiled when I should smile, I slept when I should sleep, ... I bravely embarked on the journey, the waves surged, dad grabbed me and my brother..., at that moment, I closed my eyes, blood flowed from my eyes, the waves washed me ashore, it was the will of the prophet. Following His teachings, I bowed my head and knelt down to heaven, to the waves, to the world, bidding my last farewell. I left, leaving behind fear, leaving behind your rejection, leaving behind the longing for once loved."
 
This is a global media lamentation: Aylan Kurdi, a three-year-old Syrian Kurd boy—the most tragic ode.
 
    Aylan Kurdi was not the first refugee child to perish in the Mediterranean, nor will he be the last. For years before Aylan's death, the Mediterranean has borne witness to a relentless and terrifying refugee crisis, met with widespread indifference.
 
    Until Aylan's body lay beside wave after wave of the sea, surrounded by silence broken only by the sound of the waves, the silent world suddenly became a call, summoning the last remnants of humanity's conscience.
 
    Apart from eternal gratitude to Angela Merkel, the eternal Chancellor of Germany, for her commitment to integrating millions of refugees into Germany's success, We should also follow Alshebl to strive for self-reliance, self-help, and the support of angelic mayors Clemens Goetz and their spouses; we must love the Earth, live our lives well, and not let this life be in vain."
 
    Therefore, Alshebl braved the waves, conquered death, stood on his own feet, overcame language barriers, utilized his expertise in digitalizing rural areas, navigated through human emotions, sincerely dedicated himself to rural communities, and triumphed in fierce elections to become the world's first refugee mayor. His journey not only proves that talents are innate but also demonstrates the remarkable achievements of refugees."
 
    Especially since assuming office as mayor, Alshebl has made the city hall his home, wholeheartedly dedicating himself to the municipal government, and fulfilling each of his campaign promises. Like the ancient Chinese philosopher Mencius said, 'First worry about the world's worries and then enjoy the world's joys.' He is deeply loved by the people and everyone eagerly hopes he can achieve even greater heights: to eventually become the mayor of Stuttgart, the capital, benefiting even more people. Truly deserving of the title 'German-Syrian refugee mayor' and stood out among 3,683 candidates recommended worldwide, earning the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation’s “28th Global Love of Life Award in 2025.”

Search for Life Fighters from 233 Countries Worldwide

    Everyone can break the shackles of life; everyone’s life holds boundless possibilities.

    For 28 years, the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation, with the support and encouragement of communities worldwide, has tirelessly promoted the “Global Love of Life Movement,” advocating: Be good to yourself—cherish your own life; be good to others—respect others’ lives; be good to the Earth—protect the Earth’s life.

    To date, we have honored 481 Global Love of Life Award recipients from 81 countries across seven continents, along with 16 Global Love of Life Literature Award winners, including the chivalrous poet Cheng Chou-yu and Chinese chef-poet Song Chengbao, and 41 Hope Award recipients, such as anti-drug hero Kao Chao-liang and reformed figure Wu Shih-hsuan. Additionally, we have cared for and supported over 350,000 of the world’s most vulnerable children with cancer, including Mary Donita Uy, a bone cancer angel from a Philippine slum, helping them fight cancer with love and live with hope.

We are deeply grateful for the recognition and resonance from global media outlets such as CNN, BBC, NHK, Yahoo, YouTube, Facebook, and Baidu, which have widely reported our efforts as the “Nobel Prize of Life.”

    We are profoundly thankful for accolades including the 3rd National Public Welfare Award in 2001, the Hong Kong Loving Heart Award in 2010, the Ministry of Education Social Education Contribution Award in 2018, Colombia’s Congress Resolution No. 61 in 2019 granting its highest congressional honor, the United Nations NGO World Harmony Outstanding Contribution Award in 2021, and the China Charity and Filial Piety Culture Award in 2022. These recognitions inspire us to continue sharing, encouraging, and striving alongside global communities.

    The foundation warmly welcomes nominations of life warriors who demonstrate effort, compassion, courage, and achievement from people worldwide. (Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation Global Love of Life Award Nomination Hotline: +886-2-29178770, Fax: +886-2-29178768, Address: 3F, No. 52, Mingde Road, Xindian District, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan, Website: http://www.ta.org.tw, Email: ta88ms17@gmail.com).
 
Modern Refugee Legend
 
    Ryyan Alshebl, a Syrian refugee who has been in Germany for nine years, has remarkably been elected as the mayor of a small town through democratic means.
 
    Fairy tales often begin like this: 'Once upon a time, there was a child who...' However, in the face of irreversible climate change and watching wars escalate without being able to converse, who still believes in fairy tales?
 
    Life is so unpredictable. Nine years ago, Ryyan Alshebl was in a refugee camp, and today he is a mayor. It's incredible! It's amazing!
 
    Incredible yet undeniable, because this is a living, true story.
 
    And the beginning of the story, simple as a seed, drifting to fertile soil, where it takes root, sprouts, and grows strong."

A Lucky Seed

    Mayor Clemens Goetz of Althengstett was sitting in his office when Alshebl walked in and asked, "Mayor Clemens Goetz, do you think I can run for mayor?"

    Clemens Goetz wasn't sure if he was talking about the neighboring city of Ostelsheim, but the meaning was clear. This was a lucky seed, and it had landed in the fertile and nurturing Baden-Württemberg region of southwestern Germany.

    Clemens Goetz's first reaction was, " Alshebl, forget it! You are too young and lack experience. We also aren't sure if Ostelsheim is too conservative. Who would elect a newcomer—a foreign resident—as mayor?"

    In the beginning, Alshebl was an intern at the Althengstett city government and his German was poor. Clemens Goetz wondered if it made sense to keep him on. Later, his mentor said, "Yes, he is good, but the business school didn't want to admit him because his German wasn't good enough."

    So, Clemens Goetz called the business school and clearly told them that it wasn't their concern. It was the city's business. If the city government hired someone, they were responsible for training them. If his German wasn't good enough, that was the city's problem to deal with.

    If they failed again, it could be said that it was a waste of Germany's time, energy, and money, but that was the city's basic duty and had nothing to do with Alshebl.

    Alshebl made rapid progress and finally graduated in the top 5% of his class. He then joined the Ostelsheim city government, a city with a population of only 2,500.

Digitalization of Municipal Government

    A thick volume of Baden-Württemberg's administrative regulations reflected the state of digitalization here. During his three years of training as an administrative assistant, Alshebl had to fight tirelessly with it. Could people chat and joke with him? Did he have a special sense of humor? Could he handle administrative work? Yes, he could!

    Alshebl learned from the ground up. Who else but Clemens Goetz, who had also served as mayor, knew better if he could handle the position? Without the discerning eyes of Mayor Clemens Goetz and his wife, there would be no Alshebl today.

Striving for Support

    From training to now, especially during the election campaign, there has been incredibly strong support.

    Without the strong support of Mayor Clemens Goetz and his wife, Alshebl wouldn't have dared to take this step. Once he took the first step, Alshebl never stopped. Whether he could be elected was another matter, but Clemens Goetz thought he could certainly run for office in Ostelsheim, a person like him would benefit everyone.

    Clemens Goetz never considered whether he was a refugee or his story, he just thought, "This guy is good." The old gardener mayor didn't define Alshebl by his original refugee status, but would Alshebl, who speaks fluent German, be forgotten?

    What was on Alshebl's mind was obvious. What does it feel like to drown?

    Then all the mothers and children began to scream and pray until they reached the Greek island of Lesbos. Alshebl considered it the most difficult moment of his life. Those nightmarish events kept happening, bringing difficulties in every aspect of his life: housing, work, and social interactions.

    But whenever he thought of that experience, that night, and everything he went through, everything here seemed like a walk in the park, from then on, he was fearless.
 
    The chairman of the city's election committee, Jürgen Fuchs (former mayor of Altstadt), announced, "Mr. Alshebl has won 55.41% of the votes and is elected as the mayor of Ostelsheim."
 
Repaying with Action

    Dear citizens, at a moment when words fail, it's hard to say anything. Ostelsheim has set an example for all of Germany—a model of tolerance, openness, inclusivity, and love.

    Therefore, Alshebl pays tribute to everyone, truly speechless. Whether supporters who voted for him or opponents who competed with him, everyone sincerely applauds him.

    Everyone present knows this is a historic moment, not a miraculous emergence out of nowhere.

    But Alshebl and others! They are witnesses to the miracle of a seed that landed here by chance, took root, blossomed, and bore fruit.
 
Refugee Savior—Merkel: We Can Do It!
 
    In 2015, Chancellor Merkel let millions of Syrian refugees into Germany. She organized a grand coalition government, faced local elections everywhere, and even when her ruling party suffered defeat, she wasn't concerned about her own position.
 
    Firstly, she wanted to give Germany a new identity, not as a representative of a country that perpetrates massacres but as a humanitarian nation.
Secondly, she herself has deep empathy. As a child, she was a refugee from the divided East and West Germany. Her father, a pastor, originally from Hamburg, was willing to take them to East Germany even after the Iron Curtain had been drawn.
 
Influenced by Her Pastor Father
 
    In other words, he fully understands that he is taking them into a place ruled by a communist collective that doesn't offer freedom. Why? Because her father was a pastor, not there to enjoy himself but to make sacrifices and contributions.
 
    Her father believed that there were many Christian believers there. However, because it was a communist country, the communist system prohibited religion. So her father moved to rural areas in East Germany where conditions were more relaxed. Thus, she made a compromise, so her family was constantly monitored, moving from Hamburg to a small town in East Germany where they were repeatedly monitored. Her father wanted her brothers and sisters to be modest, low-key, and low-key.
 
    Why? Because the Christian people there need her father! This is a great father, teaching a daughter.
 
    At that time, there was no Berlin Wall, so they could return to Hamburg to see their relatives every now and then.
 
    Until the day the Berlin Wall was erected, her mother cried because they never saw their grandmother again, never saw their mother's mother, father and others, until the Berlin Wall fell.
 
    Therefore, for Merkel: What is called a refugee is a very clear experience in her growth.
 
    She believes that these Syrian refugees, having experienced such a severe civil war in Syria, traversed long deserts, crossed the perilous Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, and then faced continuous beatings, expulsions, and humiliations in Southern Europe, finally arrived in Germany.**
 
    The refugees did not come to be terrorists; even if there were a few, they were a tiny minority. She believes that the majority of them are Syria's local elite, carrying a strong sense of mission towards their past and future lives. They are willing to ensure better education for all refugees. Therefore, she decided not to just provide shelter but to integrate them as part of Germany.
 
    For Germany, firstly, it increases their labor efficiency. Due to Germany's aging population, they need this new workforce who are willing to work hard for their livelihoods.
 
    In fact, in the case of Hamburg, after accepting a group of refugees, although it initially cost a large sum of money to settle them, these refugees later found many jobs and factories gained workers. Many old barbershops finally found barbers. Many coffee shops and artists became Syrian artists and the main owners of coffee shops.
 
    Additionally, many women can help numerous families by providing household services, and so on. Finally, two years later, the tax revenue turned in just balanced the budget of the Hamburg City Government, with expenditures for the resettlement of these refugees.
 
Germany's New Calling Card
 
    Merkel changed the fate of one million Syrian refugees, but she also faced attacks and scrutiny from her ruling party at that critical moment. Consequently, during her election campaign, she promised that this would be her final term.
 
    What defines a great politician? It should be someone like her, who sacrifices her future political career to ultimately ensure that Germany can proudly bear the badge of a humanitarian nation.
 
    As for Syrian refugees, after being settled for some time in that place, initially there were disturbances and criticisms. However, there was eventually a fairy tale ending —Alshebl remained dedicated day in and day out, not only mastering German but also leveraging his computer skills to digitize rural municipal governance in Germany. He was elected as the world's first refugee mayor with the highest vote, demonstrating his dedication and earning admiration from all.

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