Residents of Raqqa named the municipal stadium the Black Stadium after its black stands. No one expected that blackness would one day become a terrifying part of the memory of the place.
In 2013, young people were deprived of sports and the shouts of fans shouting on the stands of the municipal stadium in Raqqa subsided, and the stadium became military headquarters for various extremist and rival factions.
With ISIS taking control of Raqqa, the stadium turned into one of the largest prisons in the city and was known as Point 11. ISIS has turned stadium halls into rooms for torturing innocent civilians, and the halls have been turned into places for carrying out almost daily executions. At that time, the cries and groans of the oppressed replaced the joy and shouts of the fans.
On October 20, 2017, the stadium witnessed an exceptional event. The heroes of the Syria Democratic Forces rallied there, declaring the liberation of the city of Raqqa from the oppression of the terrorist organization ISIS.
Thanks to the sacrifices of the martyrs, the Municipal Stadium once again opened its doors to young men and women. Its sports halls were refurbished, and the stadium was revitalized to once again host sporting events and community gatherings. Each year, the stadium serves as a poignant reminder of the city’s resilience and the triumph of good over evil. The Liberation Day commemoration, an annual event held at the stadium, brings together the people of Raqqa alongside the SDF heroes. It stands as a testament to the unwavering spirit of the people and the unwavering resolve of the youth to overcome the darkness of oppression. The Black Stadium, once a symbol of oppression, now stands as a beacon of hope, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the people of Raqqa. Their resilience in the face of adversity serves as an inspiration to all who strive for freedom and justice.
