Arab Intellectuals Debate ‘National Dialogue for Syria’
Recently, Damascus hosted a two-day symposium entitled “National Dialogue for Syria” with the participation of prominent Arab intellectuals and authors from Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, and Egypt.
During his meeting with the intellectuals and authors who took part in the symposium which kicked off on February 24th at al-Assad Library in Damascus, Prime Minister, Wael al-Halqi stressed the intellectuals key role in unveiling the conspiracies hatched against the Arab nation to fragment it and plunder its wealth.
Al-Halqi added that the Arab intellectuals’ participation in the symposium reflects their support for Syria and their understanding for the US-Zionist fierce attack against the last steadfast and resisting fortress in the Arab region.
Al-Halqi, who praised the transparent atmosphere prevailed in the symposium, said the event brought together Syria’s lovers and supporters to discuss ways of saving the country and restoring national unity, security and stability.
He stressed that the government is keen to attain security and stability nationwide and to confront the cultural and media invasion which disseminates killing and distorts facts.
For their part, the Arab intellectuals stressed that they are confident that “Syria will win victory over its enemies and will remain the beating heart of Arabism.”
Challenges
Following the meeting, Arab intellectual, Yahya Abu Zakariya, told reporters that Arab intellectuals across the Arab world realize the challenges facing the (Arab) nation and its message.
“The crisis in Syria unmasked conflicts in the region and produced a comprehensive vision about the choice of either joining the camp of resistance and real Arab message, or the camp of being loyal to Zionism and its interests,” Abu Zakariya said.
He indicated that the Arabs, who are interested in halting bloodshed in Syria, must support dialogue based on the principle of preserving the Syrian national identity.
“The steadfastness of the Syrian state and its victory over the conspiracy and its tools is a victory to all Arabs… The terrorists’ attempts to spread fear through blasts and the West’s plans to hinder any civilized Arab project prove the bankruptcy of conspirators,” Abu Zakariya added.
Belongingness and loyalty
Additional comment about the crisis in Syria was made by Member of the Lebanese al-Marada Movement’s Politburo, Vera Yammine, who said: “The culture of belongingness to the homeland has contributed to enhancing the Syrians’ steadfastness and to creating a spirit of being ready to sacrifice to preserve Syria’s identity and dignity at any price so as to keep the country united and to emerge from the ongoing crisis stronger.”
Spokesman of the Palestinian Popular Liberation Front-General Command- Anwar Raja referred to the intellectuals’ pivotal role in enhancing the culture of resistance and loyalty to the homeland, in consolidating a popular situation in the Arab world that reconsiders priorities of the conflict and in confronting the plots targeting Arabs’ existence, civilization and identity.
Another viewpoint raised by the Egyptian intellectual, Ashraf Bayomi, asserted that launching dialogue in Syria at all levels renews hopes for attaining an immediate solution to the current crisis.
He indicated the importance of studying the situation in the Arab countries in the past two years and of focusing on how certain political mentalities were developed in some Arab societies.
Recommendations
The symposium issued a statement including several recommendations and proposals stipulating for the reactivation of the Syrian intellectuals’ role in rebuilding moral values and upgrading social awareness through enhancing national belongingness and adherence to national unity and identity.
The statement also underlined the need to confront the fanaticism and exclusion mentality in order to keep national fabric strong and immune, so as all the Syrians could work hand in hand for the good of the homeland and its citizens.
Moreover, the statement considered scientific research as a national priority, so it called for avoiding past mistakes and holding special symposiums for Syrian youths.
The statement warned the Syrian youths against the dangerous effects of foreign-funded organizations and the false slogans of some media. It also called for reactivating youths’ role in providing useful ideas that benefit comprehensive national dialogue.
Among the recommendations was also a call for focusing on the important role of the armed forces in protecting the country’s security and borders.
Further steps
Culture Minister, Dr. Lubana Mshawah, in her speech at the conclusion of the symposium, said “by love we save our homeland, and by wisdom we can propose positive points on which decision-makers can depend to end the crisis in Syria.”
She added that the symposium aims to define intellectual’s role in national dialogue and in building minds,” noting that the symposium is a step to be followed by further ones on the right path.
Principle of dialogue
Information Minister, Omran al-Zoubi, who took part in the symposium said: “Our enemies are those who neither feel proud of their belongingness to Syria nor respect the country’s heritage.”
On the symposium’s topic “National Dialogue’s Role in Supporting Our Existence”, the minister said common points could be reached through dialogue and when “we depend on the principle of dialogue this means that we reject the principle of fighting”.
He underscored that the political plan recently proposed by President Bashar al-Assad to resolve the crisis in Syria is wider than a political initiative as it also includes key dimensions connected to economy and reconstruction.
“The principle of dialogue is not the creation of the Syrian leadership. It is as old as history. Besides, it can’t be stopped so long as it is connected to the core of human beings, and now it is being invested in political work,” al-Zoubi said.
He pointed out that pre-stances adopted by opposition forces abroad towards any proposal to surpass the crisis was because they didn’t read or understand President Bashar al-Assad’s speech and political plan.
The minister said: “laying down weapon is not cowardice or surrender, and it can’t be described like this except when it is done during a battle with Israel or with other foreign enemy.”
In the same context, Journalists Union’s Head, Ilyas Murad, stressed that political solution is the only way to foil the Zionist plot and aggression on Syria.
Basma Qaddour