Druze spiritual leader in Suweida says open to cooperation with gov
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Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Suwayda, expressed openness to cooperating with the Syrian Interim Government, provided it does not monopolize power.
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Druze men walk in the village of Rami in the southern province of Suweida, Syria, Thursday, October 4, 2018. (AP)
Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in al-Suweida, affirmed his openness to cooperation with the Syrian Interim Government, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and the rejection of unilateral decision-making.
In a statement, Sheikh al-Hijri said that the Syrian Interim Government had assured him it would not monopolize power or decision-making, a key concern for the people of al-Suweida.
He underscored that the public would not accept moving from one system of security control, oppression, and corruption to another with a similar approach under a different guise.
Reaffirming his community’s principles, Sheikh al-Hijri stated, "There is no separation, and our allegiance remains solely to the homeland and its people." His remarks come amid ongoing developments in al-Suweida, where protests and calls for reform have shaped the political landscape.
Syria's Druze, Kurdish admin discuss 'peace, future'
In January, a delegation from the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), the political wing of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), visited Sheikh al-Hijri at his residence in Qanawat. The delegation was led by the co-chair of the council, Leyla Qaraman.
The visiting delegation, representing the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, included Ali Rahmoun, deputy co-chair of the SDC, Janda Ramo, a member of the Women's Office, and Fawzi Shankali, secretary-general of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Accord Party. Representatives from the Political Committee of the National Democratic Action group also attended the meeting.
Discussions centered on the current situation in Syria following the fall of the previous regime. According to the SDC's official website, the attendees highlighted the critical phase the country is undergoing and the challenges facing the Syrian people.
The meeting emphasized the importance of preserving civil peace and rejecting a return to violence and conflict. Attendees stressed the need for Syria's territorial integrity as an irreplaceable priority.
Future visions for rebuilding Syria were also discussed, focusing on establishing a civil and democratic state founded on principles of equal citizenship and separation of powers. The importance of separating religion from the state was highlighted as a cornerstone for achieving institutional neutrality and ensuring equality among all citizens.
