In the history of Syria during the times of the Ottoman empire, there were courts that were established in order to settle disputes amongst people but in the first three years not even one person entered them due to the fact that people were able to resolve their issues amongst themselves in the four known references that were present in society at the time which were developed by themselves. They were:
– A known and respected figure delegated in each region to whom the people referred to, to settle affairs
– A senior professional reference for each profession
– A respected figure was considered a reference for each family (extended family)
– A religious reference for each religion
The Syrian people have remained for about 50 years afraid of each other due to the criminal regime planting fear and mistrust amongst them
There are attempts to divide Syria, and they will fail as those had failed in the past to divide it
We need to have dialogue between all sides of the revolutionists (from whatever background) who are facing unprecedented circumstances as a response to those who are trying to destroy the fabric of society.
We have to mention, that:
– We reject each ideology legally and morally that freely accuses others of heresy and allows the shedding of their blood
– We reject any ideology that allows the people to force themselves upon others
– We reject any ideology that wishes to threaten the stability and fabric of Syrian society
The rights of people exist simply by their existence, not by their size of their population and it is not permitted for anyone to violate these legal, human and moral rights
Whatever the differences there are between us we have to learn how to listen to each other and understand each other, and this is one of the main things that was missing during the reign of this regime (understand me first even if you will reject me later)
I call the revolutionists to actively connect to one another
60% from the peaceful activism and relief work was lead by women and were it not for the Syrian woman the Syrian revolution would have proceeded
Thousands of women are in prison, they are the key of the revolution
Thousands of children are in prison, they are the soul of the revolution
Doctors, peaceful activists, bakers… who couldn’t tolerate the oppression any longer so some others took up arms.
We need to preserve our cultural identity which the regime is attempting to destroy, not only the infrastructure.
Up until now the regime has failed to ignite a sectarian war and our society still remains strong and shall become even stronger, and this gathering is proof of that, and within Syria there are even more of these happening.
Some people have said “if such and such a person is gone then there will be no more Syria”. We do not believe in the individual, we believe in God. Thousands of years of culture and civilisation are not connected to the existence or extinction of one person.
Work and projects do not depend on just one person. It is not the position that should be respected but rather the principle that is upheld by the one in that position.
I do not worry for a Muslim or a Christian or any other component from our society, I worry just for the human, the Nation, which is more important than the revolution and anything else and we have to maintain it.
We call for the revolutionists to establish small councils so they become used to managing their own affairs, and they are definitely capable of doing that, and those who are outside the country should allocate facilities (Waqf) for the support of each one of these councils as this (Waqf) is part of our culture and religion because the charity ends while the (Waqf) does not.
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