President Bashar al-Assad on Monday said that it is impossible to understand the crises and wars in some Arab countries without understanding the problem of Arab thought.
Assad’s comments came during a meeting with head delegates of the Arab Writers Union, which touched on the issues of Arab culture and thought and their important role and influence on Arab societies.
Assad stressed the need for creating a state of mental protection in Arab societies, which requires a renewed way of thinking and methodical dialogue among Arab intellectuals to set pressing priorities and to remain in touch with people.
Younger generations have drifted toward either extremism or Westernization, Assad said, pointing to the important role of intellectuals in resisting attempts to blot out Arab identity and sense of belonging. He noted that thought is one of the elements of the Syrians’ steadfastness as the war being waged on Syria is an intellectual and media war.
For their part, the delegates said that events which have taken place in Arab states over recent years have attempted to create a new type of Arab citizen that disavows their identity.
The delegates stressed that the identity of Arabism cannot be preserved without Syria, which is why the targeting of Syria by foreign entities seeks to undermine its intellectual and pan-Arab role.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
