05/25/2025
Report on the Position of His Eminence Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri Regarding the Events in Syria from the Dignity Square Until Today
Introduction
Since the outbreak of the popular movement in As-Suwayda Governorate in 2023, the voice of truth has been clear in the positions of His Eminence Sheikh Hikmat Salman al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze Muslim community. With consistency and awareness, he has expressed a principled national stance rejecting oppression and tyranny, and calling for the establishment of a democratic civil state for all Syrians.
1. Position on the Regime and Tyranny
From the early days of the Dignity Square movement, Sheikh al-Hijri stood with the people’s voice in their demands for freedom and dignity. His stance was clear in rejecting the oppression carried out by the Syrian regime against all Syrians, regardless of sect or region. He supported peaceful protests, backed demands for reform and change, and rejected the militarization of the revolution and the descent into civil strife.
He firmly supported the decision made by the youth of As-Suwayda in 2014 to refrain from joining the ranks of the regime’s army, to avoid being tools in killing their fellow citizens.
2. Position on Disarmament
With the arrival of the new transitional government, the people of As-Suwayda, under Sheikh al-Hijri’s guidance, demanded clear conditions for disarmament. This reaffirmed that arms were never directed against fellow Syrians, but used solely for the defense of land and honor in the absence of official protection.
The announced conditions for disarmament aimed at serving all Syrians and included:
1. Forming a transitional civil government representing all components of Syrian society.
2. Establishing a new constitution through a nationally elected committee representing all provinces.
3. Securing international guarantees against human rights violations, and protecting all citizens from extrajudicial killings or arbitrary arrests.
4. Disbanding unofficial armed factions and expelling all foreign fighters from the country.
5. Achieving transitional justice and holding those responsible for crimes against civilians accountable.
6. Implementing administrative decentralization and granting broader powers to provinces.
3. Responding to Defamation Campaigns
What some deceptive media outlets refer to as “al-Hijri militias” are in fact the sons of As-Suwayda, who took upon themselves the responsibility to protect their region in the absence of any real role by the state to ensure security and stability.
It is important to affirm:
• Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri is a rational and patriotic religious leader who seeks no political power and does not represent any separatist agenda.
• The people of As-Suwayda are not in conflict with the state but are engaged in legitimate self-defense against recurring attacks, whether through shelling or media campaigns aimed at discrediting them.
4. Loss of Trust in the Government
After what happened to members of the Alawite community who handed over their weapons and were later subjected to abuse and arrest, it became logical for the people of As-Suwayda to refuse disarmament without clear guarantees, as they realized that the government would not offer them protection and feared a repeated scenario.
5. The Sheikh’s Right to Represent the Community and the Region
As the spiritual leader of the Druze Muslim community and a voice respected by its members across Syria and the diaspora, Sheikh al-Hijri has the moral and legitimate right to:
• Speak on behalf of As-Suwayda Governorate.
• Present his vision for saving the country.
• Reject illegitimate impositions from unrepresentative forces.
6. His Political Discourse in the Transitional Phase
In a recent statement issued by the spiritual leadership, Sheikh al-Hijri said:
“Imposing one-color policies, marginalizing experts, and allowing outsiders to dominate state institutions is a repetition of the previous tyranny, and it is unacceptable under any circumstance.”
He also emphasized:
• What happened in Homs and the coastal regions by rogue elements are crimes against humanity.
• The factions responsible for these crimes represent their backers and must be held accountable.
• The new constitutional declaration represents a disguised authoritarian rule and must be rejected.
• The solution lies in a consensual democratic constitution, drafted by committees from all provinces, reflecting Syrian diversity and ensuring true participation and separation of powers.
• No clause of any constitution will be implemented unless it aligns with the will and rights of the people.
7. International Statements and View on Global Participation
In statements to Reuters, Sheikh al-Hijri said:
“The Druze Muslim community respects all opinions, but so far sees no real capacity to properly lead the country or form a functioning state.”
He added:
“We hope matters will be organized by the end of the transitional phase, and we demand international participation to ensure that discussions lead to a civil state based on separation of powers.”
These statements align with the European Union’s position, which expressed willingness to lift sanctions on Syria if an inclusive government is formed, political transition is achieved, perpetrators of crimes are held accountable, and minorities are protected.
Conclusion
The stance of His Eminence Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri expresses the pulse of the land and the voice of a people who have paid a heavy price in defense of national dignity. It is a position that rejects oppression from any source and calls for building a state of citizenship and justice, standing firmly against both old and new authoritarian projects.
We, the people of As-Suwayda, affirm our full support for Sheikh al-Hijri’s words and emphasize the unity of Syrian land, the indivisibility of human dignity, and that only the Syrian people have the right to determine their own future.
