Syrian Intellectuals praise leader Ocalan’s vision for peace and democracy

Intellectuals in NE Syria emphasized that the democratic philosophy put forward by Leader Abdullah Ocalan serves as a source of inspiration for their pursuit of a more aware and peaceful society.

 In this context, Mohammed Taha Qassem, the member of the Intellectuals’ Union in Jazira Canton, stressed the pioneering and vital role of intellectuals in building and advancing societies.

He affirmed that intellectuals are a mirror of their society, reflecting its reality and contributing to shaping its future. He added, “An enlightened individual is entirely different from others, as stated in the Holy Quran: ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, *Are those who know equal to those who do not know?*’ Certainly not, for knowledge makes the difference.”

Qassem noted that Leader Abdullah Ocalan is among the most prominent intellectuals in his society, as he transformed prevailing concepts and introduced a new philosophy that contributed to shaping widespread public awareness. He stated that Ocalan’s books have become a reference for many and are studied in some universities, which is evidence of the depth and human reach of this philosophy.

He explained that Ocalan’s philosophy did not focus solely on societal culture but also encompassed political and general culture, with particular attention to women’s culture.

Qassem highlighted that leader Ocalan was the first to advocate for women’s rights in his society, contributing to empowering them to take on leadership and pioneering roles. He said, “Since 2013, women in northern and eastern Syria have taken their rightful place in society, becoming mothers, educators, fighters, and intellectuals. Today, we see many women carrying weapons to defend their cause, just as they carry pens to spread awareness and culture. This is one of the fruits of the Leader’s philosophy, which believes that societal liberation begins with the liberation of women.

On her part, Jalaa Hamzawi, a member of the General Council of the Future Syria Party and a civil activist, emphasized that the focus in this exceptional political phase has been on promoting civil peace and social cohesion, particularly in NE Syria. She pointed out that these regions, after being liberated from terrorism, are distinguished by the absence of hate speech and sectarianism, thanks to their adoption of leader’s philosophy.

She explained that the leader philosophy emphasizes the importance of peace and calls for a political resolution based on dialogue, whether among societal components or conflicting parties.

She noted that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s initiative to set aside and symbolically burn weapons to end the conflict was a step rooted in a sincere intention to achieve lasting peace. Hamzawi added that the emphasis on peace in leader Ocalan’s philosophy serves as the cornerstone for building a comprehensive democratic society across the Syrian geography, with northern and eastern Syria serving as a tangible model that can be replicated. 

Yasser Al-Ali Al-Hussein, a member of the Intellectuals’ Union in the city of Al-Tabqa, stated that the leader’s philosophy is distinguished by its profound human and intellectual depth.

He noted that, despite the strength and clarity of this philosophy, it did not receive sufficient protection and support in its time to be effectively adopted by his people and the region’s peoples in general.

 He added that if intellectuals today were provided with the minimum level of protection and care, they could play an effective role in society and amplify the voice of truth more clearly.

a.k

ANHA