Lattakia – SANA- President of the Turkish Başakşehir University, Dr. Emad Eddin al-Rasheed, emphasized that Syria is an integral part of a nation with functional characteristics, and its human component is considered a knowledge and cultural treasure that must be placed in its proper context.
Dr. al-Rasheed explained in a lecture delivered Monday at the University of Lattakia, titled “Syrian Identity in a Diverse Society,” that the human element in Syria has crafted this knowledge and cultural treasure, highlighting the urgent need for solidarity among everyone for Syria.
He noted that identity has a specific and general meaning encompassing beliefs, traditions, customs, values, norms, and principles, as well as an ideological and social dimension. He considered that identity is not made by governments, but rather a historical creation by ancestors, deeply rooted in societies and nations.
In his lecture, Dr. al-Rasheed focused on the knowledge and existential aspect of identity, which is shaped by a significant idea, the dominant and controlling philosophy, accumulated through generations of knowledge, concepts, and methodologies, drawing its strength from knowledge. Therefore, a nation of citizenship converges in the aspects of living within the geographical area and intersects in its historical dimension.
He noted that the historical Syrian identity is deeply rooted, with the Arabic language being one of its most important components, having a cultural dimension along with a tolerant religion and popular culture, forming a significant pillar of Syrian identity as it reflects the diversity of society in terms of religions and ethnicities.
He stressed the necessity of drafting a constitution that represents the entire Syrian people in all their components.
Ruaa al-Jazaeri
