Jabadeen: Muslim Syriacs and Their Struggle for Identity

JABADEEN, Syria — Nestled in the rugged mountains of Syria, a small village holds a unique place in history. Jabadeen is one of the few remaining villages where the Syriac language has been preserved among its Muslim inhabitants. The village’s name, architecture, and cultural heritage all attest to its deep-rooted Syriac origins, despite centuries of political and social pressures aimed at erasing or assimilating its distinct identity.

Historically, Jabadeen was part of a broader Syriac-speaking region where Aramaic, the ancestral language of the Syriacs, was widely spoken. Over time, due to conquests and religious shifts, many of its inhabitants converted to Islam. However, unlike other communities that fully integrated into the dominant Arab culture, the people of Jabadeen maintained their linguistic and cultural identity, continuing to speak Syriac at home and within their community.

Struggles Under the Baath Regime

SyriacPress made a special visit to Jabadeen to document the untold stories of its people. Three residents — Omar Ammoush, Khaled Hassoun, and Nizar Aubadah — shared their personal experiences of persecution, resilience, and cultural survival under the Baath regime.

Recalling the difficulties they faced, they described how the authoritarian regime of the Assad family systematically oppressed minority identities, including their own. They highlighted the impact of Arabization policies, which sought to erase non-Arab identities in favor of a singular nationalistic narrative. Syriac, despite being their mother tongue, was prohibited in public life, and the community was compelled to identify as Arabs.

“We are the Muslim Syriac people, and we will never deny our identity, no matter how hard the regime tried to impose its chauvinistic views on us,” Khaled Hassoun stated defiantly. “They pressured us to abandon our heritage and declare ourselves Arabs, but we refused.”

Taking Up Arms Against the Regime

The oppression in Jabadeen was not only cultural but also political. Some of its men, unable to endure the tyranny of the Baathist state, retreated to the surrounding mountains, using them as a base for resistance. From these rugged hideouts, they launched attacks against regime forces, fighting not only for their political freedom but also for their right to exist as a distinct Syriac people.

When the Syrian uprising gained momentum and the Assad regime’s grip weakened, the people of Jabadeen quickly organized their own defense. As soon as Bashar al-Assad’s control over the area was broken, they established the Jabadeen Military Council — an armed force tasked with protecting their village and the surrounding Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) communities, including El-Sarkha and Maaloula. These historic villages, renowned for their deep Christian and Syriac heritage, faced constant threats from both extremist groups and regime forces. The Jabadeen Military Council ensured their safety, forming alliances with local defense groups to preserve their shared heritage from destruction.

Revival of Syriac Identity and Demand for Linguistic Rights

Despite generations of forced assimilation, the people of Jabadeen remain deeply connected to their Syriac roots. While they fluently speak Syriac as their mother tongue, many regret that they were never taught to write in the Syriac alphabet. Under the Baathist education system, Syriac was entirely absent from schools, exacerbating a sense of cultural loss.

Now, with a renewed vision for Syria’s future, they are determined to restore their linguistic heritage. They are advocating for the Syriac language to be recognized as one of the national languages in a future Syrian constitution and for it to be taught in schools and universities across the country.

Omar Ammoush articulated this vision: “We insist that Syriac be officially recognized. It is our heritage, our identity, and our right. If Syria is to be truly democratic and inclusive, it must embrace all its indigenous cultures, not erase them.”

Village Frozen in Time

Walking through Jabadeen, one can still see the unmistakable traces of its Syriac origins. Ancient inscriptions, architectural remnants, and cultural symbols tell the story of a village that has endured centuries of change yet steadfastly retains its essence. The very stones of Jabadeen echo a language older than most of the civilizations that sought to erase it — a language of resilience, survival, and profound cultural pride.

The people of Jabadeen now stand at a crossroads. Their history is one of struggle and perseverance, but their future is filled with hope. They are determined to reclaim their rightful place in Syria’s diverse mosaic, ensuring that the Syriac language and identity thrive — not just as memories of the past but as integral parts of everyday life.

SyriacPress will continue to follow their journey as they fight for recognition, protection, and the preservation of their unique heritage.

You can find this article in Arabic here.