Olaf Taw Association for Syriac Language demands apology from Syrian Minister of Culture over remarks dismissing Syriac language as ‘dialect’ of Arabic

BETH ZALIN, North and East Syria — The Olaf Taw Association for the Syriac Language has called on Muhammed Saleh, the Minister of Culture in the Syrian Transitional Government (STG), to issue a formal and public apology following controversial remarks that dismissed the Syriac language as merely a dialect of Arabic.

In a statement released after a video of Saleh’s comments went viral, the Olaf Taw Association criticized the minister for spreading false and misleading information regarding the Syriac language. Olaf Taw urged Saleh to publicly retract his statements and correct the misinformation, while also calling on media outlets to ensure the accurate representation of Syria’s cultural and historical narratives.

The Association further called for the official recognition of Syriac as a national language and an essential component of Syria’s historical heritage. It advocated for the inclusion of Syriac in educational and cultural policies, stressing the importance of honoring Syria’s cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity. The statement warned against exclusionary rhetoric and the denial of long-established identities. Underscoring the value of preserving linguistic and cultural diversity, the foundation argued that such efforts are vital to building a democratic and pluralistic state rooted in mutual recognition and respect. Saleh’s remarks, it said, constituted a direct insult to the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people — one of the region’s oldest indigenous communities.

Olaf Taw clarified that Syriac is an independent Semitic language of the Aramaic branch, with a history stretching back thousands of years. It noted that Jesus Christ spoke Syriac nearly two millennia ago, and the language continues to be used in Church liturgies and by Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) communities across Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Iran, Turkey, and the global diaspora.

In further comments provided to SyriacPress, Michel Romy, the Foundation’s Director-General, refuted Saleh’s assertions, emphasizing that Syriac is a distinct and ancient Semitic language. “Syriac is not merely a dialect; it is an authentic language, part of the Aramaic branch, developed as an independent linguistic system,” Romy stated, adding that Syriac has served as a language of literature, science, and religion for centuries in the Levant. He described Syriac as a rich linguistic heritage that bridges civilizations and a tool for profound intellectual and cultural expression. Furthermore, the term Syria predates Arab and Western linguistic influences and has a reference to territories inhabited by ancient civilizations such as the Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Arameans, and Syriacs — peoples with deep historical roots in the region.

The Olaf Taw Association concluded its statement by emphasizing that Saleh’s remarks should not be dismissed as mere verbal missteps. Instead, they reflect a troubling pattern of marginalizing Syria’s cultural diversity and downplaying the role of indigenous communities — particularly the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people — in the nation’s historical narrative.