Co-Chair of Syriac Union Party in Syria Sanharib Barsom: Syrian Culture Minister’s statement erases Syriac identity

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — In a recent interview with Rudaw, Co-Chair of the Syriac Union Party (SUP) Sanharib Barsom strongly condemned remarks made by Syrian Transitional Government (STG) Culture Minister Mohammad Saleh who described the Syriac language as an ancient Arabic dialect. Saleh’s comments have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from the Syriac-speaking community and beyond.

Barsom criticized Saleh’s remarks, asserting that they reflect a continuation of policies from the former Baath regime, which labeled Syriacs (Arameans–Assyrians–Chaldeans) people as “Christian Arabs” in an effort to erase a vital component of Syria’s ancient heritage. He emphasized that these statements contradict Syria’s transitional constitution, which purportedly supports the preservation of cultural diversity.

“The Syrian Transitional Government’s stance mirrors the Baath regime’s approach, ignoring the rich history of the Syriac people and their significant contributions to Syrian civilization,” Barsom stated.

He also highlighted flaws in the transitional constitution, particularly its vague article on safeguarding cultural diversity, which he argued has been directly undermined by the minister’s comments. Barsom warned that such actions leave minority groups feeling increasingly vulnerable and marginalized.

Calling for meaningful reform, Barsom urged Syrian authorities to explicitly recognize all ethnic and religious communities and guarantee their rights through clear and enforceable constitutional provisions. “Ambiguities in the constitution must be addressed to ensure genuine representation and protection for all components of Syrian society,” he added.

Barsom’s comments echo a broader sentiment within Syria’s diverse communities, advocating for a more inclusive and pluralistic framework that respects the country’s cultural and historical richness.