Syriac e-School and Tadmrto Organization condemn statement of Syrian Minister of Culture

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — Controversial remarks by Syrian Transitional Government (STG) Minister of Culture Mohammed Saleh, dismissing the historical significance of the Syriac language, have sparked widespread backlash from organizations committed to preserving Syria’s cultural diversity.

The Syriac e-Learning School, an online platform dedicated to promoting Syriac heritage and language, and Tadmrto Organization, which advocates for the protection of Syria’s multiethnic and multilingual heritage, issued strong statements condemning Saleh’s comments.

They denounced the minister’s remarks as a “dangerous display of ignorance” regarding Syria’s historical and cultural identity, emphasizing that Syriac is one of the world’s oldest languages and an integral part of Syria’s civilizational legacy.

“These comments are not a mere slip of the tongue,” the organizations asserted. “They represent a serious stance that insults a fundamental aspect of Syrian identity and threatens social cohesion, especially in light of the STG’s continued silence on the issue.”

Both groups demanded Saleh’s resignation, holding the STG accountable for what they described as a “grave violation” of Syria’s cultural values. They also called on civil, cultural, and political entities to resist any efforts to marginalize the heritage of any Syrian community, stressing that cultural diversity is a national strength, not a liability.

The controversy has reignited debates about the role of the STG in safeguarding Syria’s pluralistic heritage and its responsibilities toward fostering inclusion in a post-conflict society.