Syria in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation: The Discourse of Sovereignty and the Memory of Shared Suffering
August 25, 2025114 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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In the meeting hall in Jeddah, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shabani stood to deliver a clear message to the Islamic world: the rejection of the legitimization of Israeli occupation and the affirmation that Syria, despite its wounds, has not been broken. His speech came at a critical moment, as the Islamic world gathers while Gaza is besieged and international law is violated daily.
Al-Shabani's speech was not just a routine condemnation, but evoked the memory of Syrian suffering that has lasted for 14 years. By saying, "The Syrian people have lived that and tasted it repeatedly," he implicitly linked the suffering of Syrians under war with the suffering of Palestinians under Israeli bombardment. This clever approach attempted to present Syria not only as a victim state but as a partner in the suffering of resistance.
The most striking details of the speech were the focus on Israel's violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement. By mentioning "intelligence centers and military points in the forbidden areas," al-Shabani hinted at a broader Israeli strategy to transform the Golan from occupied land into a permanent base for expansion. This particular point touches sensitive nerves in the Arab world, where many capitals fear the project of a "Greater Israel."
Al-Shabani's call for a "unified Arab and Islamic stance" was not just a slogan, but a smart diplomatic strategy. By positioning himself as a defender of the Palestinian cause, Damascus is trying to break its international isolation and reintroduce itself as a key player in Islamic forums. This move comes at a time when Arab-Syrian relations are witnessing a noticeable improvement after Syria's return to the Arab League.
Al-Shabani's speech was not just words, but a declaration of a new foreign policy through which Syria seeks to:
Redefine itself from a stricken state to an active partner
Unify the Islamic world around the Palestinian cause as a bridge for Arab return
Transform the Golan file from an isolated issue to part of the regional conflict
So, will the Islamic world be ready to embrace Syria, and will Damascus be able to shift from the discourse of the victim to the language of a regional actor? The answer may determine not only the future of Syria but also the power balances in the region for years to come.
Al-Shabani's speech was not just a routine condemnation, but evoked the memory of Syrian suffering that has lasted for 14 years. By saying, "The Syrian people have lived that and tasted it repeatedly," he implicitly linked the suffering of Syrians under war with the suffering of Palestinians under Israeli bombardment. This clever approach attempted to present Syria not only as a victim state but as a partner in the suffering of resistance.
The most striking details of the speech were the focus on Israel's violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement. By mentioning "intelligence centers and military points in the forbidden areas," al-Shabani hinted at a broader Israeli strategy to transform the Golan from occupied land into a permanent base for expansion. This particular point touches sensitive nerves in the Arab world, where many capitals fear the project of a "Greater Israel."
Al-Shabani's call for a "unified Arab and Islamic stance" was not just a slogan, but a smart diplomatic strategy. By positioning himself as a defender of the Palestinian cause, Damascus is trying to break its international isolation and reintroduce itself as a key player in Islamic forums. This move comes at a time when Arab-Syrian relations are witnessing a noticeable improvement after Syria's return to the Arab League.
Al-Shabani's speech was not just words, but a declaration of a new foreign policy through which Syria seeks to:
Redefine itself from a stricken state to an active partner
Unify the Islamic world around the Palestinian cause as a bridge for Arab return
Transform the Golan file from an isolated issue to part of the regional conflict
So, will the Islamic world be ready to embrace Syria, and will Damascus be able to shift from the discourse of the victim to the language of a regional actor? The answer may determine not only the future of Syria but also the power balances in the region for years to come.
