Where is the Unified Nation that

Antun Sa’adeh Envisioned?

Abdul-Aziz Cattan

Whoever delves deeply into the lives of any personality, whether ancient or modern, will find that many factors have sparked the ideas of these individuals, enabling them to excel in thought, literature, religion, and other fields. Often, circumstances shape a person’s thinking. The standard is the individual who seeks to benefit from these circumstances and harness them for personal development—without letting them cause frustration or limit abilities. Ultimately, the human mind has the power to elevate or diminish a person.

As I have grown accustomed to, I openly share the thoughts and feelings of both my heart and mind, without bias or favoritism, whether in praise or criticism. My sole purpose is to express a vision rooted in my personal experience. As a humanitarian researcher devoted to humanity, this is my primary concern and motivation in everything I write. For the researcher is not inherently born into their role. Instead, they evolve through extensive study, continual reading, and engaging in dialogue and discussions. I firmly believe that books are the best companions in this journey. However, for a researcher aiming to prove a point objectively and rationally, it's essential to set emotions aside and truly delve into the subject matter. Understanding a concept or a figure like Antun Sa’adeh requires living with their written work and immersing oneself in their character. Only then can we explore the depths and achieve a profound understanding.

Exploring the details of a thinker, scientist, educator, teacher, or writer allows us to unleash our imagination and understand the context in which they lived. This cannot be fully achieved through their writings alone. Instead, an in-depth study of their environment and the prevailing political situation is required. This involves considering the era in which they lived, their educators, their students, and whether their influence extended beyond the borders of one country. When we understand these details, which naturally require personal effort from the individual seeking to delve into this personality, their perspective will greatly differ from what they had previously read or thought they knew. Consequently, when the researcher develops their own view and style through careful observation and thought, they can engage in discussions with transparency and confidence. They can effectively articulate their point of view because they have diligently studied the character. This effort is not merely to showcase ability but to enhance knowledge that broadens horizons and deepens perceptions.

In the character of Antun Sa’adeh, there is much to discuss. Once we begin, it's hard to stop. He created a timeless philosophy for us, achieved through relentless effort and dedication to his dreams. When I read Antun Sa’adeh's works, I view them through the impartial eyes of Abd al-Aziz, beyond any partisan or sectarian biases. Instead, I delve into Sa’adeh’s thoughts and his humanity, rather than focusing on interpretations of his work. He has authored many books and delivered numerous lectures that provide valuable insights for any researcher looking to develop and personalize their own ideas. As mentioned earlier, if the circumstances of the character are not linked to his outcome, it is impossible to form a sound opinion. Such a character remains incomprehensible.

Let us return to Antun Sa’adeh’s father, the Lebanese thinker and physician Khalil Sa’adeh (1857-1934), who was wronged and whose contributions are largely unknown. Most people are only aware that he is Antun Sa’adeh’s father, but behind every great person, there is someone who stood in their shadow, supported them, and helped them succeed. Unfortunately, this intellectual was wronged by Lebanon and its thinkers. He authored a dictionary in 1911 that included more than a thousand words. But why was he excluded from the intellectual scene of that era? Simply because in every era, there are individuals who work to steer the focus towards their own interests. Thinker Khalil Sa’adeh had bold stances, such as his criticism of Lebanon’s independence following the declaration by General Gouraud and Patriarch Howayek of the Greater Lebanon's independence. At that time, he remarked on the country's independence, noting that most of the state employees were French. Moreover, despite the French leaving the country, their influence persists even today. As a result, Khalil Sa’adeh’s ideas cannot be included in the curricula. Publishing enlightening content that benefits everyone is prohibited.

Sa’adeh’s father was a staunch opponent of the French occupation's crimes against the Syrian revolution. One of his notable accomplishments was translating the Gospel of Barnabas in 1907. Naturally, such a father would profoundly influence his children, shaping Sa’adeh's early thoughts, which formed the foundation of his later work. Growing up in a highly educated environment inevitably impacted Sa’adeh's development, as evidenced by his achievements.

Antun Sa’adeh lived in several countries and studied the sciences diligently, encouraged by his father. He independently mastered Portuguese, German, and Russian. Eventually, his interests expanded to philosophy, history, sociology, and politics. He soon collaborated with his father in publishing al-Jarida newspaper and al-Majalla magazine. By the age of eighteen, his political awareness had crystallized, directing his efforts against French occupation and advocating for Syria's independence. Early on, too, he recognized the imminent threat posed by the Zionist movement to Greater Syria, linking the Balfour Declaration—aiming to establish a national homeland for Jews in Palestine—with the Sykes-Picot Agreement, which fragmented Greater Syria into five entities. His time as a teacher is well-known for fostering intellectual dialogue with both his students and the broader cultural community, a period that birthed many creative minds during Sa’adeh's era. This raises several questions, especially when we watch television documentaries that discuss the ideas of this leader in a narrative manner, presenting information readily available on search engines. To stand out, we must revive and renew his spirit by showcasing his contributions during his time and the advancements made by his followers. We need to effectively present this figure, whose historical impact remains unparalleled—a leader who dedicated himself to serving his nation and its unity, paying the ultimate price for these ideals.

As previously mentioned, Antun Sa’adeh began writing at an early age. In 1922, he penned several articles demanding Syria's independence and the withdrawal of French forces. He also highlighted the threat posed by the Zionist movement's project on Syria. In 1925, Sa’adeh attempted to form a political party in Brazil to unite members of the Syrian community. However, after this endeavor failed, he established the "Free Syrians Party," which lasted for three years. Subsequently, he joined the Syrian League in São Paulo and participated in several curriculum development committees for the Brazilian state. He wrote his first novel, “A Love Tragedy,” and returned to Lebanon in 1930. From there, he went to Damascus to help edit the newspaper al-Ayyam. Back in Beirut, he founded the “Syrian Social Nationalist Party” which operated in secret for three years before being discovered. He and his collaborators were arrested, and during his imprisonment, he wrote his first book, “The Rise of Nations,” which I believe is one of his most significant works, highlighting his creativity. After his release from prison, he was arrested for calling for a state of emergency in the country. During his imprisonment, he wrote his second book, “Explanation of Principles.” Once his detention ended, he faced arrest for a third time. Three months later, upon his release, he published the newspaper al-Nahda. However, it did not last a year before he decided to lead the party from abroad, specifically from Argentina, where he authored his third book, The Intellectual Conflict in Syrian Literature. Following the evacuation of French forces from Syria in 1946, he continued to be persecuted by President Bechara Al-Khoury's government. During the Palestine War in 1948, he initiated a comprehensive national challenge that sparked concern. Consequently, the authorities banned the public operation of his party. He then sought refuge in Damascus, where Hosni al-Zaim received him. Following an agreement, he was handed over to the Lebanese authorities, who tried and executed him on July 8, 1949, all in one day. This summarizes a significant set of events.

The era that Antun Sa’adeh lived through was defined by significant changes and influences, including militant and literary movements. It was marked by the decline of Ottoman rule and the introduction of new forms of colonialism, specifically French and British, which were unfamiliar to the Arabs at the time. Additionally, projects such as the Zionist movement and the Sykes-Picot Agreement played pivotal roles in driving young people to defend their homeland, achieve independence, and end colonial rule. Had we lived in that era, our perspectives might have been vastly different from what they are today. For every era has its unique character, along with its drawbacks and advantages. Although colonialism has ended, its effects linger, and Zionist occupation continues to claim Arab lands. The vision of Sa’adeh remains relevant and aims to be revived and modernized with contemporary tools, a critical element we currently lack. The nation has changed into one that chants slogans while being fanatically loyal to parties or sects or constricted political currents. But where is the unified nation that Antun Sa’adeh envisioned amidst all this?

The most important issue I want to raise is that after years of following and reading the works of ‘brilliant’ political and intellectual figures, I have yet to find anyone who has presented a clearly defined national project as Sa’adeh did. Sa’adeh demonstrated genuine leadership with a project for an integrated nation. If Sa’adeh were among us today, we would see a concerted effort to demonize him, shed his blood, or falsely associate him with extremist groups. But why?

It is simply because the downfall of Ottoman rule marked the beginning of an era where Western powers obstructed any efforts to unify and strengthen the nation of Antun Sa’adeh. Every movement, party, or organization that emerged with the intention of progress had to face direct opposition, often painted as collaborators with the colonizers responsible for the existing division. Today, the nation of Syria is under siege, both in its Islamic and Christian Eastern identity as well as its Arab identity. We have witnessed how enemies have turned into friends and how normalization has been forced upon us as an inevitable reality. Many leaders have fiercely resisted this trend, warning against the peril posed by the Zionist movement and its relentless pursuit of a so-called dream stretching from the Euphrates to the Nile—ironically, often with Arab complicity.