Central to Sa´adeh 's doctrine is the concept
of national identity, which must not remain vague, ambiguous, or abstract, but
must be defined clearly, logically, and precisely. Sa´adeh firmly believed that
a nation's strength and prosperity lie in its ability to preserve its identity and
promote its unique cultural, historical, and linguistic heritage. For him, the
fundamental philosophical question that is the starting point of every
correct national endeavour is, "Who are we?"[1]
This question lies at the core of the national problem and holds the key to its
solution. After a thorough investigation, Sa´adeh unequivocally determined that we
are Syrians, and the Syrians constitute a complete nation. According to him,
Syria rightfully belongs to the Syrian people, who have been deprived of many
important resources due to the absence of nationalist consciousness. To
vindicate the principle of national sovereignty, Sa´adeh asserted that the
realization of Syrians' complete nationhood and an active consciousness of this
identity are two essential prerequisites.