Hikmat al-Hijri

Sheikh
Hikmat al-Hijri
حكمت الهجري
Al-Hijri in 2024
Head of the Supreme Legal Committee in Suwayda
Incumbent
Assumed office
25 July 2025
Preceded byOffice established
Leader of the National Guard[a]
Incumbent
Assumed office
23 August 2025
Preceded byOffice established
Spiritual leader of the Syrian Druze Community
Incumbent
Assumed office
2012[b]
Preceded byAhmed al-Hijri
Personal life
Born (1965-06-09) 9 June 1965 (age 60)
Venezuela[5]
NationalitySyrian
OccupationSpiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria
Religious life
ReligionDruze

Hikmat Salman al-Hijri[c] (born 9 June 1965) is a Syrian spiritual leader who is one of three sheikhs of the Druze community in Syria and a prominent religious and social figure in Suwayda Governorate. He is an opposition figure to the Syrian transitional government.[6]

Early life

Al-Hijri was born on 9 June 1965 in Venezuela, where his father was working at the time. After the family's return to Syria, he completed his primary and secondary education there. In 1985, he studied law at Damascus University, from which he graduated in 1990.[7]

Spiritual leadership

In 2012, al-Hijri succeeded his brother Ahmed as the spiritual leader of the Druze community after the latter's suspicious death in a car accident.[8] The position has been hereditary within the family since the 19th century.[7][9] His tenure saw a split within the Druze religious leadership, with one faction under his leadership based in the town of Qanawat and another led by sheikhs Hammoud al-Hinnawi and Youssef Jarbou based at the Ain al-Zaman shrine in Suwayda city.[7][8]

Initially, al-Hijri was known for his support of Bashar al-Assad, which led to a decline in his popularity within the Druze community. With the onset of the Syrian revolution, he faced pressure to take a clear stance against the regime, especially after security forces killed protesters. On 25 January 2021, he was insulted by regional Military Intelligence head Louay al-Ali during a phone call regarding a detained citizen from As-Suwayda. The incident sparked widespread outrage and protests in the region.[7]

At a secret meeting with a Russian military delegation in April of the same year, al-Hijri rejected Assad's continuation in power,[8] in order to prevent a slide toward partition, to ensure the return of displaced people, and to initiate reconstruction of the country.[10]

Following the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024, al-Hijri called for a comprehensive national dialogue under international supervision to establish a transitional government representing all segments of Syrian society.[11] In a televised interview aired in January 2025, al-Hijri stressed that it was "far too early" to talk about disarming, considering the matter "completely unacceptable until a state is formed and a constitution is written to guarantee rights".[12]

2025 VOA report about fears among Syrian minorities, with interview of al-Hijri

On 17 February 2025, al-Hijri issued a statement emphasizing the unity of Syria as a land and people, rejecting separatism and the reintegration of corrupt officials into state institutions. He called for a technocratic civilian administration free from ethnic, religious, or political affiliations and warned against losing the national direction following the fall of the regime.[13]

Al-Hijri expressed mixed views on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. In a recorded statement in March 2025, he denied any political alignment with the Damascus government, saying that it was extremist and was wanted by international justice.[14] He accused the authorities of attempting to sow discord in As-Suwayda by appointing unpopular figures to represent the governorate.[14] He also refused to recognize the new constitutional declaration, calling it "illogical".[15]

In July 2025, amid clashes between Druze and Bedouins, al-Hijri issued a statement warning government forces to not intervene in Suwayda.[16] After government forces were deployed, he called on Druze fighters to "resist this brutal campaign by all available means."[17] He later called on United States President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Jordan's King Abdullah II to "save Suwayda".[18] On 16 July, the Syrian government announced a ceasefire, which was agreed to by the Druze Religious Authority, headed by other sheikhs Hammoud al-Hinnawi and Youssef Jarbou.[19] Al-Hijri rejected the agreement however, saying that it was proclaimed by "armed gangs falsely calling themselves a government".[20] Following the government's withdrawal, at least 50 Bedouin civilians were massacred by al-Hijri-aligned Druze groups, according to multiple reports.[21][22][23] Al-Hijri refused the entry of a government delegation with aid into Suwayda on 20 July.[24]

On 8 August 2025, speaking via video message at the "Unity of Position of the Components of North and East Syria" conference in al-Hasakah, al-Hijri endorsed a decentralized, pluralistic Syria, stressing solidarity between Druze, Alawites, Kurds, and others. He described diversity as a source of strength rather than division.[25] Later that month, on 23 August, a number of armed groups in Suwayda issued statements declaring their merger under the umbrella of a "National Guard". According to their founding declaration, the move was intended to create "an organized and solid force entrusted with protecting the mountain and its people". The groups emphasized their "absolute commitment to the decisions of the spiritual leadership represented by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri", describing him as the legitimate representative of the Druze community in the mountain, referring to Jabal al-Druze.[26][27]

Notes

  1. ^ As Spiritual leader of the Syrian Druze Community.[1][2][3]
  2. ^ Spiritual leadership of the Druze in Syria is split into two since the 2010s, one is headed by Hikmat al-Hijri, the other is mutually headed by Hammoud al-Hinnawi and Youssef Jarbou.[4]
  3. ^ Arabic: حكمت سلمان الهجري

References

  1. ^ "What Is the "National Guard" Formed by Sheikh al-Hijri in Suwayda, Southern Syria?". Enab Baladi. 24 August 2025.
  2. ^ "In Suwayda, the Druze "National Guard" Incorporates Men of Dignity as Sheikh al-Hijri Calls for Separation from Syria". Enab Baladi. 25 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Clashes erupt between Druze and Syrian government forces in Suwayda". euronews. 14 November 2025.
  4. ^ "حكمت الهجري أحد زعماء الدروز في السويداء" [Hikmat al-Hijri: One of the Druze Leaders in Suwayda]. Al Jazeera Arabic (in Arabic). 16 March 2025. Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  5. ^ "Who is the Controversial Druze Leader, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri". Levant24. 5 May 2025. Archived from the original on 10 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  6. ^ "Druze-Bedouin clashes reignite after government forces pull out of southern Syria". PBS NewsHour. 18 July 2025. Archived from the original on 20 July 2025. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d "حكمت الهجري أحد زعماء الدروز في السويداء" [Hikmat al-Hijri: One of the Druze Leaders in As-Suwayda]. Al Jazeera (in Arabic). 16 March 2025. Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  8. ^ a b c Walid Al Nofal (11 April 2025). "Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri's journey: From obedience to opposition?". Syria Direct. Translated by Mateo Nelson. Archived from the original on 3 May 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  9. ^ "From Spiritual Guide to Political Actor: Who Is Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri?". The Syrian Observer. 15 July 2025. Archived from the original on 18 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  10. ^ "زعيم "الموحدين الدروز" في سوريا يرفض بقاء بشار الأسد في السلطة" [Leader of the Druze in Syria rejects Bashar al-Assad remaining in power]. Horrya (in Arabic). 13 April 2021. Archived from the original on 10 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  11. ^ "الشيخ الهجري لـDW: تجمعنا الهوية السورية والدستور المدني" [Sheikh al-Hijri to DW: We Are United by Syrian Identity and the Civil Constitution]. DW News (in Arabic). 7 January 2025. Archived from the original on 17 January 2025. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  12. ^ "الشيخ الهجري: من المبكّر جدا الحديث عن تسليم السلاح في سوريا" [Sheikh al-Hijri: It is too early to talk about surrendering weapons in Syria]. Sky News Arabia (in Arabic). 1 January 2025. Archived from the original on 2 January 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  13. ^ "الهجري في إجابة عن الأسئلة العالقة: لا انفصال ولا تدوير للفاسدين" [Al-Hijri in Response to Unanswered Questions: No Separation and No Recycling of the Corrupt]. The New Arab (in Arabic). 17 February 2025. Archived from the original on 18 February 2025. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  14. ^ a b "الهجري: لا وفاق ولا توافق مع السلطات في دمشق" [Al-Hijri: No Accord and No Agreement with the Authorities in Damascus]. Sky News Arabia (in Arabic). 13 March 2025. Archived from the original on 13 March 2025. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  15. ^ "حكمت الهجري يعتبر الإعلان الدستوري في سوريا "غير منطقي"" [Hikmat al-Hijri Considers the Constitutional Declaration in Syria "Illogical"]. Syria TV (in Arabic). 15 March 2025. Archived from the original on 15 March 2025. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  16. ^ "الجيش الإسرائيلي يستهدف رتلا سوريا في السويداء والهجري يكرر مطالبه بـ"الحماية الدولية"" [Israeli army targets Syrian convoy in Suwayda as al-Hijri renews calls for "international protection"]. Monte Carlo Doualiya (in Arabic). 14 July 2025. Archived from the original on 14 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  17. ^ "Israel bombs Syrian forces entering Druze city after sectarian clashes". BBC News. 15 July 2025. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  18. ^ "عدوان إسرائيلي على دمشق... والهجري يناشد ترامب ونتنياهو «إنقاذ» السويداء" [Israeli aggression on Damascus... Al-Hijri appeals to Trump and Netanyahu to "save" Suwayda]. Al Akhbar (in Arabic). 16 July 2025. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  19. ^ "اتفاق في السويداء على الاندماج الكامل ضمن الدولة ووقف إطلاق النار" [Agreement in Suwayda on Full Integration within the State and Ceasefire]. Syria TV (in Arabic). 16 July 2025. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  20. ^ "حكمت الهجري يؤكد استمرار القتال وينفي وجود اتفاق مع الحكومة" [Hikmat al-Hijri affirms continuation of fighting and denies agreement with government]. Syria TV (in Arabic). 16 July 2025. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  21. ^ "Syrian Bedouins 'massacred' by Druze anti-government militias, says state media". Middle East Eye. 17 July 2025. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Syrian Bedouin flee Druze-majority province of Suweida after truce, amid reports of reprisal killings". The New Arab. 17 July 2025. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  23. ^ "مجزرة ونزوح جماعي للبدو من ريف السويداء بعد انسحاب قوات الجيش" [Massacre and mass displacement of Bedouins from rural Suwayda after army withdrawal]. Al Jazeera Arabic (in Arabic). 17 July 2025. Archived from the original on 18 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  24. ^ "وزير الصحة: الشيخ الهجري رفض دخول وفد حكومي برفقة القافلة الإنسانية إلى السويداء" [Minister of Health: Sheikh al-Hijri refused entry of government delegation accompanying the humanitarian convoy into Suwayda]. Syria TV (in Arabic). 20 July 2025. Archived from the original on 20 July 2025. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  25. ^ "Druze and Alawite Leaders Endorse Decentralized Syria, Sparking Fierce Rebuke from Damascus". Kurdistan24. 9 August 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  26. ^ "مرجعيته الهجري.. مقاتلو السويداء يعلنون تشكيل "الحرس الوطني"" [Under the authority of al-Hijri… Suwayda fighters announce formation of the "National Guard"]. Sky News Arabia (in Arabic). 23 August 2025. Archived from the original on 24 August 2025. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  27. ^ "الإعلان عن توحيد فصائل السويداء تحت اسم "الحرس الوطني"" [Announcement of the unification of Suwayda factions under the name of the "National Guard"]. North Press Agency (in Arabic). 23 August 2025. Archived from the original on 23 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikmat_al-Hijri