We can proudly assert that we, Syria’s Knights, were pioneers in championing public liberties and democratic action in Syria and the Arab World over 40 years ago. The promotion of democratic ideals undertaken by leader Rifaat Al-Assad was not restricted to the topics dealt with and articles published in Al-Fursan magazine and that were banned in the Syrian and Arab press at the time. The establishment of the foundations of democracy and the performance of democratic action in all the institutions that operated under his leadership were pioneering initiatives. Thus, deeds conformed to words and every idea suggested by the leader was put into practice, which made the friends of the Syrian regime and even those prejudiced against the leader, acknowledge the supremacy of his followers and testify to “their ingenuity and ability to think independently” at a time the Syrian regime prohibited free thinking to its followers!
When Al-Fursan magazine was launched in 1967 it raised the banner of democracy and human rights in the Arab World and attracted hundreds of contributors from among leading journalists, writers, thinkers, and intellectuals in Syria and across the Arab World.