The Al-Fayhaa Sports Hall in the capital Damascus was inaugurated on Monday, after a comprehensive rehabilitation process, and in the presence of a high-level official, to return once again as a sports facility prepared to host basketball tournaments and events.
The opening ceremony coincided with a celebratory match between the Syrian and Lebanese national teams, which ended in a Lebanese victory. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and several ministers, along with prominent sports and youth figures, were in attendance. The ceremony included an artistic performance prior to the match, featuring celebratory segments, among them a performance of the anthem "For the Sake of Glory." This sparked questions about its potential adoption as the national anthem, given the ongoing debates surrounding the identity of the national anthem during the transitional period.
Amid the discussions that accompanied the opening ceremony regarding the implications of choosing “For the Sake of Glory” as a national anthem at the present stage, Dr. Zakaria Malahfji, Professor of Contemporary Syrian History at Zaytouna Private University and Secretary-General of the Syrian National Movement, explained that the introduction of the anthem “For the Sake of Glory” by the poet Omar Abu Risha, which was adopted by the opposition forces throughout the years of the revolution, falls within the context of searching for a comprehensive national symbol, different from the symbolism of the former Assad regime.
The spokesman told Al-Quds Al-Arabi that the anthem “Guardians of the Homeland” is not linked to the Baath Party as is believed, but rather its adoption dates back to the period of Syria’s independence, where it was officially used since 1946, before its use was discontinued during the period of unity with Egypt, when the anthem of the United Arab Republic was adopted, and then “Guardians of the Homeland” returned again after the separation.
Less problematic options
In the speaker’s opinion, the national anthem in any country, especially in a transitional context, is supposed to be a neutral symbol that reflects the idea of a unified state, far removed from ideological discourses or its association with the memory of a particular period, and to be based on legal legitimacy and broad societal consensus.
He added that the idea of holding a competition to choose a new national anthem had been raised previously, but it sparked widespread controversy, as he argued that such a decision could not be made without a constitutional framework and parliamentary approval. He explained that retaining one of the two existing anthems, either "For the Sake of Glory" adopted by the opposition or "Defenders of the Homeland" used since independence, is a less divisive option compared to introducing a new anthem that could lead to social and political rifts. He noted that "For the Sake of Glory" appears likely to remain in use temporarily until a specialized committee is formed within parliament and a permanent constitution is approved and put to a public referendum.
Mallahfji: The national anthem of any country, especially in a transitional context, is supposed to be a neutral symbol that reflects the idea of a unified state.
The speaker reviewed the history of anthems in pre-Ba'athist Syria, explaining that in 1920, during the reign of King Faisal I, the "Syrian Royal Anthem" was used, reflecting the traditional royal character of the nascent state. With the onset of the French Mandate, there was no fixed, sovereign national anthem; instead, popular patriotic songs emerged, reflecting the spirit of resistance, until the anthem "Guardians of the Homeland, Peace Be Upon You" was later adopted. After independence in 1946, this anthem was officially adopted. With lyrics by Khalil Mardam Bey and music by Muhammad Flayfel, it was distinguished by its inclusive nationalistic tone, glorifying the homeland and the army without sharp ideological bias, which allowed it to endure in the Syrian consciousness.
He continued that during the period of unity with Egypt between 1958 and 1961, the anthem was replaced by the anthem of the United Arab Republic under the leadership of Gamal Abdel Nasser, an anthem of an Arab nationalist character reflecting the unity project, before “Guardians of the Homeland” returned after the separation in 1961 as the closest expression of the independent Syrian national identity.
Malahfji concluded that anthems in Syria were an expression of the political stage, noting that “Guardians of the Homeland” remained the most established for long periods due to its relative success in achieving the equation of a comprehensive national symbol, while “For the Sake of Glory,” which was adopted by the opposition, seems likely to continue in the current stage until a People’s Assembly is formed and a permanent constitution is approved, at which point it will either be officially established or changed, an option he sees as less problematic than introducing a new anthem in a sensitive transitional stage.
Invoking a new phase
Amid the ongoing debate surrounding the national anthem during the transitional phase, political analyst Darwish Khalifa discussed the implications of proposing the anthem “For the Sake of Glory” and the possibility of its adoption. As he explained to Al-Quds Al-Arabi, “For the Sake of Glory” was written during pivotal moments in Syria’s history, when mobilization rhetoric and slogans of an Arab and Islamic nature were prevalent, particularly during the resistance against the French occupation.
Khalifa: The anthem “For the Sake of Glory” was written during pivotal historical moments in Syria’s history.
He added that the adoption of this anthem was later proposed during the transitional phase as an alternative to the "Defenders of the Homeland" anthem, while simultaneously reflecting a desire to turn the page on the past and usher in a new era for the country. He noted that, technically, a competition was organized at the Ministry of Culture to compile lyrics to be set to music, with the aim of selecting a national anthem through a public vote. However, this initiative, judging by the reactions, did not receive widespread acceptance and provoked discontent among some cultural and political elites due to their dissatisfaction with the quality of the submitted lyrics. He pointed out that these developments are occurring in the context of the post-revolutionary period in Syria, which lasted nearly fourteen years until the fall of the previous regime, making the issue of the national anthem part of the reshaping of the country's political and cultural identity.
Strengths
The inclusion of contestants from outside Syria also sparked public criticism, with many arguing that this stage should be a purely Syrian expression, given the presence of cultural elites, poets, and writers capable of producing a text that reflects the new era. Khalifa explained that, consequently, the anthem will likely be put to a vote in the parliament scheduled to convene early next month, or its approval will be postponed until a permanent constitution is adopted, to be subsequently ratified through a public referendum. He concluded by noting that one of the strengths of the anthem "For the Sake of Glory," from the perspective of its supporters, lies in its lack of association with the Ba'ath Party era, which may grant it broader acceptance and make its retention a viable option in the long term.
Controversial Anthem
For his part, Michel Hanna Al-Hawwat commented on Facebook that the anthem “For the Sake of Glory” is a controversial anthem that does not represent all Syrians, stressing the need to adopt a new national anthem that expresses the Syrian identity in a comprehensive form, free from any references to Arabism, religion or sect.
He explained that the lyrics of the current national anthem, upon closer examination, reveal a conflation of Arab and religious dimensions, which may not reflect the diversity of Syrian society. He emphasized that Syrian writers are capable of crafting a truly inclusive national anthem that addresses all Syrians without discrimination or favoritism, placing the Syrian homeland as a unifying value above all other considerations. Al-Hawwat continued, noting that Syria's identity is based on a rich and deeply rooted cultural and civilizational blend, encompassing diverse components such as Arabs, Syriacs, Kurds, Armenians, and others. He considered this diversity to be the source of the richness of Syrian identity and a fundamental pillar in shaping its civilization
