Muslim Sheikh Hassan – Kobani
The success of any political system or public institution cannot be achieved without the genuine will of the people; for the people are the source of legitimacy and the pillar of stability. Political and historical experiences across various countries have proven that any project built away from the people’s desires and demands, or imposed upon them without their authentic participation, is inherently fragile and prone to failure, regardless of its perceived strength or support.
From this perspective, building national institutions—particularly legislative bodies that are supposed to represent the citizens’ will—requires firm democratic foundations based on transparency, free elections, and the true expression of society’s will. People’s assemblies and parliaments are not merely formal structures, but institutions designed to convey the people’s concerns, protect their rights, and express their desires and aspirations.
In this context, the method adopted by the transitional government in Damascus to select representatives for the Syrian People’s Assembly raises many questions, as it drifted far from democratic standards and globally recognized electoral mechanisms. Methods were employed that do not align with the spirit of modern democracy and do not grant citizens a real opportunity to choose their representatives freely and transparently—an issue that weakens trust in the political process as a whole.
Any process of popular representation loses its value when the will of the people is not taken into account, or when the electoral process transforms into a game far removed from genuine public participation. Democracy is not limited to constructing political institutions; it is, above all, the respect for the community’s will, involving them in decision-making, and granting them the right to choose their representatives with integrity and fairness.
Additionally, a no less serious problem emerges: the nomination of individuals who lack the required competence to shoulder the responsibility of representing the people and defending their causes. A parliamentary seat is not an honorary title or a political privilege, but a national and ethical responsibility that requires expertise, skills, and the ability to understand the social, political, and economic realities of society.
Furthermore, the nomination of individuals who have lived abroad for years and have not experienced the harsh conditions endured by the citizens raises legitimate questions about their ability to truly express the people’s suffering and needs. Those who did not share the people’s daily struggles and did not witness their crises and hardships will find it difficult to convey their voices sincerely or defend their rights as required.
Genuine representation is not achieved through titles or positions, but by being close to the people, understanding their concerns, living among them, and feeling their pain. Therefore, electing candidates who are detached from reality or who lack competence and experience is a grave political error that negatively impacts society’s trust in institutions and increases the state of frustration and loss of hope for real change.
Ultimately, any political project seeking to build a stable state and strong institutions must start from respecting the will of the people and relying on national competencies capable of representing the public with honesty and responsibility. People do not merely look for formal representatives, but for individuals who express their pain and defend their rights with sincerity and sacrifice. Without this, any political process remains incomplete, and institutions remain far from achieving their true purpose.
May 22, 2026
Note: This text is translated from the original Arabic version… Read the Arabic version: Click here
