Hammoud al-Hinnawi
Hammoud al-Hinnawi | |
|---|---|
حمود الحناوي | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | 1 December 1943 |
| Occupation | Spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Druze |
Hammoud al-Hanawi (Arabic: حمود الحناوي; born 1 December 1943) is one of the leading spiritual figures of the Druze community in Syria, holding the title of Sheikh al-‘Aql. He is regarded as a prominent religious authority among the Druze of As-Suwayda Governorate.
Early life and education
Al-Hinnawi was born in the village of Sahwet Blata in As-Suwayda Governorate, southern Syria on 1 December 1943. He grew up in a religious environment and was educated by notable Druze scholars in the region.[1] His grandfather, Sheikh and poet Qassam al-Hinnawi, was a well-known figure in the history of Jabal al-Druze.[2]
He studied at Dar al-Hikma Secondary School in As-Suwayda, graduating in 1963. He then worked as an Arabic language teacher for 14 years in Deir ez-Zor and later taught in the villages of al-Kafr and Sahwet Blata.[1]
He also pursued higher education in Arabic and graduated in 1975.[1]
Career
Al-Hinnawi later moved to the United Arab Emirates, where he worked as a teacher and journalist for newspapers such as Al-Bayan and Al-Khaleej. After being entrusted with the responsibilities of Sheikh al-‘Aql (religious leader) in Syria, he returned to assume the role, succeeding his father.[1]
Leadership and spiritual role
His appointment coincided with internal divisions among Druze religious authorities in As-Suwayda, leading to the emergence of two main clerical institutions: one led by Hikmat al-Hijri in the town of al-Qurayya, and another led jointly by al-Hinnawi and Youssef Jarbou in Ayn al-Zaman.[1][3]
Throughout the Syrian civil war, al-Hinnawi reportedly maintained a neutral stance, advocating for civil peace and calling for national dialogue.[1] He emphasized the importance of social cohesion and minority rights, and supported a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He was known to oppose sectarian fragmentation and warned of its dangers for Syria's future.[4]
During the protests in southern Syria around the end of the Syrian revolution, al-Hinnawi participated in protests held at the mausoleum of Sultan al-Atrash, a major Druze figure, affirming his commitment to values of freedom and dignity.[5]
In a recorded statement on 9 August 2025, al-Hinnawi expressed sharp criticism against the Syrian transitional government—the first such stance since the fall of the Assad regime. In the recorded statement, which was the first since the beginning of clashes in sourhern Syria in July, he condemned the authorities for betraying the nation and violating their commitments, describing the government as treacherous and oppressive toward innocent people. He called on international bodies and humanitarian organizations to urgently lift the siege on Suwayda, allow unrestricted humanitarian access, and investigate those responsible for brutal crimes against the Druze community. Al-Hinnawi stressed that the conflict has become a fight for survival, not just political maneuvering. He concluded by thanking the Druze spiritual leader in Israel, Muwaffaq Tarif, for his support.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f "حمود الحناوي أحد الزعماء الثلاثة للدروز في سوريا" [Hammoud al-Hinnawi, one of the three Druze leaders in Syria]. Al Jazeera Arabic (in Arabic). 25 March 2025. Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ "حمود الحناوي.. العقل الجمعي وحبه للتعليم جعلا الشعر وسيلته" [Hammoud al-Hinnawi.. Collective consciousness and love for education made poetry his medium]. eSyria (in Arabic). 8 July 2019. Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ "حكمت الهجري أحد زعماء الدروز في السويداء" [Hikmat al-Hijri: One of the Druze Leaders in As-Suwayda]. Al Jazeera Arabic (in Arabic). 16 March 2025. Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
- ^ ""شيخ العقل" حمود الحناوي: هويتنا سورية ويجب منح فرصة لبناء الدولة" ["Sheikh al-‘Aql" Hammoud al-Hinnawi: Our identity is Syrian and a chance must be given to build the state]. Anadolu Agency (in Arabic). 13 March 2025. Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ "شيخ عقل الدروز حمود الحناوي: حراك السويداء محق ونرفض تقسيم سوريا" [Sheikh al-‘Aql of the Druze, Hammoud al-Hinnawi: The Suwayda Movement is Just and We Reject the Division of Syria]. Independent Arabia (in Arabic). 6 April 2024. Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ "الحناوي ينتقد الحكومة السورية ويوجه الشكر لـ "موفق طريف"" [Al-Hinnawi criticizes the Syrian government and thanks "Muwaffaq Tarif"]. Syria TV (in Arabic). 9 August 2025. Archived from the original on 9 August 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.