SOUTHFIELD — Syria’s ambassador to the U.S. Imad Mustapha spoke at the Silver Garden Theater on March 7 during a commemoration of the birthday of Antun Saadeh, founder of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.

Syria’s ambassador to the U.S. Imad Mustapha speaks at the Silver Garden Theater in Southfield on March 7 during a commemoration of the birthday of Antun Saadeh, founder of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.

Mustapha said at the Al-Nahda Cultural and Social Association event that, since Barack Obama has taken over as president, the U.S. has “changed its attitude toward Syria to one based on dialogue and respect.”
“[Former President George W.] Bush wanted to dictate to Syria,” he said.

He said he expects the U.S. will at some point appoint a new ambassador to Syria, in light of the new tone between the two countries, but said he did not have a sense of when or who would be appointed.

Washington recalled its ambassador to Damascus following the February 2005 assassination of Lebanon’s ex-premier Rafik Hariri. Damascus has denied any involvement in Hariri’s killing.

Two top U.S. envoys made the first high-profile visit to Syria in four years last week amid Washington’s declared intention to engage with all regional countries.

Al-Nahda Cultural and Social Association youth perform a traditional dance sequence on stage at the Silver Garden Theater in Southfield on March 7.  PHOTOS: Khalil AlHajal/TAAN

Mustapha said he was honored to speak at an event honoring Saadeh, even though, like much of the crowd there, he doesn’t subscribe to the platform of the party Saadeh founded.
“Even if you’re not one of his partisans, you still respect the great things he did for our region,” he said.

Sami Aboufawaz, who heads the Al-Nahda group, and Osama Siblani, representing the Congress of Arab American Organizations, also addressed the crowd of about 600.

Saadeh opposed the French and British division of the region in the 1930s and pushed for unity of a “Greater Syria,” which would have included what is now Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Cyprus, Palestine and other territories.

“Antoun Saadeh preached the dangers of sectarianism in our society and just by looking at what has happened in the past and what is still happening this very day… one can identify with him,” said Anthony Aboufawaz, of The New Generation, a youth extension of the Al-Nahda Cultural and Social Association. “That is why we try to learn from the teachings and philosophy of Antun Saadeh and implement the notion of unity amongst all people in their natural geographical settings.”

Aboufawaz said the group hopes to establish scholarship and financial aid programs as part of its platform.

“We aim to create leaders in our society… It is crucial that our youth understand the emphasis of the link between them and their homeland. We must become active as the Americans we are and practice our rights in the political arena to better the lives of our people abroad.”