Sheikh Arour: Media Phenomenon or Revolutionary Figure?

Ward al-Assi

The controversial television preacher, Sheikh Adnan Arour, 65, has been able to build up a large popular base in Syria using religious programs as a platform for launching vehement attacks against the Syrian regime. He also uses his pulpit for what many have characterized as sectarian incitement against Shia and Alawites.Sheikh Arour left his hometown of Hama in Syria in the early eighties following armed confrontations between the regime and the Muslim Brotherhood, eventually settling in Saudi Arabia. His rise to fame can be largely attributed to his presence on the Gulf-backed religious TV networks, particularly the Safa channel. Two years after the outbreak of the revolution, many are questioning whether Arour is just a media phenomenon, or a truly popular figure with credibility and a realistic political future in Syria.

Sima, a university student from the town of Qaboun just outside Damascus, was very critical of Arour, saying he is not representative of most Syrians and his sectarianism and divisiveness serves the interests of the regime more than those of the opposition.

“I think that the reason he is loved and has been adopted by the street is because since the beginning of the events he was coming out and cursing Bashar al-Assad openly, and standing against him in his own way,” she said. “At that time, the street needed a supporter and voice.”

But today, Sima does not think Arour is very influential among most Syrians.

“Whoever wants to join our revolution should leave the pulpit and come down to the street and contribute to helping, not inciting,” she added.

Huda, also a student, is of a different mind. She supports the Sheikh because, she said, he represents the true face of the Islamic movement, which is based on the true path of the Quran and the orthodox teachings of Islam.

“He dedicated himself to supporting the revolution and did not spare any advice or knowledge,” she explained. “He issued fatwas on issues that concerned the people and our blessed revolution on his program ‘With Syria Till Victory’.”

In November, Arour invited further controversy when he addressed the people of Deir El -Zor, calling on the clans of the city to “save their children” by inciting them to oppose the regime.

Arour’s criticism of the people of Deir El-Zor ignited a fierce debate among Syrians over the Sheikh’s apparent ignorance of the mobilization happening in the eastern part of the country. His comments came at a time when the city was largely destroyed and under siege by government troops.

Huda said she did not believe that Sheikh Arour had underestimated the revolutionary movement in the city.

“I understood the speech as a message to those who are still fighting in the ranks of the Syrian army demanding that they repent and join the ranks of the heroic [armed opposition],” she said.

Jaber, 38, from Qunaitra, said he supports the Sheikh because he has devoted his efforts, wealth and extensive knowledge to helping the revolution. Jaber is sure that Arour did not intend his comments as an insult, and echoed Huda’s interpretation that he meant to call on those still fighting with the Assad regime to defect.

“I hope people will not be so quick to accuse him of betrayal and give him a chance to clarify himself,” said Jaber. “I find him to be a venerable, wise man.”

The people of Deir El-Zor were, unsurprisingly, not so forgiving.

A letter posted to several Facebook pages belonging to opposition groups in the province of Deir El-Zor rejected Shiekh Arour’s accusations: “Our venerable Sheikh, we did not sacrifice our blood just to be able to say we did; we did it for God’s sake. But you [speak] prejudice against our province and its people, and you demand that the people of Deir El-Zor withdraw their sons from the Army as if this traitorous force is made up of people from Deir El-Zor? We will say it in our local dialect: We have been oppressed enough. Is it not enough that we are oppressed enough by Bashar, you want to oppress us as well?”

Since the rebels took Raqqa in early March, Arour has changed his tone towards the provinces of the east. He praised the city of Raqqa, and the clans of the eastern region in general, but did not clarify his stance towards Deir El-Zor.

The name Sheikh Adnan Arour has been associated with the revolution since its inception as one of the regime’s fiercest opponents, but whether this skilled orator emerges as a serious political player in the post-revolution period remains to be seen.