Sulayman al-Murshid

Background

Salman al-Murshid was born in the village of Jawbat Burghal, in the Province of Lattakia.

Career

Early beginnings

Salman al-Murshid united three clans (Mahalibah, Darawesah and Amamerah) into one clan (Bani Ghassan). The Syrian government tried to charge him with treason and other civil charges, but they could not proof any of the charges. Hence, the Judge received a direct order from the president (Al Kowwatly) to convict Salman by any means ,and he was executed on 16 December 1946 in Marjeh Square in Damascus.

Unionist Movement

Later in 1939, the French were forced to do a referendum allowing people in the province to decide whether to join the mother land Syria or stay independent. al-Murshid also played a key role in forming the first Syrian army after independence. Followers

Murshidians were persecuted by the Syrian authorities until the President Hafez al-Assad came to power in 1970. Since then, AL-Murshidyah was practiced relatively freely like any other religion.

Murshidyya soldiers in Rifaat's Defense Companies (Saraaya al-Difa'a) had sided with the President in the confrontation.

Achievements

• Al-Murshid's popularity made it possible for the unionist movement to win the referendum/election.

Membership

In 1937 he became a member of Parliament and in 1943 he was elected again as a member of the central Syrian Parliament.