Syrian History Documents

A communique from the Ministry of Interior, dated 1947, for Syria's first post-Mandate census
The census, which was carried out in March 1947, aimed to map out Syria's population, divided down by sex, region, religion, and ethnicity. The communique asks for maximal cooperation from citizens, saying that a curfew will be imposed, and all work will come to a halt on the day of the census, and Syria's borders will close. Document from the archives of Jamil Murad

A certificate of good manners and conducted, granted to retired army officer Kasem Khalil by the Syrian Army in 1947
Such a certificate was, and still is, required for government employment in Syria. Document from the archives of Jamil Murad

A car insurance certificate issued for the automobile of Finance Minister Mohammad Said al-Zaim in 1947
The insurance card was issued by the Jerusalem-based Arabia Insurance Company. Zaim's automobile was a DeSoto, a US brand that was anufactured and marketed by Chrysler from 1928 to 1961. It was very popular in Syria and according to the insurance card, it cost 15,000 SP in August 1949. The document is from the archives of Jamil Murad

A thank-you letter from the doctors of Aleppo to President Adib al-Shisahkli, thanking him for medical reforms in the Syrian Constitution
From the archives of Jamil Murad

A membership application for the National Bloc, Syria's leading anti-French movement during the years 1928-1946
The National Bloc was founded by President Hashem al-Atasi to liberate Syria from the French Mandate. It ruled Syria through democratic elections in 1936-1939, and then again under President Shukri al-Quwatli in 1943-1946. Document from the archive of Jamil Murad

Syria's first political satire newspaper, established by Fakhri al-Barudi in 1919
The newspaper, which only came out with four editions, was published in slang Damascene accent, rather than classical Arabic. Barudi, then a young man in his 20s, used to write in it under a pen name, so as not to upset his conservative father.

A questionnaire distributed to Syrian voters ahead of the election that brought General Husni al-Zaim to power with 98% of the votes in June 1949
This was the first direct election in Syrian history, although Zaim ran unchallenged. Previous elections were conducted within Parliament. This plebscite was repeated by Presidents Adib al-Shishakli, Gamal Abdul Nasser, and Hafez al-Assad.

The First Syrian Republican Constitution of 1928 - Page 2
The First Syrian Republican Constitution of 1928 - Page 2

The First Syrian Republican Constitution of 1928 - Page 3
The First Syrian Republican Constitution of 1928 - Page 3

The First Syrian Republican Constitution of 1928 - Page 4
The First Syrian Republican Constitution of 1928 - Page 4

The First Syrian Republican Constitution of 1928 - Page 5
The First Syrian Republican Constitution of 1928 - Page 5

The First Syrian Republican Constitution of 1928 - Page 6
The First Syrian Republican Constitution of 1928 - Page 6

The First Syrian Republican Constitution of 1928 - Page 7
The First Syrian Republican Constitution of 1928 - Page 7