Dr. Burhan Ghalioun
Dr. Burhan Ghalioun
Professor of Political Sociology
Burhan Ghalioun was born in Homs on May 13, 1945. He graduated from the University of Damascus, Department of Philosophy and Sociology, and then worked in teaching until he immigrated to France in 1969. He obtained a doctoral degree in social and human sciences from the Sorbonne University, where he was later appointed as a professor in sociology. He heads the Center for Contemporary Middle East Studies.
Ghalioun began his political activity in the late 1970s, advocating for democratic change in the Middle East and supporting the Palestinian cause. Dr. Burhan Ghalioun was known for his opposition to the Syrian regime. He was one of the signatories of the “Damascus Declaration” in 2005, advocating for true democracy and citizenship. He joined the Liberal Independents bloc in March 2011. Then, in August 2011, he took over the presidency of the Syrian National Council, with demonstrations across Syria recognizing the council’s representation. He resigned from the presidency of the Syrian National Council in May 2012. His tenure was controversial; some criticized his leadership as intellectual, not political, while others supported it, seeing it aligned with the national revolutionary discourse. He continued his cultural and intellectual work to this day.
Dr. Burhan Ghalioun has authored several books, the most famous of which, written about the events of the Syrian revolution, is “Self Malfunction”. He has more than ten academic books dealing with political, philosophical, and intellectual matters.
Dr. Burhan Ghalioun is considered one of the influential Syrian figures who advocate for the idea of citizenship and the implementation of democracy.
In acknowledgment and appreciation of the above, we present the Syrian Future Movement’s medal this week to Dr. Burhan Ghalioun, a symbolic Syrian medal that carries our vision and our inclusive national approach.
