جامع الشيخ صالح العلي الصانع رحمه الله

Journey back to 1918. A hush falls over a gathering of Alawi notables in Sheikh Badr. Saleh al-Ali, a respected figure, rises. He speaks of the encroaching French forces, their occupation of the Syrian coast, and their plans to divide the country. He urges them to resist. This meeting, held within sight of what would later become the جامع الشيخ صالح العلي الصانع رحمه الله, ignited a spark of rebellion. The French, learning of al-Ali’s defiance, dispatched troops to arrest him. Al-Ali, however, anticipated their move. He ambushed the French forces at Niha, inflicting significant casualties. This victory near the future site of جامع الشيخ صالح العلي الصانع رحمه الله, marked the beginning of Saleh al-Ali’s rebellion against the French mandate. جامع الشيخ صالح العلي الصانع رحمه الله stands as a testament to this struggle. Saleh al-Ali, after his initial victory, began organizing his rebel forces into a disciplined army. He forged alliances with other uprisings against the French. His forces grew, supported by the local population who provided supplies and took over work in the fields. Saleh al-Ali’s rebellion gained momentum, further fueled by support from Kemal Atatürk of Turkey. The tide turned against al-Ali with the French capture of Damascus in 1920. Despite collaborating with Turkish forces, al-Ali was forced into hiding after a French campaign targeted his positions. He was sentenced to death in absentia. Years later, a general amnesty allowed him to return home. He remained out of the political spotlight until his death in 1950. Though the جامع الشيخ صالح العلي الصانع رحمه الله wasn’t built during his lifetime, its presence in Al-Suwaydi evokes the spirit of resistance he embodied. The mosque’s name, echoing Saleh al-Ali’s, serves as a constant reminder of his fight for Syrian unity against French rule. The mosque stands as a quiet tribute to his bravery and the struggle for Syrian independence.