Maarouf al-Dawalibi

Maarouf al-Dawalibi was a Syrian politician and scholar who served as the prime minister of Syria twice, in 1951 and 1961-1962. He was born in Aleppo to a prominent family of merchants and scholars. He studied law at the University of Damascus and the Sorbonne University in Paris, where he obtained his Ph.D. He became a professor of law and Islamic jurisprudence at the University of Damascus and wrote several books on these subjects. He was also a member of the People's Party and the Muslim Brotherhood, and advocated for the unity of Arab and Islamic nations. He held various ministerial positions, including economy, defense, and foreign affairs. He was elected as the speaker of the parliament in 1951, and became the prime minister for one day after a coup d'etat. He was also the prime minister of the secessionist Syrian Republic that emerged after the collapse of the United Arab Republic in 1961. He faced many challenges, such as the Kurdish uprising, the economic crisis, and the opposition from the Ba'ath party. He resigned in 1962 after failing to form a coalition government. He was arrested and imprisoned by the Ba'ath regime in 1963, and later exiled to Saudi Arabia, where he served as an adviser to several kings. He died in Riyadh in 2004 at the age of 95. He was known for his moderate and democratic views, his religious knowledge, and his eloquence. He was also a supporter of the Palestinian cause and the liberation of Jerusalem. His son, Nofal al-Dawalibi, is a prominent figure in the Syrian opposition.