Antun Sa΄adeh's birthday, on March 1, is celebrated by thousands of Syrian Social Nationalists and their supporters in Syria and overseas. It is a yearly event, rejoiced by all age groups and glorified as a momentous National Day. The Celebrated Man, Antun Sa΄adeh, is the focus of the occasion. He is remembered and venerated for his ideas and accomplishments as well as for his conviction and dedication. This is not to say that he is worshiped by his followers. This is not a traditional worship practiced like a personality cult, which is so prevalent in the Near East where certain leaders are seen by their followers as "extraordinary" people and worshipped like Saints, Prophets or Messengers from God. Rather, it is a festivity with deep meanings signifying a new approach in life and a collective will.
The 1st of March is celebrated not simply in recognition of Antun Sa΄adeh the individual, but rather as a tribute to Sa΄adeh the thinker, social philosopher and national leader, who articulated a genuine philosophy consisting of moral teachings for the entire nation. This man formulated the philosophy of Syrian Social Nationalism, which reflected the national identity of the Syrian people and its reality, genuine character and ideals. His philosophy, known as al-Madrahhiyyah, succeeded in bringing together individuals from different sectarian backgrounds and social strata and unified them into a new society.
Sa΄adeh invited all his fellow citizens to discard their divisions and to unite their efforts around a common national cause; the cause of their existence in life, their sovereignty and independence, their unity and freedom, their progress and success. He introduced moral principles which instill sublime virtues in the minds of people and urge them to promote the national interest before any other interest. Syrian Nationalism promotes social cohesion and stability, and encourages the national group to develop its own innate faculties. It highlights their capacities and abilities, their beauty and goodness, and makes them aware of their great history and glories as well as their will and
aspirations. Thus, the 1st of March does not represent the birthday of an ordinary man; rather it signifies the beginning of a new era, characterized by awareness, confidence and trust. The 1st of March is a testimonial to a great man symbolising the greatness of the Syrian mind; it is a jubilation of people's awareness of their national reality and their solid faith in their talents, abilities and will.
Antun Sa΄adeh had repeatedly attested to the fact that there was a complete unification between the man [himself] and his principles, between the philosopher and his moral teachings. This fact is clearly evident in his assertion that "Antun Sa΄adeh does not merely signify Antun Sa΄adeh, but he symbolizes the principles of the nation's revival and its occupying the prominent position of glory and honour". It is also evident in his refusal, in 1935, to celebrate his birthday from the perspective of his own person, aside from the Social Nationalist teachings he put forth. On March 1st, 1935, a few of the first Social Nationalists to join the National Movement approached Sa΄adeh while he was in the headquarters of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, bringing with them a bouquet of flowers in recognition of Sa΄adeh's birthday. In response to their gesture, Sa΄adeh took the following oath:
"I, Antun Sa΄adeh, swear by my honor, my truth and my conviction to dedicate myself to my Syrian nation and to my country Syria; to work for the promotion of their life and progress; to be truthful to the principles I have formulated and which have become the cause of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party; to assume the leadership of the party and use the authority of leadership, its powers and its prerogatives in the interest of the party and the realization of its ultimate goals; and not to use the authority and powers of leadership except for the interest of the nation and the Social Nationalist cause. Over all this, I, Antun Sa΄adeh, swear."
Accordingly, the Syrian Social Nationalists celebrate the 1st of March as a National Day symbolizing the rebirth of their nation by a means of a new philosophy: the philosophy of social nationalism which
constitutes a new outlook on life, the universe, and the arts. They also celebrate this day:
a) To disseminate this new outlook across the Syrian Nation, creating a new Social Nationalist order that will ensure the nation's unity and sovereignty, protect its interest and raise its standard of living.
b) To confirm their social and spiritual unity and to demonstrate the reality of their participation in the national struggle for the cause of their entire nation.
c) As a tribute to Sa΄adeh the philosopher who was dedicated to his ‘noble' mission and demonstrated absolute sincerity to it by devoting all his energy and time to spread his moral principles, paying no attention to any personal advantage or benefit.
d) As a mark of respect to a man who always showed conviction and determination and endured imprisonment and persecution on many occasions; a man who devoted his life to his nation and taught that everything we have is from the nation and everything we hold is for the nation. Even the blood that flows through our veins does not belong to us, but is the property of the nation, such that when it demands it, we must provide it.
e) As a mark of respect to a daring leader who acted as a brave man and paid the ultimate sacrifice: martyrdom, asserting his moral teaching that "life altogether is an honourable stand".
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