Damascus celebrated the anniversary of the Evacuation — the evacuation of brute force from the approaches of right; and it was a truly splendid celebration, in which shone forth the patriotic feeling that yearns for liberty and dignity.
Syria, from end to end, put on the marks of joyous adornment, and thousands of her sons streamed to the immortal capital, where they joined with the delegations of the sister Arab nations in what this anniversary inspires: pride in victory after long struggle, and a sense of the grave responsibilities this victory demands.
Nor was the Syrian woman the least of the citizens in pride at the
victory and in the sense of responsibility, for she came forward to express them with the truest of expression — she who has radiant pages in the history of the struggle; she who has to her name, in the register of the renaissance — past, present, and future — praiseworthy deeds, brilliant works, and projects that stand as proof of the awareness and understanding she has attained.
It gives "The Woman's Voice" pleasure that the rising woman of letters Mrs. Munira Ali al-Muhayri has favored it with this word "Inspired by the Evacuation," that it may offer it to its Arab women readers under every sky, as the finest expression of what woman's mind and heart feel toward this anniversary, immortal in our history by God's leave:
On such a day as this, one year ago, there rose from the sky of Arabism a shining sun after nights of blackness, and it sent forth light and liberty.
The faithful hailed it with eyes wet with joy and hearts beating with happiness, after bloody tears, burning griefs, and wearying pains — which never weakened the resolve of the believers, nor left despair any path into the souls of the pure and righteous sons of Damascus.
...On such a bright and blazoned day the beloved flag rose high over the approaches of Syria, its uplands, its summits, and its lowlands, with no flag above it and no banner to rival it.
...On such a glorious day pride spread through souls, and gladness through breasts, and the smile upon lips.
We used to open our eyes and see nothing but the flags of the tyrannous occupier fluttering, his oppressing soldiery strutting, and his columns following one upon another.
Then the nation struggled the struggle of heroes, and gave freely of life and treasure, until it drove out the tyrant intruder, and he went forth condemned and routed, never to return.
On such a day the nation marched in a single rank, under a single banner and a single command, heralding a complete Arab unity: no frontiers, no petty states, but one immortal Arab state, carrying the torch of liberty and civilization, blazing, lighting the ways, and opening the field to everyone who seeks eminence and glory and is enamored of noble ends and great hopes.
Good tidings to you, O Syria! For you have found among your sons those who will strengthen your side, immortalize your name, and raise your standing.
They are the call of the future, the surge of spring, the movement of life.
After today the Syrian girl's work will not be boasting of pedigrees or vaunting of food and dress, but knowledge, and work, and earnest striving, with which she will build the towers of glory and teach the sons of the homeland pride, high-mindedness, honor, and devotion.