Syria's Cosmic Pioneer: Remembering Mohammad Faris, the 'Armstrong of the Arab World'
In 1987, Mohammad Faris made history by embarking on an eight-day space journey as part of the Soviet Union's Interkosmos program. He proudly represented Syria as its first astronaut, leaving a lasting mark as the second Arab to venture into space.
Mohammad Faris, also known as the “Armstrong of the Arab World” and Syria's only astronaut, passed away at the age of 72 in exile in the Turkish city of Gaziantep on Friday. A close friend who spoke to CNN over the phone shared that Faris died from complications of a heart attack he had suffered a month ago.
Back in 1987, Faris, a pilot in the Syrian Air Force, had the opportunity to spend eight days in space as part of the Soviet Union's Interkosmos spaceflight program. He flew with a Soviet crew to the Mir space station, making history as the first and only ****Syrian astronaut and the second Arab to reach space.
Syrians gathered to watch the moment when former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, father of current President Bashar, spoke with Faris during a live phone call broadcast on state TV while Faris was in space. Faris was asked what he could see, and he responded, "I see my beloved country, I see it wonderful and beautiful as it truly is." These seemingly innocent words marked the beginning of his downfall.
In a 2023 documentary aired on news network Al Jazeera, Faris revealed that he had chosen not to read a pre-written speech during the live phone call. Instead, he ad-libbed, which upset the Syrian dictator who was not used to sharing the spotlight with another Syrian.
Upon his return to Syria, Faris was hailed as a hero by thousands of Syrians. However, Hafez al-Assad had a different perspective. Instead of hanging the medal around Faris' neck during a ceremony, Assad handed him the medal in a box.
In a later interview, Faris revealed that he had requested President Assad to support a national space program to inspire more Syrians to pursue space exploration. Unfortunately, Assad declined, allegedly because he was not inclined to assist his fellow countrymen in their personal development.
Kennedy Space Center, Florida is the setting for this image of Space Shuttle Columbia, which appears small against the backdrop of billowing smoke and steam at Launch Pad 39A. The launch of Columbia on mission STS-107 took place as scheduled at 10:39 a.m. EST after a smooth countdown. The 16-day research mission will involve various experiments, including FREESTAR and the SHI Research Double Module (SHI/RDM), also known as SPACEHAB. These experiments cover a wide range of topics, from material sciences to life sciences.
Columbia is expected to land at approximately 8:53 a.m. EST on Saturday, February 1st. This mission marks the first Shuttle mission of 2003 and is the 28th flight of the orbiter Columbia, as well as the 113th flight overall in NASA's Space Shuttle program. The photo capturing this moment is courtesy of Scott Andrews.
Date Created:2003-01-16
NASA/Courtesy of Scott Andrews
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Faris experienced a disappointing end to his interactions with Hafez al-Assad during their final meeting, which was also attended by Saudi astronaut Prince Sultan bin Salman. Assad brought up a moment during takeoff when Faris exclaimed "Ya Allah", which means "Oh God" in literal translation but is commonly used to mean "let's go" in colloquial Arabic. Assad found it offensive to the Russians, but Faris defended himself by stating that the Russians were not bothered by it and considered it normal.
After returning to Earth, Faris chose to live a peaceful life in Aleppo. However, following Hafez's passing and the rise of his son Bashar al-Assad to power, Faris became a supporter of the Syrian revolution that began in 2011. In 2012, Faris made the decision to defect and openly oppose the Syrian government, despite the serious risks it posed to both himself and his family.
Faris shared with Al Jazeera in 2023 that when they made the decision to leave Syria, he spread his children out in various areas of Aleppo with a plan to reunite at a specific location. They departed in a car with the assistance of someone who aided in their escape.
As they were on the move, Faris mentioned that there was a helicopter flying above them. However, upon reaching a town where the Free Syrian Army was present with machine guns, the helicopter quickly retreated.
Faris, who had previously lived in Russia for training between 1985-1987, moved to Turkey to live as a refugee. He quickly became well-liked within the Syrian refugee community in Istanbul. In 2020, Faris was granted Turkish citizenship, as reported by the Turkish state broadcaster TRT.
During a March 2016 interview with AP, Faris expressed his criticism towards Russia's support of the Syrian regime. He voiced his regret over Moscow's backing of the dictatorship in Syria, stating, "I am very sorry about the Russian interference, which has supported dictator Bashar al-Assad and has started killing the Syrian people with their planes." This sentiment comes from someone who was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his time spent in Russia's closed Star City in the Moscow region, preparing for his space journey.
Editor's P/S:
The life of Mohammad Faris, Syria's only astronaut, is a poignant tale of triumph and adversity. His historic spaceflight in 1987 made him a national hero, but his outspoken nature and support for the Syrian revolution led to his exile. Faris's death in Turkey at the age of 72 marks the loss of a true pioneer who risked everything for his beliefs.
Faris's story highlights the complexities of navigating political repression and the sacrifices that individuals make for freedom. His courage in opposing the Syrian regime, despite the risks it posed to his family, demonstrates his unwavering commitment to his principles. Faris's legacy as a hero and an advocate for change will continue to inspire future generations of Syrians.
