Suleiman Shummar was born in 1958 at Al-Salamia. He studied at the University of Electronic Engineering but was unable to continue his studies due to financial reasons. He later took up his studies again, this time at the open university in Damascus, media studies.Mr Shummar became a member of the Arab Revolutionary Workers Party in 1986. In 1991 he was elected to the National Conference of the party. And two years later, in 1993, he was elected to represent the Party in the Democratic National Congress. In 1996 he was elected to be member of the political bureau of the Party.
Mr Shummar is also a member of the Temporary Committee of the Damascus Declaration.
He is an active political writer and analyst.
His wife died 4 years ago, and he has one daughter called Rawia, who is 13 years old.
He suffers from bad health, 3 years ago he had heart surgery. Shortly before his arrest, his doctors told him that he needed a new heart operation urgently.
