He is noted for the strong political criticism in his films and played a prominent role in the events of the Damascus Spring of 2000.

Amiralay was a prominent participant in the various debates and petitions that marked the Damascus Spring.

At the time of the 2000 Damascus Spring the party was able to publish a newspaper called an-Nour ('the Light').

The Rally was later active in the Damascus Spring of 2000, holding seminars and advocating political freedom.

Freewheeling political discussion forums sprang up in the first half of 2001, a moment that came to be known as the Damascus Spring.

(Syrian democracy and Lebanese independence: in search of the Damascus Spring).

Following the Damascus Spring, there was speculation that such parties might be revived .

The Damascus Spring made a major impact across the Arab world, and initially there was considerable optimism that it would lead to real change.

He had been imprisoned following the 'Damascus Spring' in 2001.

Although the Damascus Spring had lasted for a short period, its effects still echo during the political, cultural and intellectual debates in Syria today.