With the outbreak of the Syrian uprising in March 2011, Hilali joined with other activists to organize anti-protests in Qamishli. One of the locations where protests were organized was Qamishli's main mosque, near which Hilali's store was located. He supplied water, food, and paint to protesters from his store.[1] During the protests, he met with members of the Kurdish Future Movement, and founded the Sun of Freedom Movement with other protest organizers in the city.[1] On 30 April, Hilali and another activist were arrested by security forces.[4] After his release some time later, he joined the Kurdish Future Movement.