Emerging Sunni tyranny in Syria

Syria is a country with a rich tapestry of cultural, social, and religious diversity, shaped by its long history and strategic location in the Middle East. There are many Christian denominations (Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Chaldeans, Armenians, among others), several Muslim groups (Sunnis, Shiites, Alawites), and some other religious minorities, including Druze and even Mandaeans. Like this religious mosaic, the ethnic makeup is also strikingly varied, as there are Arabs, Kurds, Armenians, Turkmens, Assyrians/Syriacs (a small but historically significant group, tied to ancient Mesopotamian heritage and Aramaic-speaking Christian communities), and other groups.

This rich and complex cultural and religious mosaic is now under alarming threat, as the new Islamist government in Syria is showing clear signals of partiality towards the Sunni Salafi brand of Islam. If things continue as they are developing, the end result might be a Sunni dictatorship, a similar version of the tyrannical Shiite regime in Iran.

Consider two recent alarming signs.

First, the new Islamist government in Syria issued a temporary constitution, proposing it as a “Constitutional Declaration of the Syrian Arab Republic.” It declares, “The religion of the President of the Republic is Islam, and Islamic jurisprudence is the principal source of legislation.” If the president can only be Sunni and the laws are based on that version of Islam, the multifaceted religiosity of Syria is definitely undermined, as Islam—in its Sunni Salafi version—emerges as the default position. This will have significant consequences on religious freedoms and human rights in Syria, as Sunni Islam and its traditional jurisprudence don’t view non-Muslims as equal to Muslims in rights or status. This will be negative for non-Sunni minorities, including Christians, atheists, and even Shiite Muslims. Minorities will likely be harshly marginalized, and the result won’t be a civil society but a theocratic totalitarian regime.

While other parts in the proposed constitution declare, “Freedom of belief is protected,” no one should be deceived by these fancifully appeasing claims, as they are contradicted and undermined by other caveats and disclaimers that reveal that the state supports all religions “provided that this does not disturb public order.” Of course, disturbing public order will be defined by what a Sunni Salafist ideology expresses. This proposed constitution is moving forward smoothly and swiftly, largely unchallenged and unquestioned, while the international community is watching without significant interference as, unfortunately, no other feasible options for governance currently exist in Syria.

Second, the world seems to have quickly forgotten the character of the new Islamist government in Syria. Leaders in the government were known internationally as being part of a terrorist organization only a few months ago. Under Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who recently rebranded himself after being known as an ISIS-Qaeda terrorist, the new cabinet is made up of Sunni Salafi and Jihadi members in all major ministries (defense, interior, foreign affairs, and justice). These ministers were chosen because they are devotees and zealots of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which controlled parts of Syria and established Sharia-exclusive lands against the Assad regime.

The picture is clear: The new government is Sunni Salafi in its composition and disposition. This will likely result in a significant marginalization of non-Sunni minorities in the long run, as this cabinet is characterized by exclusion and religious extremism. This is evidenced in a bizarre new development: Back in March, after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan was over, the new president decided to perform the Eid al-Fitr communal prayer at the heart of the People’s Palace. Why is this problematic? This symbolic and historical house is the location of government—the official residence of the president of Syria. On March 29, the government was sworn in at the palace, and two days later the Islamic communal prayer of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr was performed.

Should the world expect an Easter Prayer performed in the People’s Palace likewise? Would a Jewish Hannukah or a Hindu festival occur at some point as well? Of course not.

The message is clear. Syria is turning into a decidedly Sunni-Salafi state, run by openly Jihadi zealots who rebranded themselves after governing a Sharia-loving land just a few months ago. While all solutions are now bad in Syria, the refusal of the international community to face the emerging reality in Syria will only result in future discrimination against and persecution of non-Sunni minorities—who keep suffering while the world is watching.