The Constitutional Declaration stipulates that Islam is the religion of the president and Islamic jurisprudence is the ‘primary source’ of legislation.450 This marks a notable shift from the previous constitution, which considered Islamic law as ‘a main source’ of legislation.451 The president established a new Fatwa Council comprised entirely of Sunni members which is tasked with assessing whether legislation conforms to Islamic law.452 While no new laws were introduced to formally restrict social life453 and no systematic nationwide policy to impose Islamic norms was enacted,454 there were reports of increasing religious conservatism455 and attempts by individuals to enforce Islamic norms in practice,456 including by local authorities.457 Many attempts to enforce Islamic norms and regulations have primarily occurred at the local level,458 by local councils or provincial administrations issuing decisions and directives.459 These measures are often presented as the implementation of existing laws460 or are justified on the grounds of public interest and compliance with Islamic principles.461
- 450
Security Council Report, April 2025 Monthly Forecast, 31 March 2025, url
- 451
BBC News, Syria leader signs temporary constitution for five-year transition, 14 March 2025, url
- 452
International Crisis Group, What Lies in Store for Syria as a New Government Takes Power?, 25 April 2025, url
- 453
BBC News, Syrians have more freedom after Assad, but could they soon lose it?, 18 April 2025, url
- 454
Haid Haid, online interview with EUAA, 28 April 2026
- 455
New York Times (The), Clashing Visions of Syria’s Future Play Out in Ancient Alleys of Damascus, 11 August 2025, url
- 456
BBC News, Syrians have more freedom after Assad, but could they soon lose it?, 18 April 2025, url; Syrian Observer (The), “Muslims Are More Disturbed Than Christians”: Rising Fears Among Syrians Over Islamic Evangelism, 24 March 2025, url
- 457
Haid Haid, online interview with EUAA, 28 April 2026; New Arab (The), Syrian authorities walk back Damascus alcohol curbs after protests, 23 March 2026, url; New York Times (The), A Ban on Makeup in Syria Has Some Red in the Face, 20 February 2026, url
- 458
Al-Tamini, A., A Damascus Suburb Local Council's Regulations Against Blasphemy, Aymenn’s Monstrous Publications, 26 May 2026, url; Haid Haid, online interview with EUAA, 28 April 2026
- 459
Al-Tamini, A., A Damascus Suburb Local Council's Regulations Against Blasphemy, Aymenn’s Monstrous Publications, 26 May 2026, url; New York Times (The), A Ban on Makeup in Syria Has Some Red in the Face, 20 February 2026, url; Haid, H., The Latakia makeup ban is a bad omen for Syria, 8 February 2026, url
- 460
New Arab (The), Syrian authorities walk back Damascus alcohol curbs after protests, 23 March 2026, url;
- 461
Al-Tamini, A., A Damascus Suburb Local Council's Regulations Against Blasphemy, Aymenn’s Monstrous Publications, 26 May 2026, url; Haid, H., The Latakia makeup ban is a bad omen for Syria, 8 February 2026, url