The hope for a new democratic state in Syria has been short-lived, as recent comments from Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s rebel leader, signal a shift from previous statements made on December 6, in which he explained that the sole purpose of the coalition was to overthrow the authoritarian regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
Communities within Australia who have families in Syria and neighboring countries fear that the proposed changes to the constitution in Syria could put pressure on families to leave due to religious discrimination. Sunni Arabs make up more than 70% of the population in Syria, while Shia, Alawites, Druze, and Christians represent other ethno-religious groups. A significant number of high-ranking officers in the Syrian Army and the security apparatus of the Assad government were Alawites.
“Our people (Shia) won’t be welcome,” says one woman, who wishes to remain anonymous.
“Even worse off are the Druze and Alawite communities. They already fear that their families overseas won’t have a place in this new regime. We own a local shop, and many people have come to our family to express their concerns,” the woman said.
Drafting a new constitution in Syria, which outlines how elections are conducted in the country, could take up to three years, said rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in an interview with Saudi state broadcaster Al-Arabiya on Sunday, December 29, 2024.
Currently, the Syrian Arab Republic Constitution states that sovereignty—a term referring to the authority to hold power, make laws, and enforce them—is a key principle. However, recent comments have raised concerns among Shia, Sunni, and Alawite communities, who are waiting to understand this radical change in Syria within the context of its constitution.
In Syria, the constitution states that the religion of the President of the Republic must be Islam, and Islamic jurisprudence is a major source of legislation.
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