Druze Delegation Meets al-Julani, Fears for Religious Freedom Grow
syrian Druze Fear Religious Coercion After Meeting with Opposition Leader
BETHLEHEM, PA – A delegation from Syria’s Druze community met with Abu Muhammad al-Julani, the leader of the Syrian opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, in Damascus last Monday. The meeting, requested by the spiritual leader of the Suwayda community in southwestern Syria, aimed to secure al-Julani’s commitment to protecting Druze rights and integrating them into Syrian society. However, the delegation left deeply disappointed, fearing a future of religious coercion under al-Julani’s leadership.
Al-Julani emphasized the need for a unified Syria under a state-centric mentality,calling for a social contract that guarantees social justice for all. However, he made no concrete promises regarding religious freedom for the Druze community.
“What is happening reflects the intent of religious coercion, which raises our concerns about our future in the country,” a senior Druze official told reporters. The official expressed fears that al-Julani’s vision of a “centralized authority based on Islamic law” poses a direct threat to Druze identity and religious freedom.
These fears are rooted in past experiences. In 2015, the Druze residents of Jabal al-Suma in Suwayda were forced to study the Quran and adopt Islamic dress codes, prompting a mass exodus. One displaced resident recalled the fear that gripped the community, stating, “Many families left fearing that their daughters would be forcibly married off to ISIS members.”
The Druze community had hoped for a democratic Syria that would protect minorities after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. However, the current reality paints a worrying picture for the future of the Druze in Syria.
Druze fear Religious Coercion in Post-Assad Syria
Bethlehem, PA - In a tense meeting last Monday, a delegation from Syria’s Druze community met with Abu Muhammad al-Julani, leader of the powerful opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), in Damascus. The meeting, initiated by the spiritual leader of the suwayda community, aimed to secure al-Julani’s commitment to Druze rights and their integration into post-Assad Syrian society.
However, the delegation left deeply concerned, fearing religious coercion under HTS leadership. While al-julani stressed the need for a unified Syria under a state-centric mentality and a social contract guaranteeing social justice, he offered no concrete assurances regarding religious freedom for the Druze.
“What is happening reflects the intent of religious coercion, which raises our concerns about our future in the country,” labelled a senior Druze official. The official expressed anxieties that al-Julani’s vision of “centralized authority based on Islamic law” directly threatens Druze identity and religious freedom.
This fear stems from past precedent.In 2015, Druze residents of Jabal al-Suma in Suwayda were forced to study the Quran and adopt Islamic dress codes, leading to a mass exodus.
“Many families left fearing that their daughters woudl be forcibly married off to ISIS members,” recalled one displaced resident.
The druze community had envisioned a democratic Syria safeguarding minorities after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. Yet, the current landscape paints a worrying picture for their future in a Syria dominated by HTS.