The temporary constitution reads: “Citizens are equal before the law in rights and duties, without discrimination based on race, religion, gender or lineage.” Furthermore, it promises that the government is: “committed to combatting all forms of violent extremism while respecting rights and freedoms.”

The declaration comes after a surge of violence against Syria’s faith groups led by pro-Assad fighters, where over 1500 people had been killed.

President Bashar al-Assad used to be an Alawite Muslim, which is a minority group in Syria. Even though his regime was infamous for its brutality, Christians who abode the rules and did not challenge Assad had been guaranteed government positions.

According to Martin Parsons – CEO of the Lindisfarne Centre for the Study of Christian Persecution – President Bashar al-Assad may take the country in a different direction, due to his background as a jihadist: “Things are already getting much more difficult for Christians. What Sharaa is doing is Islamising the country… We’re seeing the old secular constitutions gone.”

The new constitution insists that the country must be led by a Muslim. It also sets up an interim parliament, known as the ‘People’s Committee’. Two-thirds of its members will be personally appointed by al-Sharaa. The Associated Press reports that “glorifying the former Assad regime” is considered a crime under the new rules. There will be another committee appointed to draft a permanent constitution, however, it is unclear whether Christians or other religious groups will be involved in the decision making.

Current changes and the shadows of Islamic State’s presence in the country causes anxiety and uncertainty among Syrian Christians. An anonymous local stated: “All Christians I know now want to leave the country.”

Source: https://premierchristian.news/