The leader of Syria, after Assad, pledged to the country for everyone. Some Syrians have their doubts

It is rare to see a country that comes out of destroying the 13 -year -old civil war and more than 50 years of authoritarian rule.

However, Syria, six months after the fall of President Bashar al -Assad, is trying to do so.

Reconstruction is ongoing. The suspension of ancient US sanctions has opened new economic opportunities. Foreign delegations return to the capital, Damascus.

Despite the signs of progress, the increasing concerns have appeared on reports of civil rights violations and targeting religious minorities – incidents that officials described as isolated.

Syria population It is mostly a Sunni Muslim – about 74 percent – along with other Islamic minorities, which represent about 13 percent, including Alawits. Christians represent about 10 percent, and three percent of the Druze.

Despite the repeated assurances of the new Syrian President, Ahmed Al-Sharra-previously Abu Muhammad Al-Jolani-that minorities are full citizens, and a series of accidents, especially against Alawites and DruzeAnxiety. Reports have emerged on violations targeting a nightclub in Damascus, adding uncomfortable.

Syrian journalist Absim, who moved to Damascus from Türkiye after the fall of Assad, links the current concerns of the behavior of some Islamic extremist groups.

“I have visited all regions of minority recently,” he said. “You can feel fear – not from the government itself, but from its inability to control the groups with jihadist backgrounds.”

When the rebels, who suffer from dental backgrounds, accompanied by groups of jihadist fighters, succeeded in bringing down the Assad regime in December, minority communities feared revenge.

Fears were particularly strong among those who were concerned about the ideological tendencies of the new leadership, many of whom are associated with Salafi or jihadist backgrounds and who usually follow the strict religious preservation. Some individuals who have such backgrounds defend strict social standards, especially around women’s clothing, gender gatherings, alcohol consumption and governance.

Changing social fabric

In a small bar on a narrow alley in the ancient heart of Damascus, a neighborhood known as bars and vibrant bars, Ghani Ishaq, a Christian, spoke about his dissatisfaction with what awaits us.

“You can order a drink addicted to alcohol, but you do not result in that” when you do not attack a Muslim extremist or a foreign jihadist fighter arrived in Damascus with the new leadership “because of this” because Muslim religious groups believe in prohibiting alcohol consumption.

Reports It indicates that the government is considering merging more than 3,500 fighters who came to Syria during the civil war to fight for the rebel factions in the National Army.

“These people did not come out of the love of Syria,” Isaac said. “They are gaining influence, sometimes more than the locals.”

In Bab Sharqi, the Christian neighborhood of Damascus, residents say the atmosphere has turned into a more pessimistic look since the political transition.

Isaac and his friend, Khalil Salem, did not leave Syria throughout the war and are concerned about what they call an increasing speech and extremism.

“Community events have diminished since the regime’s change,” Isaac said. “The government provides some security for celebrations and events such as Christmas and Easter, but we are more comfortable to rely on Christian volunteer guards, something we have not needed before.”

Saloum said that many Christians who know them are actively seeking immigration, for fear of their safety from illegal attacks and the search for the freedom to practice their culture without restrictions.

Sectarian clashes near Damascus

In Jaramana, one of the suburbs of Druze mostly outside Damascus, tensions remain high after deadly violence in April. the The disturbances ignited an audio recording This is what was claimed that the Prophet Muhammad, the most venerable person in Islam, is a lie to a Deroic cleric, Marwan Kiwan.

Although the government confirmed that the registration was fake, the clashes between the Syrian security forces and armed groups near Damascus were killed at least 10 people and led to a brief security insurance.

Among those who witnessed the local residents of Dima Masoud, Druze.

She said: “The government tried to contain violence, but also thanked those who” defended the Prophet “, who felt as if a form of indirect encouragement.”

Masoud is definitely not convinced by government officials that the accident was isolated.

“These are not just isolated incidents,” she said. “I don’t know whether the president really lacks control of the factions or if we are seeing a deeper fracture among the Syrians.”

When asked if the Shara had achieved his slogan that Syria is for everyone, Masoud presented her opinion: “Of course not.”

She feared that secularists and defenders of civil freedoms will now face a lot of marginalization, such as religious minorities.

Secularists also feel threat

In the live music café in Damascus, the author of the book, Jaber Yuhia, expressed the vibrant view of guarding.

He said, “My optimism depends on us (secular people) who work hard to prove ourselves.” “If the extremists are on our way, we will decline.”

Yehya, a former refugee in Europe, returned to Syria for good after changing the regime, driven by a vision for a more comprehensive future.

“I went back to help build Syria embrace everyone.”

Linda Bilal is not part of a group of minorities, but it belongs to a circle of liberal activists fighting to maintain their presence and civil freedoms against the growing extremist in Syria. She returned from Europe after the fall of Assad.

She recalled a tense meeting in April in the city of Idlib, the stronghold of the rebels in northwestern Syria, who was running a kind of shadow government. She was a foreign fighter who believed that she came from Egypt, which she faced not to cover her hair with a veil, and asked her to “respect the country.”

Bilal said: “The lion has fled, and now I am lecture on how to be a Syrian by a person not even from this country?”

However, Bilal is attributed to demanding her right to a voice in the future of Syria.

“I will not change. We need to restore the public space, the reinforcement and survival dialogue.”

Changing styles of clothing

In recent years, Syrian cities have reflected a mixture of conservative and liberal dress bases.

Although official clothing bases were not presented under the new system, many women have adopted in different parts of Syria a more cautious approach to their clothes.

DMA MASoud now has a more conservative look, choose long pants instead of short pants and wear long sleeves jackets.

She said, “I don’t know what can happen if I keep the old dressing style, but I am not ready to try.”

Its concerns reflect the increasing influence of militant Islamic groups that enhance strict standards of humility, including the veil (veil) – and in some areas, even the niqab.

But not everyone shares these concerns.

In Damascus, says Yara Shafa Omri, who has long chose her dress freely and without a veil, she did not have to change the bases of her dress under the new authorities.

She does not reports any harassment on her informal clothes or lifestyle. From its point of view, the online criticism that claims that the government imposes an exaggerated Islamic law and is not in line with its experience in living in Damascus.

“The social scene has not changed,” she said, noting that parties and gatherings with mixed sexes are still ongoing.

Shava believes that the new government’s criticism is premature.

“The new government inherited a broken system,” she said. “They have given us hope and a feeling of freedom. We cannot expect miracles overnight.”

Looking for more acting

in His opening speechAl -Sharra promised to “work on a comprehensive government that reflects the diversity of the country.”

“This has been somewhat fulfilled.

Abdel -Awghani, who has followed his network in the path of the Syrian war since 2011, said that his group “advised from the beginning that for a truly comprehensive political transition in Syria, it was necessary to participate in minority societies not as ethnic or religious groups, but as political owners.

“I had to deal with Syrian minority groups better,” he told the new government.

“I do not defend a sectarian government spread in the constitution. But during this critical period, the broader inclusion was necessary to avoid negative speculation.”