Antoun el-Fata, “Akhbar al-Yawm” agency

Ramadan as a Litmus Test: Defining the Future of Syria's New Leadership

The constitution will enable the prosecution of any entity attempting to impose religious practices on people

Between Western confirmations and direct and indirect messages, there’s a clear indication to the new Syrian regime that there’s no readiness to support any Islamic government in Syria, nor any ruling authority that doesn’t respect the rights of minorities, humans, and women... and between the daily experiences witnessed in various Syrian regions and neighborhoods, there’s quite a significant gap.

Could this year's Ramadan serve as the definitive, clear, and final indicator of Syria's new regime, which emerged from the ruins of the Assad regime? And how?

During Ramadan, certain practices and behaviors may or may not arise in Syria, providing insight into the nature and future of this new government. These will test its readiness to embrace secularism, respect for minorities, human rights, and the religious and sectarian diversity of the country.

For example, if a Christian is harassed for eating in public during Ramadan, if restaurants and hotels are forced to stop serving food during fasting hours, or if non-fasting Muslims are treated as criminals or face fines, it could signal a shift towards a religiously driven governance model. Similarly, if there are incidents of hiding non-fasting behavior, restrictions on women and girls engaging in certain activities independently, mandatory prayers for Muslims, or opposition to Christian churches and their practices during Ramadan (as a precursor to future measures), this would suggest that Syria is heading towards a new, overtly religious state.

On the other hand, preventing such behaviors and taking action against those who attempt to enforce them would indicate the emergence of a gradually acceptable secular governance system, and its new constitution won’t have a specific ideological tint.

A well-informed source revealed that "Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the leader of the new Syrian administration, seeks to project a different image to the world, despite the general atmosphere confirming that there must be concern for Syria's future, and that it is open to all kinds of possibilities".

Speaking to “Akhbar Al-Yawm” agency, the source urged observers to monitor whether Al-Sharaa would exert pressure on governance and constitutional levels to prevent such practices or if he even intends to do so. The timeline for drafting the new constitution will also be a key indicator. The constitution's emphasis on secularism, or lack thereof, will determine the future of Syrian openness and the ability to prosecute any entity imposing religious behaviors on people, including non-Muslim minorities.

The source continued: "Al-Sharaa has reportedly assured international envoys that there will be no Islamic Sharia-based government in Syria. However, the real challenge lies in long-term developments rather than official statements”, asserting that “Christians and other minorities are an integral part of the country".

"The critical test will be the government's ability to manage the relationship between the public, active elements on the ground, religious leaders, and religious institutions. For now, Syria remains in a highly uncertain phase, with its future yet to be clearly defined", the source concluded.