Syria adopts new constitution with Islamic law
Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has signed a temporary constitution establishing Islamic jurisprudence as the primary foundation of the country's legal system. This declaration, consisting of 44 articles, also commits to preserving freedoms of opinion and expression.
The constitution places Syria under the rule of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham for a five-year transitional period following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad. It promises to protect citizens' rights, including freedom of expression, and outlines the establishment of a People's Committee to serve as an interim parliament, with plans for elections within five years. However, there is skepticism among religious and ethnic minorities regarding the implementation of these provisions.
"God willing, this will be a new history for Syria, one in which we replace injustice with justice, we replace destruction with construction, and we replace ignorance with knowledge - God willing - and in which we also replace suffering with mercy," Ahmed al-Sharaa said.
Historically, Syria's legal system has incorporated elements of Islamic law alongside secular regulations. The 1973 constitution designated Islam as the state religion and identified Islamic jurisprudence as a main source of legislation, while also guaranteeing religious freedoms. Despite this, secularism has remained a significant aspect of Syria's governance, with the Ba'ath Party promoting Arab socialism and secular ideologies since 1963.
The recent constitutional changes represent a significant shift towards Islamic governance, raising concerns about the protection of minority rights and the balance between religious and secular influences in the country's legal and political systems.
