Middle East: Syria Country Report Last Updated: September 2009 Code: Not Rated ( Click here for a code description .)
	(Click here for a list of ICC articles on Syria.) List of Articles Last Updated: 2009-09-16

COUNTRY STATISTICS

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State Dept. Religious Freedom Reports:

2007

About Syria:

• Syria was the center of one of the most ancient civilizations on earth including a Semitic Empire.

• Tensions have been high both between Syria and Lebanon and Syria and USA. Syria became embroiled in the Lebanese Civil War; and as for America, Syria condemned its war on Afghanistan.

 Religious Atmosphere:

• Christian minorities are tolerated and have freedom to worship and witness within their own community, but all activities that could threaten the government or communal harmony are watched.  Evangelicals currently enjoy good standing, so they are hesitant to jeopardize this by witnessing too forthrightly.

• Syrian Christians have been a respected minority since the time of the church in Antioch.  The Orthodox and Catholics survived the rule of the Byzantines, Muslim Arabs, Crusaders and Ottomans.  Most Christians are Arab, but there is also a large Armenian community.  Christians are influential in the cities, professions, politics and the armed forces, but their percentage of the population is shrinking due to a high rate of emigration to the Americas and Africa.

Extremist Groups:

• Certain Islamic and Palestinian groups like the Islamic Brotherhood and Liberation Party are active in the country.

Government:

• The constitution provides for the freedom of religion.
• There is no state religion, but the President must be a Muslim and the constitution stipulates that Islamic jurisprudence is a principal source of legislation.
• Religious groups and sects must register with the government.
• Proselytizing is not illegal, but the government discourages it and even prosecute missionaries for their activities.
• Religious instruction is mandatory in schools. The instruction must come from government- approved teachers and curriculum.
• It is illegal for Muslims to convert to Christianity but the reverse is not true.
• Syria has been under a state of emergency since 1963.  Syrian governments have justified martial law by the state of war, which continues to exist with Israel, and by continuing threats posed by terrorist groups.

Year 2007 Update:

March 2007 ? Reports of riots between Christians and Muslim Kurds in Hassakeh Province. Three deaths were reported.

Suggested Actions You Might Take:

• Pray for the Christians of Syria that they may continue to be protected from harm and that the Christian message may be heard and received by all.

• Write a respectful letter to one or more of the government officials listed below. Express your continuing concern for the safety and wellbeing of the Christian community in Syria Request information about what steps the government is taking to ensure their protection and freedom to practice their faith as laid out in the UN?s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights documents.

• Contact the elected national officials (Senators, Congressman etc.) for your area as well as the U.S. State Department and express concern for the well being of the Christians in Syria asking them to make an inquiry into their status.

• Please keep us informed of any replies or results you may receive! Contact ICC by email at ICC@persecution.org.

Official Contacts:

*We make every attempt to keep up with and reflect changes in the national government of each country and the current human rights situation. We appreciate your feedback if you find any discrepancies in this information. You can contact us by e-mail at ICC@PERSECUTION.ORG . Thanks.

POSTED:  May 27,2004