US EditionSyrian Ban on Alcohol Reflects Shift Towards Conservatism
The ban exempts Christian neighborhoods and requires businesses to convert bar licenses to cafes, with a three-month compliance deadline, reflecting growing religious conservatism.
- On March 17, Reuters reported that Damascus city authorities banned alcohol sales in restaurants and bars across the city after a governorate decree issued on the evening of March 16.
- Officials framed the ban as a measure to address practices described as contrary to public morals, responding to numerous complaints from locals, while observers link it to a conservative shift since Ahmed al-Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad 15 months ago.
- Sales will be limited to sealed takeaway bottles in Christian neighbourhoods, and outlets must be at least 75 metres from worship and schools, 20 metres from security facilities, with three months to comply.
- One Damascus bar owner said he would close rather than convert after a sharp decline in customers since the Islamist-led government seized power, while Mohammad al-Abdullah, director of the Washington-based Syria Justice and Accountability Center, disputed the move's legality citing Article 12 of Syria's Constitutional Declaration.
- Critics cited arrests and firings during Ramadan, with Syrian analyst Jihad Yazigi stating, 'The decision effectively segregates between Muslims and Christians. It implies that Christians should stay in their areas and Muslims in theirs.
15 Articles
15 Articles
This decision marks a conservative turning point in the country led by transitional president Ahmed Al-Charaa. It runs counter to the promises made to Syrians to protect their fundamental rights and freedoms.
In Syria's capital city, the sale of alcohol is severely restricted. It is the latest Islamic-motivated decree in the former civil war country.
A decree issued by the Damascus governorate states that nightclub and bar licenses will be converted to coffeehouse licenses - A woman was arrested for not observing Ramadan
The Damascus Governorate has approved new measures prohibiting the serving of alcoholic beverages in restaurants and nightclubs in the city, in response to complaints from the local community and with the aim of curbing practices considered contrary to public morals.
The Islamist regime in Damascus has banned the sale of alcohol in restaurants and bars.
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