Implementation of Islamic Law in Police Training Faces Mixed Reactions
Syria’s new authorities have adopted Islamic teachings to train a fledgling police force, aiming to instill a sense of morality and fill the security vacuum after dismantling the corrupt and brutal security forces of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
Police brought from the northwestern region of Idlib to Damascus are questioning recruits about their beliefs and focusing on Islamic sharia law in their brief training, emphasizing principles of ethics and distinguishing between what is “permissible” and “not permissible.”
This move has sparked concerns among certain groups, particularly minority communities and secular Sunni Muslims, who fear that the shift towards religious policing could lead to discrimination. The move has also raised questions from foreign governments about the future role of Islam in Syria’s constitution.
While the senior officers involved stress that the aim is not to impose sharia on the general population but to train police in ethical behavior, the growing role of religion in the new force is seen as a challenge by some Syrians who prefer a secular government.
