Syria - Religions

Islam is the religion of the vast majority. About 74% of the population are Sunni Muslims. Alawite, Druze, Ismailis, Shi'a, and Yazidis account for another 16% of the population. The Alawite constitute an important minority in Syria and hold a disproportionate share of political power; although they consider themselves Muslims, they combine their avowed creed with Christian rituals and esoteric cults. Also important are the Druzes (most of whom live in the Jabal Ad-Duruz), whose religion is an offshoot of Shi'a Islam. Orthodox Muslims, Alawites, and Druzes together constituted about 90% of the population in 1999. About 10% of the population is Christian, with Greek Orthodox being the largest denomination. Other Christian churches include Armenian Catholic, Armenian Orthodox (Gregorian), Syrian Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Maronite Christian, Baptist, Mennonite, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Nestorian (Chaldean). The small Jewish population is urban, living primarily in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo.

Under the 1973 constitution, Islam is no longer declared to be the religion of the state, but the president of Syria must still be a Muslim, and Islamic law is a major source of legislation. Freedom of worship is guaranteed by the constitution. Armed opposition to the government by Muslim fundamentalists grouped in an Islamic Front took many lives during 1976–82. The movement collapsed following the government's suppression of a major uprising in Hamath in February 1982, an action in which upwards of 5,000 died. Jehovah's Witnesses have been banned by the government, which considers them to be a politically motivated Zionist organization. Certain Christian and Muslim holidays are officially observed.