How Clerics in Syria Help the Regime

State-appointed religious leaders used to manipulate fears of wider public

By a Syrian Blogger

It seems that the Syrian revolution is taking different a path from those that preceded it, especially that of Egypt – no matter how much the Syrians would like things to happen the Egyptian way.

Tens of Syrians were killed just in the first few days of the protests. This confirms how the regime plans to deal with peaceful demonstrations, and how the authorities perceive political, economic and social reform. Thus, the revolution took the path of bloodshed and that of the pre-fabricated scenarios of the state media.

Everyone could tell that the Syrian regime had prepared for the events by putting together, in its dark intelligence basements, several plans of action and a series of lies. The accusations were already tailored and – with the media never been as censored and harassed as it is today – the only medium really working freely in the field is the Syrian state TV which covers what is happening in its own twisted way. And they also mobilise the clerics. It no longer seems strange to hear what some of these religious figures have to say, especially when you know that they never open their mouths without previous approval from the security apparatuses. This endorsement is exactly what got them into the position of ministers, muftis or mosque imams.

For more than 40 years, the autocratic regime has worked on formulating a religious body that is entirely loyal to it. At the same time, it crushed every attempt to deviate from that path with an iron fist. The regime has destroyed entire cities on top of its residents just to demonstrate its rule and to force the religious rhetoric to consist of nothing but cheers for the regime itself.

This is how state-controlled religious speech has become the specialty of the “Awkaf” ministry for religious affairs, which in turn is controlled by the security networks. Even right before and during the popular protests, the state clergy attempted to inject the Syrian society with anesthetic, calling on them be patient and wait for their demands to be met. At the same time, they worked on sowing distrust and scaring people with the instability that would allegedly result from disobedience to the leadership.

The clergymen did not stop at that. They also played a negative role in depressing people’s enthusiasm and planting fear in their hearts. They even passed a fatwa (religious ruling) on not going to the mosques for the Friday prayer. Some clergy went further to claim that women’s participation in demonstrations was “haram” (sinful) because it encouraged mixing between the sexes.

When you know that these clergy are regime-appointed, has and made stars of in the state media, like Mohd Said Ramadan El-Boti and the mufti of the republic as well as others, it is not surprising anymore to hear such appalling and ridiculous fatwas.

Many Syrian citizens are no longer affected by this kind of religious speech. Yet, much of the Syrian public, especially those who have a religious background, could still be manipulated by those men.

The interesting part is that many clergy, who kept quiet and neutral at the beginning of the protests, have now felt it necessary to stand up to the “state religion”. Despite the intense security presence, some clergy actually participated in the protests and openly supported the demonstrators, like Sheikh Imad Rasheed and some of the Khaznawi religious group. This keeps hopes high that there are still clerics with integrity who represent society’s real fabric, and that religious advice is not the monopoly of state clergy.

It seems the regime is still trying to win the confidence and support of the undecided or neutral clergy and citizens. But when – as many Syrians joke – the media tells lies even in the weather forecast, the task becomes very difficult.

The demonstrations are growing more popular, maybe setting the stage for a real revolution that will test the stamina of the regime itself. The demonstrators are heading towards more peaceful protests where they’ll defy live bullets with bare chests, while the regime presents false integrity, reason and fake democracy.

Unfortunately, the list of shame is getting longer. More religious leaders are participating in raising the price that the Syrian people have to pay in return for freedom. It is time that every citizen assumes his duties and responsibilities in this delicate situation.