Slogans spray-painted on walls have long been a form of political protest in Syria. In Kafr Nubbal, such political graffiti has shifted from criticism of the regime of Bashar al-Assad to rejection of increasingly Islamist practices imposed by rebel groups. Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, previously known as the al-Nusrah Front, has attempted to force shops to close during the five daily prayers and the attempt to impose the niqab, or face veil, in schools. The group has also tried to confiscate properties owned by people still loyal to the Assad regime but occupied by relatives whose homes had been destroyed in regime air strikes.