Freedom of Religion in Syria - Adoption, Change, and Renunciation of Religion

Adoption, Change, and Renunciation of Religion

Syrians are free to engage or refrain from engaging in belief or religious observance in any manner other than is prohibited by law. Article 35(1) of the Syrian constitution holds that: "Freedom of faith is guaranteed ." The provision includes the freedom to retain or chose one’s religion, or to replace the current religion with another, or to adopt atheistic views. There is no official legal punishment under Syrian law for apostasy of Islam, or any other religion. Islam unequivocally affirms the right of each individual to freedom of thought and religion. Article 35(2) of the Syrian Constitution stipulates that "the state guarantees the freedom to hold any religious rites ," as long as "they do not disturb public order." As far as can be established, there is no Syrian case law that would define the prohibition to "disturb public order." The provision is interpreted by scholarly means in the sense that a person who wishes to convert is free to do so as long as such activity is "made in private." The meaning of the words “in private” in association with the requirement not to “disturb public order” need to be looked at from two varying angles: converting from a specific Islamic cult to another cult, or none; and vice versa.