Syria government clamps down on sectarian incitement at universities

The Syrian government has introduced a sweeping ban on the incitement of sectarian and racial hate at universities and learning establishments

MENA

3 min read

The New Arab Staff

11 May, 2025

This is the most direct action yet by the Syrian government to crack down on sectarian and ethnic incitement

Sectarian tensions at Syrian universities have seen Druze students bullied, harassed, and forced to flee [Getty]

Syria's Ministry of Higher Education has issued a sweeping ban on all forms of speech or publication that incite hatred, sectarianism, or racism.

The move comes after weeks of tension and sectarian violence that saw hundreds of Druze students from Suwayda province flee universities in Damascus and elsewhere due to threats and harassment.

The decision was announced by Minister of Higher Education Marwan al-Halabi and published on the ministry’s official platforms.

It prohibits students and staff at all public and private universities from publishing, circulating, or promoting any material that "harms national unity or civil peace".

Al-Halabi stressed that violations would mean "criminal, civil, and disciplinary accountability," with possible penalties including permanent expulsion and legal prosecution.

"Any breach of this decision," he warned, "will result in referral to disciplinary councils for the imposition of deterrent sanctions, up to and including final dismissal and prosecution".

The minister also tasked university presidents, deans, and residence directors with monitoring implementation across all relevant institutions.

The announcement follows incidents of sectarian violence in areas such as Sahnaya and Jaramana near Damascus and the Druze-majority southern province of Suwayda. The tensions have raised alarm over the safety of students from Suwayda.

The crisis reportedly began after the circulation of an audio recording, widely believed to be fabricated, which purported to feature a Druze religious leader making disparaging remarks about the Prophet Muhammad.

The clip, widely shared on social media, triggered outrage and calls for revenge, escalating tensions between communities and fuelling confrontations in university settings.

Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa addressed the issue in a Facebook post, stating that the Ministry of Higher Education is coordinating with the Governor of Suwayda and the Ministry of Interior to facilitate students’ return and provide necessary protection.

He pledged that Syrian universities would remain "beacons of thought and guardians of the diversity that the country proudly upholds".

In a related development, Interior Minister Anas Khattab and Higher Education Minister al-Halabi received a delegation of Suwayda community leaders headed by Governor Mustafa al-Bakkour. The parties discussed the safe transport of students to their places of study and the importance of ensuring stable conditions for continued education.

The decision also comes amid concern over the role of online misinformation in inflaming tensions. According to a report by the BBC Arabic service, false claims—including fabricated audio recordings—have circulated widely on social media platforms, deliberately fuelling sectarian incitement and spreading panic among students and their families.

Authorities have urged caution and fact-checking in the face of such content.

With investigations ongoing and security measures stepped up, authorities say they aim to prevent further escalation and ensure that students from all backgrounds can safely continue their studies.