Syria has a population of 15 million and is run by an autocratic regime supported by the military and secret services. The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the government generally respects this right in practice. The only advantage given to a particular religion by the Constitution is that which requires the President to be a Muslim. All religions and sects must register with the government, which monitors fundraising and requires permits for all meetings by religious groups, except for worship. According to observers, the government monitors sermons and worship services. Although no law prohibits non-Muslims from proselytizing Muslims, the government discourages such activity.
Discrimination persists against the Kurdish minority who constitute nine percent of the population. The use and teaching of the Kurdish language is restricted. Kurds are prevented from voting, owning land, and seeking employment in government jobs.
There is mandatory religious instruction in schools, with government-approved teachers and curriculum. Sunni Muslim make up 74 percent of the population, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16 percent, and Christian (various sects) 10 percent. The religion courses are divided into separate classes for Muslim and Christian students. Jews have a separate primary school for Jews only, which includes religious instruction. The few remaining Jews in Syria are generally barred from government employment and do not have military service obligations. They are the only minority group whose passports and identity cards note their religion.
2003 US State Department International Religious Freedom Report on Syria
Militant Islam on the rise in secular Syria Worldwide Religious News 5/11/04
Search Amazon.com for books on religious freedom in Syria