Syrian Future Movement and the Legislative Package

The Syrian Future Movement (SFM) primarily believes in considering “the Abrahamic religions as a main reference for legislation for all citizens, with priority given to Islamic legislation due to the vast majority of the people,” according to its vision and approach.

SFM sees religious legislation as a historical phase deeply rooted in the structure and entity of the Syrian state. Hence, it should be considered in our times whenever needed and required by the same circumstances and contexts. From here, we see considering the religious legislations for the Syrian people as a source of legal legislation and a fundamental right of theirs.

SFM believes in religious pluralism, whether among different religions or even sects within the same religion. Therefore, there is no preference for one legislation over another when conflicts arise within the same religion. Instead, we see democratic practice as a middle ground to resolve conflicts, revolving around the supreme interest of the homeland and then the citizen, wherever they may be. The path of democracy does not interfere in correcting sects but prevents the escalation of conflicts into violent clashes.

SFM is a moral entity, and religiosity is a criterion for humans, not for moral entities! This is how we view every moral entity, including the common umbrella (the state), as it adheres to the religion of all its citizens, considering their considerations and reconciling between them.

SFM believes in the right of the religious to express their convictions and their religion, and to implement their legislations under the umbrella of the law and as guaranteed by the constitution for them, in a peaceful, non-violent manner.

SFM considers Islam, the four Sunni schools of jurisprudence, and the Ash’ari school as the predominant characteristic of the Muslim Syrian people, with the presence of other Islamic sects still considered a minority in the general fabric of the Syrian people, starting from the Salafi to the Zahiri, and not ending with the Modernist school. Therefore, it is the right of the majority to have their legislation as a priority, considering it a source of legal legislation.

SFM sees Takfir (declaring someone an infidel) as an unhealthy state in societies, remaining under control as long as it revolves within the space of thought, not belief! It should not become a means of using violence and dominance, turning into a ticking time bomb in society, waiting for the hour of explosion for both the homeland and the citizen. Therefore, we see religious sects that use violence in rejecting civil law and violently reject the source of other sects and religions for legislation as a danger that must be eliminated through the law and state institutions.

SFM sees the necessity of preserving the freedom of expression that opposes religious and non-religious legislations adopted by the legislative authority. It is an area for discussion and response through the representatives of the people under the dome of the People’s Council, which should encompass and accommodate everyone.

SFM sees civil law, emerging from the sons of the homeland themselves, as a civilized situation through which to resolve the clash between sectarian and religious pluralism on one hand, and the implementation of religious legislations through peaceful means on the other.

SFM believes in the right of all religions and sects to advocate, express their opinions and convictions, and work towards implementing their legislations through peaceful, non-violent means.

SFM believes that religion is a cultural and civilizational societal state that should not be fought against but rather used as a lever towards building the homeland and the state, a healthy state that encourages competition for the benefit of all Syrians.

SFM sees it as the right of the legislative authority to choose legislations that achieve the interest it sees through democratic practice, considering national interest a reason for changing legislations.

SFM believes that national interest does not conflict with religious purposes, and if it happens, it is an imagined conflict, due to not reaching the correct national interest or not choosing the correct religious legislation.

SFM supports any civilized dialogue among religious and political figures to intersect in what achieves the national interest and strengthens the social contract among Syrians themselves, including (religious figures and authorities), making dialogue the supreme means for exchanging views, presenting proposals, and ultimately preserving societies with a legislative package.

SFM believes that resolving legislative conflicts is important and necessary to withdraw the narrative of violent organizations and fortify the homeland, both present and future.