As Syria’s Transition Advances, Radical Islamists Appear Weakened by Government’s Pragmatism

Several incidents in September put the debate over public and personal freedoms at the centre of Syrian public life. Despite around 60 Islamist activists, including two MPs, calling for a boycott of singer Asala Nasri’s homecoming concert, the event was held, and the singer was decorated by the Minister of Culture. In Parliament, MPs floated bringing back corporal punishment and cutting the number of women teachers, before backing down after criticism. On a more religious level, the Mufti had to contain a row over leaked remarks about Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham and salafism.