Sawt Falasteen - Syrians protest alcohol sale limits, curbs on personal freedom

The Syrian capital last week banned the sale of alcoholic beverages in restaurants and bars, only allowing stores in three Christian neighbourhoods to sell bottles for retail.

In one of the areas, Bab Tuma, demonstrators gathered in a silent protest following calls by civil society groups to condemn a move they said deepened sectarian divisions, with attendees holding posters that read "Personal freedom is a red line".

Security forces monitored the gathering, according to an AFP team on the ground.

Rami Koussa, a 37-year-old television writer, wondered if "the purpose of these decrees is to test the waters in order to pass similar decisions to restrict public freedoms and change the identity of the city".

"This type of decision will not stand," he added.

For university professor Hanan Assi, Syrians have "thousands of forgotten issues, from poverty to the displaced, the homeless, and refugees" that should be prioritised instead.

The restriction follows a series of similar decisions, like the nationwide imposition of "modest" swimwear on public beaches and the banning of makeup for public sector workers in Latakia.

The moves have fuelled fears of creeping social conservatism since the Islamist authorities took over after the 2024 fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.

- 'Drunk with love' -

To comedian Malke Mardinali, these decisions "are bringing people together in the squares", uniting them in their opposition.

Mirella Abu Shanab, a 37-year-old activist, said she believed the decree was "cutting off people's livelihoods and dividing Damascus" along religious lines.

"This is a matter of personal freedom. Whoever wants to drink can drink, and whoever doesn't want to, doesn't have to."

Damascus city had justified its decision by citing complaints, saying it was "at the request of the local community, and with the aim of eliminating practices that violate public morals".

In a statement on Saturday, it said it was maintaining its decision, which does not apply to hotels, and would study an exemption for "touristic" restaurants.

The new Islamist Syrian government has pledged to protect minorities, including Christians, but the country has been shaken by several instances of sectarian violence since its takeover.

In an implicit criticism of the decree, Social Affairs and Labour Minister Hind Qabawat, the only Christian minister in Syria's cabinet, said this week on Facebook that Christian districts "are not places for drinks and alcohol, but instead are the heart of Damascus and its glorious history, and a place of coexistence".

"We were never drunkards, but we are drunk with love for Syria," she added.

J.AbuShaban--SF-PST