Widespread Protests in Syria Over Cuts to Islamic Education Hours and Grading

Widespread Protests in Syria Over Cuts to Islamic Education Hours and Grading
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A decision by the Syrian Ministry of Education to reduce the teaching hours for Islamic Education and eliminate its score from final examinations has sparked a wave of public protests in the city of Hama. Many citizens view the move as a sign that the educational system is moving away from religious values.

A group of people gathered in front of the governorate building in Hama to protest the Ministry of Education’s decision. According to the RT network, the protesters considered the action a disregard for the role of religion in public education and demanded an immediate reversal of the ministry’s decision.

Videos circulated on social media showed participants expressing their anger through strong language. One protester, addressing the Minister of Education, notably stated, “We will bring men who love death as much as they love life; watch yourself,” an aggressive statement that received wide local media coverage.

According to Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed, some protesters argued that after years of hardship and war, Syrians expected religious education in schools to be strengthened, not curtailed. They also voiced concern over the substitution of some religious lessons with subjects such as music and artificial intelligence, viewing the decision as being in conflict with the community’s cultural identity.

Conversely, some civil activists on social media criticized the threatening tone used by some protesters, emphasizing the need to maintain a space for dialogue and civil education. One activist wrote, “We must illuminate the city with the light of knowledge and art, not with threats and violence.”