Druze spiritual leader Hikmat al-Hijri rejects Constitutional Declaration, calls for revision

DARAMSUQ — Hikmat al-Hijri, spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria, has joined the growing opposition to the recently adopted Constitutional Declaration, calling for its revision.

In a statement, al-Hijri emphasized his rejection of the declaration, arguing that it must be rewritten to establish a participatory democratic system that respects the country’s historical and cultural diversity. He called for clear separation of powers, greater independence for local administrations, and a reduction in what he described as the “monopolistic authority” of the presidency.

Al-Hijri urged for a well-organized and legally sound process to draft a new Constitutional Declaration, led by qualified national experts and representative of all Syrian communities. “The process must include committees from all provinces to ensure a truly inclusive and democratic framework,” he said.

The Constitutional Declaration, issued by Ahmad al-Sharaa, head of the Syrian Transitional Government (STG), has faced widespread criticism from political parties and civil groups. The Syriac Union Party (SUP), condemned the document for failing to recognize Syria’s diverse ethnic and religious communities, calling for its revision.

Similarly, the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES) and the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) rejected the Declaration, arguing that it does not meet the aspirations of the Syrian people.

Since its adoption, the Declaration has sparked protests across North and East Syria, with demonstrators denouncing provisions that, they say, disregard minority rights and consolidate executive power in the hands of a single ruler.

Druze and Syrian Transitional Government Relations

The Druze community in Syria, primarily concentrated in the southern province of Suwayda, has maintained a complex and often uneasy relationship with the STG. While the Druze have historically sought to preserve their autonomy, they have also resisted full alignment with both the Assad regime or the opposition. Over the years, tensions have flared between Druze leaders and the STG over issues such as local governance, military conscription, and political representation.

Despite periodic engagements with opposition factions, the Druze leadership has frequently criticized attempts to impose centralized control over their regions, advocating instead for a decentralized system that ensures their political and cultural rights. Al-Hijri’s latest rejection of the constitutional declaration reflects broader concerns within the Druze community about the STG’s approach to governance and minority rights in post-conflict Syria.