Syrian Transitional Government Ministry of Religious Affairs calls for moderate and inclusive mosque sermons

DARAMSUQ — The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Awqaf) of the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) called on mosque preachers to adopt moderate Islamic principles, emphasizing the need for an inclusive religious discourse that promotes unity, social peace, and national progress.

“Preachers must follow a balanced approach, avoiding extremism or excessive leniency,” stated SANA, citing the ministry. “Sermons should encourage wisdom and tolerance while steering clear of sectarianism and political bias.”

تعميم من وزارة الاوقاف لأئمة وخطباء المساجد يؤكد على ضرورة الالتزام بالخطاب الجامع والابتعاد عن الخطب التحريضية والالتزام بمنهج الوسطية دون افراط او تفريط مع التاكيد على الابتعاد عن التعصب وتحييد المنبر عن الطعن في الكيانات او الاشخاص . pic.twitter.com/fe20ylGZGm

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The ministry urged preachers to verify information from trusted sources before addressing religious matters and to focus on delivering messages that resonate with the community’s needs. Additionally, it instructed preachers to limit sermons to 30 minutes to avoid unnecessary prolongation and ensure that religious rulings align with the four traditional Sunni schools of jurisprudence.

This initiative is part of Syria’s ongoing efforts to counter extremist rhetoric and foster social cohesion.

Historically, the Syrian regime has exercised tight control over mosque sermons, particularly after the 2011 uprising when religious platforms were frequently utilized for political messaging.