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The Sunni Religious Establishment of Damascus: When Unification Creates Division
June 24, 2020

The 2011 uprising in Syria totally transformed the religious establishment in Damascus. The regime sent into exile many prominent, influential religious figures who, forced to work from abroad, formed a religious opposition group called the Syrian Islamic Council.

  • Laila Alrefaai
  • Thomas Pierret
  • Mounir Al Fakir
paper
The Sunni Religious Establishment of Damascus: When Unification Creates Division

The religious sphere in Rural Damascus Governorate is poised to become a political battleground as both the regime and the exiled opposition seek to court a new rising group of religious leaders.

  • Laila Rifai
· June 19, 2020
commentary
Gulf Rifts on Display During Ramadan and the Pandemic

Divisions dating to the June 2017 split among Gulf Cooperation Council states have shaped the region’s contrasting approaches to political messaging and public health in a time of observance.

· May 22, 2020
commentary
Ramadan to Test Religious Elements of Saudi Pandemic Response

The kingdom’s national history, geopolitical competition, and future vision have all shaped its approach to the coronavirus. The Islamic holy month will underscore how long-standing traditions have changed.

· April 22, 2020
article
Islamic Authority and Arab States in a Time of Pandemic

To contain the coronavirus, Arab governments are mobilizing official Islamic institutions. The most pressing goal is to shut down sites of potential contagion as Ramadan approaches.

· April 16, 2020
In the Media
Is Al-Azhar Pushing the Envelope?

Shaykh al-Azhar Ahmed al-Tayyib criticized the state of Arabs and Muslims worldwide–including, one presumes, its rulers.

· March 4, 2020
Open Democracy