AP reports that on March 13, Syria's interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, signed an Interim Constitutional Declaration (full text), which will be in effect until a new permanent constitution for the country is drafted and adopted and national elections are held under it. The Interim Constitutional Declaration provides in part:
Article 3 – Islam, freedom of belief, personal status
1. The religion of the President of the Republic is Islam, and Islamic jurisprudence is the principal source of legislation.
2 - Freedom of belief is protected. The State respects all divine religions and guarantees the freedom to perform all their rituals, provided that this does not disturb public order.
3. The personal status of religious sects is protected and respected in accordance with the law....
Article 10 – Equality
Citizens are equal before the law in rights and duties, without discrimination based on race, religion, gender or lineage....
Article 13 – Expression, privacy, movement
1. The State guarantees freedom of opinion, expression, information, publication and the press....
