Syria's New Curriculum Replaces Secularism with Islamic Identity
What happened
A report reviewing 130 Syrian school textbooks found that the administration of Ahmed al-Sharaa has substantially replaced Baathist and secular governance frameworks with Sunni-Muslim identity and political Islamism. The analysis, which used standards derived from UNESCO, showed that local loyalty is subordinated to the broader transnational Muslim community. Historical narratives have also been revised to reflect this theological reorientation.
From jpost.com
Why it matters
The shift in national identity and educational framing represents a structural transformation in how national identity is presented in Syria. This ideological reorientation under Ahmed al-Sharaa could influence the country's long-term political direction and stability.
Ahmed al-Sharaa took the presidency of Syria amid widespread protests in Damascus and Idlib after Bashar al-Assad was ousted.
From jpost.com
Who's involved
- Ahmed al-SharaaPresident of Syria, whose administration implemented the curriculum changes.
- SyriaThe geopolitical state where the curriculum changes were implemented.
- UNESCOThe intergovernmental agency whose standards were used to review the textbooks.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- SyriaSpeculative
The country might see changes in its investment climate due to the fundamental shift in national ideology.
Possible ripples
Who this could reach next, traced step by step from the reporting. Possibilities worth considering, not forecasts.- Syrian curriculum shift may influence Saudi Arabia's regional strategySyrian curriculum shift may influence Saudi Arabia's regional strategyPossible
- Syria's radical curriculum shift complicates reconstruction talks with MacronSyria's radical curriculum shift complicates reconstruction talks with MacronPossible
- How could the ideological shift in Syria's curriculum affect António Guterres?Syria's new curriculum challenges UN efforts to promote peace and tolerancePossible
- Syria's new curriculum challenges UNESCO's principles of toleranceThe shift toward political Islamism challenges UNESCO's principles of tolerance in SyriaPossible
Keep exploring
Part of
Bashar al-Assad has been ousted as Syria's ruler, with Ahmed al-Sharaa taking the presidency amid widespread protests in Damascus and Idlib.Also in this story
- Talib Abdul Karim Hassan ended Bashar Al Assad's five decades of rule, amid strikes in Tartus.
- Protests have erupted across several cities in Syria, including Raqqa, al-Bab, Hasakah, and Azaz, while demonstrators continue to protest in the Idlib countryside.
- FSA factions clashed in Idlib while widespread protests followed the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
- Ahmed al-Sharaa leads institutional change in Syria as a new parliament begins abolishing structures of the former regime.
The entities involved
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Ahmed al-Sharaa
President of Syria since 2025
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Syria
country in West Asia
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UNESCO
specialised agency of the United Nations for education, sciences, and culture