Author: Vision & Global Trends – 27/05/2025
Ethnic and Religious Diversity in Syria
Sapienza University of Rome June 1 2 , 2025
Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 , Facoltà di Lettere, Auletta di archeologia 15.00 – 19.30
Before 1918 , Syria was part of the Ottoman Empire, where the Sultan also held the title of Caliph, the political and religious successor to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The abolition of the Caliphate by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1924 marked a turning point in the history of the Muslim world.
After gaining independence in 1946 , Syria saw the rise of various political movements, including communists, the Muslim Brotherhood, Arab nationalists, and Syrian nationalists. In 1963 , the Arab nationalist Ba‘ th party came to power, promoting an Arab identity reinforced through state mechanisms such as the press, public institutions, schools, and the Constitution.
The protests that began in 2011 against the al Assad regime led to the emergence of numerous political and military groups, ranging from jihadist organizations to peaceful political movements. During this period, extremist Islamist groups carried out attacks against Syria’s cultural heritage.
A pivotal moment in Syria’s current history occurred on December 8, 2024 , with the fall of the al Assad regime. This event has ushered in a period of profound political transformation, raising urgent questions about the future of Syria’s governance, social fabric, and cultural identity.
This conference aims to explore the ideological positions of various political and religious groups in Syria and their impact on ethnic and religious minorities. We will examine how national identity is constructed and whether it is inclusive or exclusive towards minorities. Key questions include:
How are minorities represented in the national identity?
What role do they play in the Constitution, textbooks, press, and cultural heritage?
How might recent political changes affect the status and rights of ethnic and religious groups in Syria?
Introduction
Marco Ramazzotti, Sapienza University of Rome
Syria. Ethnic and Religious Groups Map and Post-Baath Era – Ahmed Fatima Kzzo, Sapienza University of Rome
Il richiamo alla storia antica nella Nation-Building degli Stati del Mediterraneo – Umberto Livadiotti, Guglielmo Marconi University
The Presence of Ethnic and Religious Groups in the Syrian Curricula Nebras Dalloul, Independent Researcher in Political Science
Break
The Jews of Aleppo: A Once-Integrated Community That is No More – Abraham Marcus, University of Texas
Communities, Nationalism(s), and Cultural Heritage: Lessons from Neighboring Iraq – Helen Malko, Stanford University
Il patrimonio culturale come forza trainante per superare lo scontro di civiltà – Tiberio Graziani, Chairman of Vision & Global Trends. International Institute for Global Analyses
Kurdish Citizenship in Syria: Cultural and Social Perspectives a Century after the Founding of the State Ghiath Rammo, University of Roma Tre
Organizers : Marco Ramazzotti, Ahmed Fatima Kzzo and Ghiath Rammo
Link ZOOM – https://uniroma1.zoom.us/j/83789023732?pwd=PzHSeMwh4GgpzahALgLZJv2YvCjNYx.1
