Turkish occupation ideology: Fueling divisions, sectarian strife

Amid the security vacuum in Syrian provinces following the collapse of the Ba’athist regime, there has been a surge in violations against religious communities, including the destruction and desecration of their sacred sites. These violations have been accompanied by acts of revenge, looting, kidnapping, and other forms of violence.

 In response to this deteriorating situation, the communities of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh have emphasized the need to adopt the Democratic Nation project as a means to overcome discrimination and racism—factors that risk deepening the Syrian crisis and fueling a full-scale civil war.

 Sheikh Ismail Maksour, the member of the religious institution and the imam of the Grand Sheikh Maqsoud Mosque, condemned these violations as fundamentally incompatible with Islamic principles. "Our country is in a state of chaos, and people are being killed in the name of Islam, a religion that calls for noble ethics and forbids wrongdoing. Islam is innocent of their crimes," he stated.

 He further elaborated: "Islam is a universal religion, not exclusive to Arabs or Kurds. There is no superiority of one ethnicity over another except through righteousness. Islam does not sanction intentional killing, nor does it incite sedition or justify attacks on people's property and sanctities, as some states and leaders do."

 Sheikh Ismail stressed that Islam, as preached by the Prophet, is far removed from the actions of extremist groups claiming to act in its name. "True Islam unites Kurds and Arabs, as well as all other religious groups. We oppose the divisions plaguing our country today. If we want to end the fighting and sectarian strife in Syria, we must unite."

 He highlighted a successful model of coexistence, saying: "In our small neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, Arabs, Kurds, Christians, Yazidis, and Armenians live together in harmony, away from sectarian conflicts. We do not want discord—neither here nor in Syria as a whole."

 The Co-Chair of the Yazidi House, Roshen Mousa, condemned Turkey’s continued attacks on NE Syria, particularly targeting Tishrin Dam and Qara Qozak, as part of a broader strategy of demographic change and ethnic cleansing.

 She pointed to the resilience of local populations: "The people’s unwavering support for the Syrian Democratic Forces in defending Tishrin Dam is a testament to the resistance for dignity. Despite direct strikes from Turkish warplanes and drones. No one can suppress the aspirations of those who seek democracy and freedom."

 She further added, "Turkey is planting discord among Syria’s diverse communities. We see massacres against Alawites and other religious groups on the Syrian coast. They want to impose a distorted version of Islam on Syrians, which reflects the Turkish state's ideology."

 Roshen emphasized that the Autonomous Administration project is the key to ending sectarian violence: "Everyone now recognizes that this project is the only guarantee to prevent massacres and protect the existence of all communities. It is the path to liberating people from oppression."

 Hevin Mousa, the member of the Relations Committee of the Kongra Star Movement, who is of Alawite background, reiterated that Syrians must confront Turkey’s colonial policies. "Turkey has a long history of suppressing peoples and curtailing freedoms. Today, it continues to support mercenaries to occupy Syrian land. Its ultimate goal is to resurrect the Ottoman Empire through violence and intimidation."

 Shevin called on Turkey to cease its interference in Syria's internal affairs. "We in Syria are a diverse mosaic of ethnicities and religions. Yet, Turkey is sowing discord among us, promoting violence through psychological warfare. It must stop its destructive policies."

 She concluded by reaffirming that the Autonomous Administration project offers the best framework for peaceful coexistence. "We have a clear ideology based on justice and equality for all components of society."

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ANHA