Sectarian Targeting Expands Beyond Coastal Areas... Discriminatory Practices Reach Damascus
The discriminatory practices in the heart of the Syrian capital confirm the continuation of an approach that entrenches societal divisions instead of addressing them through fair distribution of power
April 15, 2025, 10:09 pm

Sectarian Targeting Expands Beyond Coastal Areas... Discriminatory Practices Reach Damascus

The scope of discriminatory practices is expanding beyond coastal areas to reach the heart of the capital Damascus, where activists from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights revealed that "non-Syrian" elements affiliated with the Defense and Interior Ministries in the Damascus government have set up a temporary security checkpoint during evening hours inside Al-Huda Square in the Mazzeh area.

Sources reported that those manning the checkpoint examine the identities of passersby and direct inquiries specifically related to their sectarian affiliation, amid information about detentions of civilians from the Alawite component immediately after confirming their identities.

These behaviors have caused feelings of panic and anxiety among members of the Alawite component residing in the area, with many young people avoiding going out at night for fear of being detained or harassed because of their sectarian affiliation.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights warned of the dangers of such discriminatory practices spreading in areas considered among the most sensitive neighborhoods of the capital, emphasizing that the continued infiltration of non-Syrian groups into security apparatus and authority increases societal division and threatens the Syrian national fabric, calling for an end to these violations and holding those responsible accountable without discrimination.

Analysts believe that these phenomena confirm the urgent need to adopt a constitution in Syria's future that guarantees equal rights for all Syrian components, prevents any party's domination over others, and distributes powers fairly between regions and territories.

Field reports indicate that discriminatory practices contradict the official discourse of Syria's interim caretaker government, which claims to work toward achieving stability and protecting all components, deepening the trust crisis between citizens and the new authorities.

Legal experts confirm that targeting citizens based on their sectarian affiliation constitutes a flagrant violation of citizenship principles and human rights, contradicting international standards that prohibit all forms of discrimination. They stress the necessity of establishing effective monitoring mechanisms over security agencies to ensure they are not exploited in arbitrary practices against any component of Syrian society.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”