Syria
Ahmed al-Qurabi, member of the committee that drafted Syria's interim constitution, speaks to Rudaw on March 15, 2025.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A member of the committee that drafted Syria’s interim constitution said that a centralized authority was needed to restore order and stability after decades of dictatorship and war, and that concerns about specific controversial provisions in the document can be revisited once when a permanent constitution is drafted.
Challenges such as a proliferation of weapons, multiple military factions, and the reconstruction of the Ministry of Defense, necessitate a "central leadership" to ensure the continuity of the Syrian state, Ahmad al-Qurabi told Rudaw.
"Syria is in a desperate need of national consensus," Qurabi said, stressing the importance of focusing on state institutions first. "We are trying to build the foundations of the state now, and later, we can discuss issues like decentralization and other political arrangements."
The temporary constitution, signed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Thursday, places an emphasis on Islamic jurisprudence, stipulates that Syria's president must be Muslim, and sets a five-year transitional period. It has been widely criticized by ethnic and religious groups, particularly Kurdish and Christian communities who say they are marginalized and too much power is consolidated in the executive branch. Critics also argue that the framework fails to lay the foundation for truly democratic rule in Syria.
In response to these concerns, Qurabi said that the drafting committee has intentionally avoided altering the existing legal and political structures at this stage. "We wanted to avoid problematic issues that could create confusion and deepen divisions," he explained. "The priority right now is to ensure the unity of Syria and build state institutions, not to address sensitive issues that could create more tension among different components of the population."
The declaration’s stipulation that the president must be Muslim is historically consistent with Syria's constitutions dating back to 1920. Qurabi defended this provision, stating, "In the majority of countries, the religious affiliation of the leader has been a matter of tradition and specific legal frameworks. This does not contradict the principle of citizenship or democracy." He said that while the leader must be Muslim, the rights of other religious groups are not compromised.
On the issue of ethnic and cultural rights, particularly concerning the Kurdish community, Qurabi said that the committee has not disregarded the cultural, linguistic, or national rights of the Kurds. "We have not denied these rights," he said. "What we are trying to do is focus on building the state’s institutions first, and once that is achieved, we can discuss these matters in the future."
Addressing the accountability of the president, Qurabi said that the new system envisions equal treatment for all citizens, including the president. "The president will be held accountable under the same laws as any Syrian citizen," he stated. "If a crime is committed, the Syrian judiciary will prosecute the president like any other individual."
Finally, regarding decentralization, which has raised concerns given Syria’s fragmented political and economic landscape, Qurabi pointed out that the country is still in a transitional phase. "Syria is not yet stable," he said. "In this transitional period, our focus must be on preserving the state and rebuilding its institutions before moving toward a fully democratic system."
Once the institutions are established and stability returns, Qurabi suggested that political parties could be formed, and public space could be opened for discussions. "For now, preserving the unity of the Syrian state is the priority," he said.
Challenges such as a proliferation of weapons, multiple military factions, and the reconstruction of the Ministry of Defense, necessitate a "central leadership" to ensure the continuity of the Syrian state, Ahmad al-Qurabi told Rudaw.
"Syria is in a desperate need of national consensus," Qurabi said, stressing the importance of focusing on state institutions first. "We are trying to build the foundations of the state now, and later, we can discuss issues like decentralization and other political arrangements."
The temporary constitution, signed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Thursday, places an emphasis on Islamic jurisprudence, stipulates that Syria's president must be Muslim, and sets a five-year transitional period. It has been widely criticized by ethnic and religious groups, particularly Kurdish and Christian communities who say they are marginalized and too much power is consolidated in the executive branch. Critics also argue that the framework fails to lay the foundation for truly democratic rule in Syria.
In response to these concerns, Qurabi said that the drafting committee has intentionally avoided altering the existing legal and political structures at this stage. "We wanted to avoid problematic issues that could create confusion and deepen divisions," he explained. "The priority right now is to ensure the unity of Syria and build state institutions, not to address sensitive issues that could create more tension among different components of the population."
The declaration’s stipulation that the president must be Muslim is historically consistent with Syria's constitutions dating back to 1920. Qurabi defended this provision, stating, "In the majority of countries, the religious affiliation of the leader has been a matter of tradition and specific legal frameworks. This does not contradict the principle of citizenship or democracy." He said that while the leader must be Muslim, the rights of other religious groups are not compromised.
On the issue of ethnic and cultural rights, particularly concerning the Kurdish community, Qurabi said that the committee has not disregarded the cultural, linguistic, or national rights of the Kurds. "We have not denied these rights," he said. "What we are trying to do is focus on building the state’s institutions first, and once that is achieved, we can discuss these matters in the future."
Addressing the accountability of the president, Qurabi said that the new system envisions equal treatment for all citizens, including the president. "The president will be held accountable under the same laws as any Syrian citizen," he stated. "If a crime is committed, the Syrian judiciary will prosecute the president like any other individual."
Finally, regarding decentralization, which has raised concerns given Syria’s fragmented political and economic landscape, Qurabi pointed out that the country is still in a transitional phase. "Syria is not yet stable," he said. "In this transitional period, our focus must be on preserving the state and rebuilding its institutions before moving toward a fully democratic system."
Once the institutions are established and stability returns, Qurabi suggested that political parties could be formed, and public space could be opened for discussions. "For now, preserving the unity of the Syrian state is the priority," he said.
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