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Index / Religions
  Syria /
Religions
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*) Alawism has all traces of being an independent religious system, but has received official confirmation of belonging to Islam.
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Muslims represent by far the majority of Syria's population, and is dominated by the Sunni branch. The Alawites are considered Muslims, although their faith differs strongly from Sunni and Shi'i. Syria's Shi'is belong to the Twelver branch.
The Druze have a substantial community in Syria, a group usually not considered to be Muslims. As a matter of fact, the Druze of Syria outnumber the Druze community of Lebanon.
Another faith is Isma'ilism, which often is classified as part of Islam. Although much of its origins can be traced back to Islam, it represents today an entirely different faith, and fits all classifications of being an independent religion.
One of eleven Syrians are Christians, and the high number of different orientations here tell clearly about the complexities of Syrian history. Among the churches found in Syria are Greek Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic (which is organized between a number of sub-churches: Armenian, Chaldean, Latin, Maronite, Melkite and Syrian), Anglican and Protestant. The largest of these are the Syrian Orthodox and the Roman Catholic.
Syria also has a tiny group of Yazidis, who live near the border to Iraq, near the town of Sinjar. A small group of Jews live in Damascus.
© Copyright 1996-2009 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
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