Treatment of Ismaili Muslims; restrictions on their ability to practice their religion in the country; whether they are discriminated against in the area of employment, particularly employment with government departments; and whether there are any religious restrictions or faith beliefs that prevent Ismailis from performing military service obligations [SYR40816.E]

In November 2001, the Imam and spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, Aga Khan, made an eight-day visit to Syria that included discussions with the Syrian President, Bashir Al-Assad (East Africa Standard 14 Nov. 2001). During the visit a framework development agreement between the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and Syria was signed to "facilitate the effective functioning and optimum utilisation of human and financial resources that the AKDN would mobilize for Syria" (ibid.). The visit also included discussions with the government about initiatives that the AKDN intends to launch in Syria, including "investment in information technology for education, support for the healthcare system through assistance to hospitals, strengthening of resources in the area of early childhood development and providing expertise for water resource management" (ibid.). The Syrian Prime Minister "pledged the commitment of the Syrian government to provide AKDN with whatever assistance it needed to realise development objectives of mutual importance to Syria and the Network" (ibid.).

Further information on the treatment of Ismaili Muslims and restrictions on their ability to practice their religion in Syria could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

According to the World Directory of Minorities, "[a]lthough a number of Isma'ilis continue to enjoy senior posts in government, they have been carefully excluded from substantive power. Isma'ilis in Salamiya have advanced economically much faster than those in Masyaf" (1997, 375).

More recent information on whether Ismailis are discriminated against in the area of employment with government departments could not be found among sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

Information on whether there are any religious restrictions or faith beliefs that prevent Ismailis from performing military service obligations could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, making a general reference to Islam, The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World indicates that

... The doctrine of jihad, or holy war, affirms that the true faith can be spread by conquest as well as conversion; "commander of the faithful" (amir al-mu'minin) was one of the titles of the caliphs; and the territories ruled by Muslims and the regions beyond their borders were referred to, respectively, as the "house of Islam" (dar al-Islam) and the "house of war" (dar-al-harb) (1995, 102-103).

According to The Encyclopaedia of Islam, "[t]he embryo of an army may be said to have appeared with Islam in the expeditions led or prepared by the Prophet, although the djihad at this stage was the duty of all able-bodied Muslims. ... [I]n principle all able-bodied Muslims could be summoned to the djihad" (1991, 504).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


East African Standard. 14 November 2001. "Kenya: Aga Khan, Syria Sign Pact." (Africa News/NEXIS)

The Encyclopaedia of Islam. 1991. Vol. II. Edited by B. Lewis, Ch. Pellat and J. Schacht. "Djaysh." Leiden, The Netherlands: E.J. Brill.

The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World. 1995. Vol. 3. Edited by John L. Esposito. "Military Forces." Oxford: University Press.

World Directory of Minorities. 1997. Edited by Minority Rights Group. London: Minority Rights Group International.

Additional Sources Consulted


Countries of the World and Their Leaders Yearbook 2003

The Encyclopedia of Religion

The Institute of Ismaili Studies, in London, UK, did not respond to a letter requesting information within time constraints.

World News Connection

Internet sites, including:

Amnesty International

Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2001

Freedom in the World Report 2001/2002

Human Rights Watch World Report 2003

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