Relations with the State In Syria, Islam is not the state religion. The country is secular, which ensures equality for members of other religions. Christians can buy land and build churches. Clerics are exempt from military service and schools provide Christian and Muslim religious instruction. Unlike other Arab countries, Syria represses Muslim fundamentalism.
Christians support the government that guarantees their survival.
Rural Christians are constantly moving to the cities, because of Muslim pressure and of lack of structures. They follow the full Sunna, sayings of Mohammed as handed down by his companions, and obey the Grand Mufti, elected for life. Alawi Muslims , today 1,800,000, are followers of Aly, Mohammed's son-in law. They are considered heretics by Muslim theologians. Contact with Crusaders led to syncretism to the point that they celebrate Christmas, Epiphany and Pentecost.