Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Supporters Document Preaching Campaigns In Which Hundreds Of Syrian Women Don Veil; Tell Secularists 'Die In Your Rage'

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January 28, 2025

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In recent days, supporters of Syrian jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) have reported and documented preaching campaigns run by Idlib-based women in various parts of Syria which had been under the control of the Assad regime, in which Salafi garb was distributed to hundreds of women who committed to begin wearing it. Posters were also hung in Damascus suburbs explaining the type of clothing acceptable for women, according to Salafi teachings.

Hundreds Of Women Begin Wearing Salafi Garb In Hama Countryside

On January 23, 2025, Gazan-born Syria-based jihadi cleric Al-Zubayr Abu 'Abd Al-Rahman Al-Ghazzi shared a photoset showing women wearing the niqab as well as a group of young girls in headscarves gathered in a mosque. Al-Ghazzi reported that on the previous day, "hundreds of sisters wore the shari'a-based hijab [i.e. the full face veil and gloves worn by Salafi women] for the first time in their lives" in the countryside north of Hama." He added that at locals' request, "large women's meetings" were held in the area, and "hundreds of women committed to wearing the full shari'a-based hijab, observing their prayers, obeying Allah, and raising their children and families according to what Allah commands in our great religion."[1]

Hundreds More Committed To The Veil In Al-Qusayr

Al-Ghazzi shared another photoset showing a group of men in a mosque and groups of women wearing the niqab and headscarves in the street, and reported on another preaching tour in Al-Qusayr, in Homs governorate near the Lebanese border. Describing the town as "deserted and destroyed for the past ten years," the preaching team noted that most of its residents had returned recently from Lebanon, where they had been refugees fleeing from the "massacres" perpetrated by "the Nusayris, Rafidites, [pejorative terms for Alawites and Shi'ites] and Assad militia," claiming that "preaching was like water after thirst for them." Hundreds of sets of "shari'a dress" were distributed in the town, with 50 students from one institute putting on "full shari'a dress." Men and women delivered "shari'a lectures and sermons" in Al-Qusayr's mosques, streets, and public gatherings.[2]

240 Women Begin Veiling Themselves In Hama

Sharing a blurred photo of a group of veiled women, Al-Ghazzi reported that after previous da'wah [preaching] campaigns, "hundreds of sisters who wanted to wear the shari'a-based hijab" contact the "brothers" in charge of a da'wah team and committed to wearing the "full shari'a-based hijab for the first time." Meeting at the 'Abd Al-Rahman bin 'Awf Mosque in Hama, 240 women put on the niqab, while "promising before Allah to never take it off afterwards."[3]

Commenting on the photo, pro-HTS Telegram channels wrote: "To the advocates of secularism, die in your rage."[4]

200 Sets Of Salafi Garb Distributed In Preaching Tour In Aleppo

Also on January 23, Al-Ghazzi shared photos of women wearing the niqab and headscarves, adding a written "report by the women's da'wah team in Aleppo" which claimed distribution of about 200 sets of "shari'a dress" to women in the city's Sayf Al-Dawlah neighborhood on that day.[5]

The team reported that a "da'wah tour" had begun in Aleppo governorate, run by 13 "sisters" and about 30 "brothers" working as preachers. Arriving in Aleppo before noon, the team of women headed for the Aaminah Mosque in the Sayf Al-Dawlah neighborhood, where they prayed the voluntary duha [morning] prayer in the women's section. After the team spoke with several women in attendance, some of the "adorned" ones [i.e. dressing in a way that does not conform to Salafi norms] "were offered advice and clothed in shari'a dress after they expressed their desire to wear it." A few of them expressed having "badly wanted to wear shari'a dress in the past, but not being able to," and "their hearts were filled with joy at wearing it."

They then prayed the zuhr [noontime] prayer and Quran recitation groups assembled in the women's prayer area. A "da'wah lesson" was delivered on the topics of "thanking Allah for His blessings," "the Islamic duties pertaining to the woman and her role in building Islamic society … and a Muslim woman's pride in her identity," followed by a discussion of "the duty to commit to shari'a dress and the sin and guilt of the adorned woman," as well as the importance of praying regularly. The team claimed the lecture was well-received and that "a large number of sisters put on hijab." The team then took the telephone number of a female supervisor of the mosque to coordinate future events with her, and sat with her and with some female teachers to "check on their welfare and plant the spirit of friendship and affection for the sake of Allah," informing them of "meetings and da'wah lectures" planned for the coming days and encouraging neighborhood women to attend.

Next, the team headed for the Sayf Al-Dawlah market, "one of the largest markets in Aleppo," where they split into four groups to preach to women one-on-one. The report claimed the activity was well-received, although "some sisters refused the da'wah while others accepted it." Eighty women put on "shari'a dress" for the first time and "promised Allah that they would not take it off," despite the "presence of much adornment" in the marketplace.

Returning to the mosque before the maghreb [sunset] prayer, the team held additional Quran recitation sessions for women and another "da'wah address." Salafi garb was distributed to another 70 women, who "put it on with love and desire." The mosque's female supervisor, Quran teachers, and many students donned the clothing and promised to continue wearing it. After the maghreb prayer, they listened to a speech by a sheikh, and then returned to Idlib.

600 Sets Of Salafi Garb Distributed In "Preaching Raid" In Eastern Ghouta

On January 26, Al-Ghazzi shared another photoset showing women in the niqab and crowds of women and girls in headscarves listening to a speech by veiled women. He shared a "report by the women's da'wah team in the Eastern Ghouta" about a two-day "da'wah raid in the Eastern Ghouta and Damascus," noting that on January 24, the team of female preachers left Idlib for the Damascus area, where they prayed the zuhr and 'asr [afternoon] prayers.[6]

 

About 170 women attended the first meeting in the Damascus suburb of Kafr Batna, which included Quran recitation, a lecture about "obedience and following the Prophet," a nashid-singing session, a speech about "supporting our people in Gaza," and an address about "covering and modesty," following which the team distributed "shari'a dress" to about 150 women.

On the following day, the team held a meeting in a mosque in Zabdeen, in the Eastern Ghouta. Claiming that the mosque filled up with women, forcing some of the crowd to remain outside, the team reported that about 210 pledged to veil themselves: "The sight inside the mosque was awesome, so that we saw only the old women not wearing niqab. But [the veiled women's] black shone with light and chastity. The blessed black covered all interior and exterior sections of the mosque, praise to Allah."

 

Continuing to Al-Mulayahah, the team from Idlib was greeted by the women behind a local Quranic institute. Claiming that the lectures were well-received because "chastity is rooted in [a woman's] nature," the report declared: "Praise to Allah who removed the tyrant so that the sisters can return to their garb which they like." More than 250 women in Al-Mulayahah between the ages of 15 and 35 committed to "shari'a dress," some of them taking the clothing from the bus as the team was about to leave.

In total, 600 sets of "shari'a dress" were distributed over the two days.

Posters Hung In Damascus Suburb Detail Conditions Of Women's Dress

On January 21, the "Kawalis Suriya" [Backstage Syria] Telegram channel shared photos of posters being hung in the Damascus suburb of Harasta, detailing "the conditions of the shari'a-based hijab." According to the posters, the "hijab of a Muslim woman" must cover the entire body and not resemble clothing of men or of non-Muslim women. It must also not be tight, perfumed, transparent, decorated, or draw attention.[7]

 

Counter-Poster Encourages Women To Dress As They Please

The campaigns to encourage Syrian women to wear the niqab have not passed without opposition. Syrian journalist Humam 'Isa shared photos of a poster hung in Damascus by unknown individuals depicting a young woman in pants and a T-shirt printed with the new Syrian flag , with her hair uncovered. Mocking posters detailing the conditions of the "shari'a-based hijab," it declares: "We have received freedom for everyone. My dear, choose whatever clothes you wish in free Syria." Titled "the dress of the free woman," it details "conditions of free dress," telling women that their clothing should not be imposed on them, should please them and make them feel comfortable, express their personality, be worn "by your full choice and will," and above all, "should be what you want."[8]

Al-Ghazzi had been a religious judge for the HTS military wing and spearheaded campaigns raising funds for mujahideen in Syria and more recently, for Gazans. After his involvement in protests against HTS, the group imprisoned him for several weeks in June-July 2024.[9]

Syria-based jihadi preachers and Al-Qaeda supporters have declared that the fall of the Assad regime presents an opportunity for mujahideen to preach to Syrians in areas previously controlled by the regime.[10] While the new HTS-linked Syrian administration has not imposed a dress code on women, the HTS-linked Head of Women's Affairs, Aisha Al-Debs – who wears a headscarf – stressed that only feminist organizations that "support the model that we are going to build" would be welcome in Syria, adding that she would not welcome those who do not agree with her views.[11]

 

 

[1] Telegram.me/jah_ed, January 23, 2025.

[2] Telegram.me/jah_ed, January 23, 2025.

[3] Telegram.me/jah_ed, January 23, 2025.

[4] Telegram.me/Qatada23, January 23, 2025.

[5] Telegram.me/jah_ed, January 23, 2025.

[6] Telegram.me/jah_ed, January 26, 2025.

[7] Telegram.me/backstage_24, January 21, 2025.

[8] Telegram.me/HammamIssa, January 23, 2025.


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