Conversion to Shi'ism in al-Suwayda': Interview

One of the main controversies surrounding the question of Iranian and Hezbollah influence in the primarily Druze province of al-Suwayda’ in southern Syria is the issue of alleged conversion of some locals to Twelver Shi‘i Islam. Although the Druze religion is ultimately an offshoot of the broader Shi‘i Islam, conversion to other religions is generally frowned upon because it is seen as a demographic threat to the Druze community and its identity, particularly since being Druze requires that one’s parents be Druze and the community does not accept converts.

In addition, for those Druze in al-Suwayda’ who are opposed to the current Syrian government, conversion to Twelver Shi‘i Islam in particular is seen as a way of cementing the influence of the government and its allies (Iran and Hezbollah) in the province. The controversy surrounding conversion to Twelver Shi‘i Islam in province dates back many years, with a sample illustration below (from someone I knew who at the time was a member of the Rijal al-Karama movement, and committed suicide in 2018 after killing a girl).

Recently, Quwat Shaykh al-Karama (“Forces of the Shaykh of Dignity”) and al-Quwa al-Mahalliya fi al-Suwayda’ (“The Local Forces in al-Suwayda’”)- two local factions in al-Suwayda’ opposed to the Syrian government- shared an intriguing statement warning of supposed Iranian plans to expand conversion to Shi‘ism. To quote the statement as issued by Quwat Shaykh al-Karama: