Protests have taken place in Damascus following the issuance of a decree by the governor appointed by the Islamist government, Maher Marwan, which mandates the cessation of alcohol sales in restaurants and bars within three months. Authorities claim that the decision to curb alcohol sales is based on requests from local residents, implying a push for stricter adherence to cultural and religious values. The decree also allows alcohol to be sold for takeaway in three predominantly Christian areas of the city but imposes strict distance regulations from mosques, schools, police stations, and government institutions.

Demonstrators have voiced their concerns about the potential erosion of civil liberties under the Syrian regime, feeling that such restrictions represent a broader trend towards limiting personal freedoms. The protests come in the wake of previous government edicts that impose dress codes on public beaches and banning cosmetics for women working in government institutions, pointing towards an increasing trend of state control over personal and cultural expressions.

The implications of this decree extend beyond just the alcohol industry; it raises questions about freedom of expression and religious tolerance in Syria. The backlash from the public suggests a significant resistance to governmental overreach and potentially highlights the tensions within the society between traditional values and a desire for personal freedoms amidst an increasingly authoritarian political landscape.