The true intentions of the al-Sharaa regime remain, at present, an enigma. It is difficult, if not impossible, to predict how the regime under his leadership will act in the future once it has consolidated its power. As part of our efforts to unravel this “intentions enigma”, we seek to identify indications pointing in one direction or another that may contribute to our understanding of the regime’s future course.
Recently, we published a report assessing the updated curriculum (2024–2026) of the “Dar al-Wahi al-Sharif” (دار الوحي الشريف) school network, which is affiliated with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and has since been incorporated into the official education system of Syria’s new regime. We will mention that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is the founder and former leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.
Although Dar al-Wahi al-Sharif remains a relatively small educational network compared with Syria’s public education system, it currently serves several thousand students across approximately 70–80 educational institutions nationwide. Nevertheless, it represents the al-Sharaa regime’s flagship educational network – its principal educational project. Its expansion has been rapid, and we assess that its growth trajectory is likely to continue.
To our understanding, “Dar al-Wahi al-Sharif” is the next major development within the Syrian education system, and over time (with the regime’s backing and active promotion) it will become a significant shaping instrument for Syria’s future generation.
Since coming to power, the al-Sharaa regime has steadily strengthened its position. At the same time, there has been no meaningful sign of moderation toward Israel. The composition of the regime’s key personnel, particularly its military commanders, together with public discourse and other relevant indicators, suggests the potential continuation of an extremist Islamist ideological orientation.
The “Dar al-Wahi al-Sharif” network should be viewed as one manifestation of this broader trend.
It should be recalled that, as part of our previously published research, we examined all 65 official textbooks and workbooks used by the educational network, spanning kindergarten through sixth grade. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of the network’s educational materials currently available.
Throughout the research, we identified ideological content and messages promoting Islamist, jihadist, and anti-Israeli indoctrination, embedded “between the lines” of the textbooks.
The research presented several illustrative examples, including the portrayal of Israel as an “enemy” and the denial of its legitimacy as part of the territory of Bilad al-Sham (“Greater Syria”), the portrayal of Jews and Christians as Islam’s eternal religious enemies, and the glorification of armed jihad.
