The Syrian regime is known as a Baathist secular regime that has tried to create an inclusive Syrian national identity consecrated by an Arab nationalist Baathist ideology that is immunized by socialism and secularism. The regime intended for this identity to be inclusive and shared by all components of the Syrian people and prevail over the sectarian divisions seen in Syria in previous eras — especially during the French Mandate, when the French established two states: one for Alawites and another for Druze in other parts of the country.

The regime led by late President Hafez al-Assad mainly relied, to consolidate its rule, on Alawites enlisted in the army and security services and employed in some administrations as well as within the Baath Party. However, the regime dealt with sectarianism in the country with extreme sensitivity and took into account the fact that Sunni Muslims are the majority of the Syrian population. Moreover, Hafez al-Assad used to say he was of the Shafi'i madhhab, the religious sect of the majority in Syria, and his son Bashar is also keen to attend prayers at public events, according to the Shafi'i doctrine.

A well-informed Lebanese source told Al-Monitor that when Hafez al-Assad's mother Naasa died, the president of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams al-Din, wanted to lead the funeral prayer, but Hafez told him that his mother was a Sunni Shafi'i. Some said that this was a sign of piousness and a formality to please the Sunnis, yet such a move shows the keenness of the Syrian regime during Assad’s reign to take into account this sectarian sensitivity, despite the secularism of the regime, the party and the family.

Another Shiite Lebanese source informed Al-Monitor that the Syrian authorities have tightened control over some Lebanese Shiite clerics who tried to spread Twelver Shiism among Alawites in Syria during the years preceding the Syrian crisis. This measure attests to the regime’s caution in dealing with sectarian sensitivities and its utmost concern to prevent the spread of religious extremist groups.