In Syria , a newly approved constitution says that only Muslims can be president . Sami Moubayed : Despite their support for the regime , Christians ca n't run for president . He says while the government is pressured to stipulate this rule , it 's bad politics . However , Syria 's new constitution explicitly says in Article 3 that the president of the country has to be a Muslim , thereby barring Christians from the right to run for the top post . The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 20 people were killed in Damascus on Friday when security forces opened fire on protesters who had gathered outside the presidential palace and clashed with police. Many Syrians want a constitution that treat Muslims and Christians fairly .
In Syria , a newly approved constitution says that only Muslims can be president . Sami Moubayed : Despite their support for the regime , Christians ca n't run for president . He says while the government is pressured to stipulate this rule , it 's bad politics . The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 20 people were killed in Damascus on Friday when security forces opened fire on protesters who had gathered outside the presidential palace and clashed with police. Many Syrians want a constitution that treat Muslims and Christians fairly .