DAMASCUS — The governor of Damascus issued a decree Sunday banning the provision of alcoholic beverages of all kinds in restaurants and nightclubs across the capital. Crowds of Syrians rallied the same day to protest authorities' efforts to limit the sale and consumption of alcohol in Damascus.

Hundreds of residents from various religious sects participated in the protest in a grassy square in Bab Touma, a Christian neighborhood in Damascus. Protesters chanted "Syrians are united!" while heavily armed security forces surrounded them at the demonstration. The demonstration passed without incident.

The decree requires restaurants to remove their wine lists and nightclub and bar owners to exchange their licenses for café permits within three months. Authorities said the decree was made at the request of the local community. The decree allows alcohol to be sold in three predominantly Christian neighborhoods in Damascus: Bab Touma, al-Qassaa, and Bab Sharqi. However, establishments in these neighborhoods are prohibited from serving alcohol on site and may sell alcohol only in sealed take-away bottles.

Vendors must keep at least 75 meters (246 feet) away from mosques and schools, and 20 meters (65 feet) away from police stations and government offices. Damascus authorities issued a statement apologizing to the city's Christian population for any misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the decision. The authorities' statement clarified that hotels would be exempt from the alcohol restrictions.

"This is not about whether we want to drink alcohol, this is about personal freedom," said Isa Qazah, a sculptor, at the protest. Fawaz Bahauddin Khawja, a lawyer, questioned the restrictions on specific neighborhoods. "How are our neighborhoods violating public etiquette? The division this creates is unfair and irresponsible," Khawja said.

"This is the real face of Damascus. The only flag we raise is the Syrian flag," Khawja added. In the authorities' statement, officials said, "This decision does not interfere with citizens' personal freedoms." The statement also noted, "The regulation of alcohol sales exists in all countries, with differences in how it's applied and enforced."

President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Islamist rebel, has not publicly weighed in on the alcohol restrictions. Al-Sharaa's interim government faced growing pressure from hard-liners to impose more conservative religious values. Al-Sharaa vowed to unite the country and respect pluralism after being named interim president and has not imposed social restrictions since taking office.

Under Bashar Assad's family dynasty, Syrians had limited civic and political freedoms but were allowed to drink alcohol, party at nightclubs, and choose their attire freely. Syria had experienced 14 years of civil war and five decades of dictatorship. Assad is a member of the Alawite religious minority.