SYRIA: Christians strive for equal rights
Church leaders in Syria are working closely with the new leadership to ensure that religious freedom will be guaranteed and Christians will be able to play a full role in the country’s future.
Christians “do not want to define themselves as minorities”, for fear “they might lose their representation in the new constitution and state institutions”, according to a source who asked not to be named.
The local contact told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that Christian leaders have attended a number of meetings with the new government and received assurance that religious minorities will have equal rights under the new constitution.
Almost 14 years of civil war ended last December when the Islamist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – previously affiliated with Al-Qaeda – toppled Bashar al-Assad’s regime, giving rise to much uncertainly about the future of Christianity in Syria.
The ACN source said: “Damascus is in the spotlight, which pressures the former rebels to be more peaceful, and to maintain the positive image they have.”
She added that the lack of a strong central authority has allowed radical factions to impose extreme measures, such as segregated seating on public transport and forcing women to wear veils.
She explained: “There are still individual incidents, such as women being asked to wear the veil, or men and women being told not to walk together if they are not related. The same happens in Aleppo.”
She said that in other cities like “Homs and Hama, the situation is more difficult.
“It is a mixed area, with ten religious confessions living in the same place, and neighbourhoods are mixed, which makes it difficult.”
She added: “It was also a difficult situation during the war. People avoid being on the streets after 5pm.
“There are jihadists on the streets, using megaphones to call on people to convert to Islam and telling women to veil.
“Fear is really very pronounced – Christians cannot work, many stay home.”
The ACN contact highlighted that the Valley of the Christians – an exclusively Christian region in western Syria – is peaceful, but roads in and out of the area are dangerous because armed groups are free to set up roadblocks and harass citizens.
She added: “We have had cases of Christians being asked to convert to Islam.
“When they refuse, they are turned away from the roadblock but lose all their belongings.”
She concluded: “We are happy that Assad’s regime has fallen, and we hope for a better Syria.
“But we must not take for granted that everything is fine now, especially for the Christians, or that the change in Syria is for the best, though we hope and pray it is.”
ACN has been monitoring the situation in Syria by remaining in close contact with projects partners and Church leaders.
The charity is committed to providing continued support, including emergency aid, medical assistance and food supplies for Christian families, as well as helping with pastoral activities, the rebuilding of homes and the installation of solar panels for Church buildings and schools to help reduce energy costs.
With thanks to Filipe d’Avillez