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Christians in Syria face ‘uncertain, perilous future’ under HTS, persecution watchdog warns
By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor Sunday, December 08, 2024
Anti-government gunmen gather outside Damascus's historic Umayyad
Mosque in the Old City on Dec. 8, 2024, after Islamist-led rebels
declared that they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning
offensive, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five
decades of Baath rule in Syria.
Anti-government gunmen gather outside Damascus's historic Umayyad
Mosque in the Old City on Dec. 8, 2024, after Islamist-led rebels
declared that they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning
offensive, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five
decades of Baath rule in Syria. | SAM HARIRI/AFP via Getty Images
Christians in Syria confront an uncertain and perilous future under
the control of Islamist-led rebel forces, a human rights group has
warned. The city’s minority Christian population, significantly
diminished by years of civil war, now grapples with fears of
escalating threats and restrictions.
Islamist rebel forces, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which is
designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and U.K., captured
Aleppo about a week ago, followed by Homs and Damascus late Saturday
night in a sweeping offensive that toppled Syrian government forces.
Bashar al-Assad resigned and left the country on a flight to Russia on
Saturday night.
Since Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham's takeover of Aleppo, many Christians have
fled, leaving behind a small but resolute group trying to maintain
their faith and traditions.
“The coming days and weeks will be crucial for the fate of [the]
Christian community," said Jeff King, president of International
Christian Concern, in a statement shared with The Christian Post.
"Christians, with roots stretching back nearly two millennia, now face
an uncertain and perilous future.”
Bread shortages have worsened, and drinking water remains unavailable
in several areas, Catholic News Agency reports as being among the
hardships residents are facing.
Curfews imposed by the militant group from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. further
restrict daily life, leaving many residents, including Christians,
feeling confined and vulnerable. Small vans distributing free bread
and water in some neighborhoods offer limited relief.
A key highway between Damascus and Aleppo has also been blocked,
leaving residents with only a congested and hazardous alternative
route, according to CNA.
The isolation has claimed lives, including that of Dr. Arwant
Arslanian, a Christian physician killed by sniper fire while
attempting to flee the city, reported the Facebook page of Armenians
of Syria.
A bus carrying young Christians was also stranded on the Aleppo Road,
later finding refuge at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese.
Many Christian leaders have remained in the city, providing spiritual
guidance and practical support to their communities.
Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan Bishop Mor Boutros Kassis and other
Christian leaders have been communicating through social media where
they held prayers and liturgies. They are encouraging Christian
residents to face the reality with awareness, courage and faith, he
was quoted as saying.
Franciscan Father Bahjat Karakach, representing the Latin Church,
acknowledged, “The Church knows no more than the people do.” It’s up
to individuals and families to decide if they want to stay or leave
Aleppo, he stressed. “No one can make it on behalf of another. We
friars are staying and waiting to see how things unfold,” he was
quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the Islamist faction, an offshoot of al-Qaeda, has pledged
to protect civilians, including Christians. HTS leader Abu Mohammed
al-Jolani visited Aleppo’s citadel and stated, “Aleppo has always been
a meeting point for civilizations and cultures, and it will remain so,
with a long history of cultural and religious diversity,” as reported
by Al-Monitor.
Despite assurances, fears persist among Aleppo’s estimated 30,000
Christians, down from hundreds of thousands before the Syrian conflict
began in 2011.
Switzerland-based group Christian Solidarity International responded
to the assurance given by HTS, saying, “HTS’ ideology and history give religious minorities in Aleppo serious reason to doubt these
promises.”
HTS has often targeted Christians throughout Syria in violent attacks
and kidnappings, repeatedly killing Christian civilians and
confiscating their property, CSI explained.
“In the Salafist worldview that animates HTS, Christians are not
heretics to be destroyed (like the Alawites and the Druzes), but
‘people of the Book’ — followers of religions that were revealed
before the coming of the [Islamic] prophet Muhammad. In lands ruled by
Islam, they should be made dhimmis — a protected people who are kept
in legal subjugation and pay an additional tax called the jizya,” CSI continued.
“Until now, HTS has avoided imposing dhimmi status on Christians in
Idlib by referring to them as musta’min, or temporary residents,” the
group acknowledged. “But how long will HTS maintain this distinction?”
CSI asked.
However, Archbishop Boutros Marayati of the Armenian Catholic Church
sought to reassure worshipers during a Mass, telling them, “Do not
fear, dear brothers. We have received assurances from all parties.
Continue living normally, and everything will remain as before, even
better,” as quoted by AL Monitor.
The Christian community in Aleppo has historically aligned with the
Syrian government, which President Bashar al-Assad, a member of the
Alawite minority, has positioned as a protector of minorities.
The rebel takeover represents a dramatic shift, stirring memories of
prior persecution during the Islamic State’s reign over parts of
Syria. IS systematically targeted Christians, destroying churches and
engaging in mass kidnappings before being defeated in 2019.
Source: <
https://www.christianpost.com/news/christians-in-syria-face-perilous-future-watchdog-warns.html>
--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web:
http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
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