What next for Syria – and the broader Middle East region?

This has been an awfully heartbreaking 12 months for the peoples of the Middle East. No one could have predicted the bloodshed across the Holy Land that has lasted for greater than a 12 months, or the present dramatic events in Syria.

The Syrian civil war that began over 13 years ago, claiming tons of of 1000’s of lives and displacing tens of millions, had grow to be mostly dormant until an unexpected re-eruption at the tip of November. Then, a regime that had remained in power for over five many years collapsed in lower than two weeks. As tens of millions of Syrians have a good time the autumn of the dictator, the world is holding its breath to see what is going to occur next. Will this really be a latest era of peace and freedom for Syria after years of oppression and conflict?

There are some key lessons that other powers within the region, and indeed all over the world, might learn from these dramatic events in Syria. A regime that can’t secure its people’s basic needs and provides them hope for a greater future, that relies on foreign powers for its security and never the approval of its people, is liable to collapse no matter how cruel it’s and the way unassailable its power could seem.

Other countries of the Middle East and North Africa, that are facing crushing financial challenges and losing support amongst their populations, are seriously concerned that there might be a domino effect comparable to we witnessed throughout the Arab Spring of 2011-12, when the strongman leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, and Libya were toppled in swift succession. Fallen Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s ally Iran might be especially perturbed by his shock removal.

The Arab Spring was a similarly dramatic and hopeful era within the region, nevertheless it was not long before the high hopes of revolution were dashed. The questions now for Syria’s latest leaders, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, are: will they learn from the past? Will they understand that to be allowed to rule and rebuild their countries they need to show restraint and humility, especially towards minorities? Will they struggle to go away behind their grievances and resist engaging in armed conflicts that lead their country into further fragmentation, comparable to has happened in Iraq and Libya?

Christians, and others, within the region, are greatly concerned that we may witness one other violent try and eliminate religious and ethnic minorities in Syria. Many believers have already fled the country due to persecution by groups that took territory within the early years of the civil war. This is a matter of great personal anguish for us at SAT-7. In April 2013 two Syrian bishops, Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, the Syrian Orthodox Archbishop of Aleppo, and Metropolitan Paul Yazigi, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop in Aleppo, were kidnapped. Mar Gregorios was a much valued and revered member of SAT-7’s International Council. Since then, there was no news of them.

Today, we hope and pray that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham might be true to its promise to guard minorities and can allow Christians to practise their faith in peace and freedom. SAT-7 has heard from Church leaders in Syria this week who’re concerned in regards to the way forward for their country, and are asking for prayer for unity, peace, and protection. What we actually need to see, as believers, is the Church in Syria being empowered to grow, not only survive, in the approaching years. And we also hope and pray that the international community will play its part in upholding the fitting to freedom of faith and belief for everybody in Syria, and in the broader region.

For us at SAT-7, a multi-platform Christian media ministry operating across the Middle East and North Africa, now is a vital time to be a voice for peace, for reconciliation, and for freedom. Our live programmes are giving a voice to Christian minorities within the region, to foster understanding, to advertise diversity and tolerance, and to witness to a faith that was literally born within the Middle East. As Christmas approaches, our hearts are lifted by the approaching of the Prince of Peace. The theme for our Arabic programmes this Christmas is “His Name is Immanuel… God with us”, and we pray that Christ might be present in anxious hearts and His message will transform these troubled lands.

Please pray:

• Pray for Syrians who’ve suffered a lot violence and injustice over a few years. Pray for healing of hearts and minds, and for a latest era of peace and justice.
• Pray for freedom and respect for minorities in Syria, and that the rights of all might be upheld.
• Pray for the Church in Syria, for wisdom because it navigates the uncertainty of the present situation, for defense, and for the liberty to grow. Pray that believers will know the presence and luxury of Immanuel amid the fear of the unknown.
• Pray for Syria’s neighbours and the broader region, for an end to the conflicts which might be destroying tens of millions of lives, for reconciliation and the acceptance of differences.

George Makeen is Ministry Content Advisor for SAT-7.