When the federal government of Bashar al-Assad fell in December last 12 months, many Christians were concerned that the brand new regime, dominated because it is by al-Qaeda offshoot HTS, could spell trouble for Syria’s religious minorities.
Two months in nonetheless, the signs are generally positive. Earlier this week the European Union (EU) said it might be removing Assad-era sanctions on the country in recognition of its “inclusive political transition”.
The decision to lift sanctions coincided with a gathering of Syrian leaders from diverse sections of society geared toward agreeing a recent way forward for the country. The eventual aim is a recent structure.
While representatives from many segments of Syrian society joined the meeting, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and Kurdish groups were excluded from the method.
International Christian Concern noted that HTS and the de-facto leader of Syria Ahmad al-Sharaa “seem like dominating the discussion” on the country’s future but conceded that Christian representatives are involved within the strategy of rebuilding the country.
ICC said, “While al-Sharaa has promised respect minority rights and lead Syria inclusively, many challenges remain in a rustic wracked by many years of government-encouraged division between various ethnic and non secular groups.”
In the early days following Assad’s fall, attacks on Christian places of worship were reported. Since then, al-Sharaa has met with Christian leaders and appears to be committed to protecting Christians and other minorities from more extremist elements.
Christians, Shia Muslims and Druze appear to have turn out to be more comfortable operating openly within the last two months, although concerns still remain.
One priest in Damascus told the Wall Street Journal, “This will be the calm in the attention of the storm.”
ICC notes that one key area for the country’s Christians can be whether their rights are protected in any future structure.
Changes to the tutorial curriculum within the country have been criticised by some for apparently replacing nationalist rhetoric with Islamic terminology.
Time will tell.
 When the federal government of Bashar al-Assad fell in December last 12 months, many Christians were concerned that the brand new regime, dominated...){kind=link}