Damascus: Syrian church leaders have urged Christians to scale back Christmas celebrations this year, reflecting growing unease despite assurances from the newly installed Islamist leadership that religious freedom will be respected. The move underscores a significant challenge facing Syria’s new rulers: fostering trust among minorities deeply scarred by decades of dictatorship and a brutal civil war spanning 13 years.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate, has sought to allay fears. Sharaa, once a senior figure within the Sunni Muslim Islamist group, has swapped his militant attire for business suits, projecting an image of a leader intent on establishing a more inclusive society. He has assured both domestic and Western audiences that HTS will not seek retribution against Bashar al-Assad’s former regime—dominated by the Alawite sect—nor will it suppress religious minorities.
Reported attacks on Christian symbols have fueled fear and mistrust in Syria ahead of Christmas https://t.co/t4TKHYSteo pic.twitter.com/7TwRxxGVth
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 25, 2024
Distrust Among Christians Persists
Despite these assurances, skepticism among Syria’s Christian community remains high. On December 18, gunmen attacked a Greek Orthodox church in Hama, attempting to desecrate a cross and vandalizing graves. The church released a statement condemning the act. In the Bab Touma district of Damascus, predominantly home to Christians, residents reported SUVs blasting jihadist songs, heightening tensions. Social media posts have also circulated an image of an armored vehicle with a message reading: “Your day is coming, Oh worshippers of the cross.”
Bishop Andrew Bahhi of St. George’s Syriac Orthodox Church described the incidents as troubling but noted that HTS acted quickly in response. The group forced the vehicle’s driver to remove the inflammatory sign and issue an apology, while police swiftly arrested the vandals in Hama. “The community is watching to see if the groups currently in power are genuinely committed to establishing a civil society that offers equal opportunities for all,” Bahhi said. HTS officials were not immediately available for comment.
Modest Celebrations Amid Deep Scars
Bahhi has advised the Christian community to adopt low-profile Christmas traditions this year. Women have been asked to dress modestly, and imagery of Father Christmas or St. Nicholas is to remain confined to church grounds. Distributing sweets in public—a customary practice—has also been discouraged. Armed patrols by bearded men in Damascus serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions, doing little to ease fears.
Syria’s historic religious and ethnic diversity includes Muslim Kurds, Shi’ites, Syriac, Greek and Armenian Orthodox Christians, and the Druze community—all of whom have faced existential threats during the civil war. Many worry that Sunni Islamist governance could imperil their way of life.
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Personal Stories Reflect Deep Fears
For Emilia Katarina, a Christian resident, the scars of war are deeply personal. Her son, Firas Azar, vanished in 2012 after being detained by Assad’s forces. Two years later, her husband was killed, and she and her daughter, Mary, were injured when a rebel group shelled their neighborhood. Katarina’s voice trembled as she recounted her fears: “Whenever I hear a sound at night, I jump. Fear is deeply ingrained in us.” Mary echoed her sentiments, saying, “The ideology does not change in an hour. We are afraid of this ideology.”
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Shortly after Assad’s regime fell, HTS representatives met with Christian leaders, including Bahhi, urging them not to fear. However, Bahhi remains cautious. “But how truthful and serious he is? We don’t know,” he said. The presence of other armed Islamist groups in the region adds another layer of uncertainty for Christians.
At St. George’s Church, Katarina attended a sermon on resilience during challenging times. Tears flowed as she lit a candle, whispering a heartfelt prayer: “Maybe God will answer my prayers and bring back my son.”
