Believers in Syria may be gradually marginalised over time – and eventually face death, a leading expert is warning.
As the situation in Syria continues to unfold, Christians face ongoing uncertainty about how their new rulers will treat them.
Dr. Martin Parsons, CEO of the Lindisfarne Centre for the Study of Christian Persecution (which reports on the persecution of Christians), warns that based on the rebels’ instructions to religious minorities to stay in their homes since occupying Aleppo, they may ultimately force Christians (and Jews) to accept ‘dhimmi’ status.
While they are unlikely to kill Christians immediately, he says, in an attempt to foster an image of ‘good government’ abroad, ‘dhimmi’ status in the future would see Christians (and others) effectively become non-citizens who are allowed to live so long as they adhere to strict rules. The slightest breach could see them made outlaws who could be killed by any Muslim without repercussion.
Parsons said: ‘It looks like we are now heading for another major crisis for Syrian Christians. When this happened 10 years ago, they were massively under-represented among those recommended by the UN to the UK’s Syrian Refugee scheme despite large numbers of Christians being specifically targeted. Syrian Christians are now facing a potentially similar crisis. Will the UN and western governments see them as a lesser priority as shamefully happened a decade ago?’
Christian denominations are estimated to make up between five and 10 per cent of the country’s population. Among them are members of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL), a reformed denomination with about 60 congregations and 8,000 members, according to the most recently-available if somewhat dated figures.
Philippe Ndabananiye, Communications and Operations Director for Arab World Ministry of Pioneers (AWM-Pioneers), said: ‘It is unclear how the rebel forces that are looking to form a new government will approach religious freedom and engage with the historic Christian communities and other minority groups in the country. The power vacuum left from Assad fleeing the country at short notice and the outcome of years of civil war is a concern for many commentators.
‘We would urge Christians to intercede for Syria at this time, not only for the nation and surrounding countries but also for gospel workers working with Syrians in Syria and in other Middle Eastern nations. May they carry Christ’s love and light into the lives of Syrians they know.’
He cited one message from a ministry team in the region which says: ‘At such a time we know we are called to pray! This is how we can play a role in shaping history. This is how we can remain hopeful and full of faith – keeping our eyes on the Lord Jesus and asking that He would be absolutely at the centre of all that is taking place in Syria right now.
‘We are all doing well but please pray too for us and the team. That we would carry the light of Christ and His transforming presence into the homes of Syrians. That we would have wisdom and discernment to minister to the turmoil of people’s hearts.’
The de facto leader of the new Syrian regime is Ahmed al-Sharaa or his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the dominant group in the forces which overthrew the Assad regime.
International Christian Concern said: ‘While al-Jolani’s immediate focus is to set up a functioning government and is thus motivated to bring as many communities as possible into cooperation, he is still an avowed proponent of the Salafi-jihadist ideology. He has much deeper roots as a persecutor of religion than a promoter of its free practice.’
‘As the international community watches to see what type of government will replace the Assad regime, hundreds of thousands of religious minorities in Syria are watching too… Should al-Jolani continue to signal support for the rights of Christians and others, that would be a fundamental shift for the better. But that outcome is far from guaranteed, and a reversion to his old ways under ISIS and al-Qaida would be disastrous for these already vulnerable communities that suffered so much under Assad.’
