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CV NEWS FEED // The sudden overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has sparked hope among Christians and minorities who have long suffered under economic stagnation and oppression.
Calling for “a new constitution that respects all Syrians,” Fr. Bahjat Karakach, the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Aleppo, described the profound challenges faced under Assad’s rule in an article for AsiaNews.
“By now there is no development, the economy is stagnant, and they are surviving with great difficulty,” he wrote.
Like other Syrians, Christians are now looking to the future with cautious optimism.
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The swift rise of the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) coalition, which once operated as an al-Qaeda affiliate, culminated in the capture of Damascus and Assad’s flight to Moscow with his family. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani addressed supporters at the historic Umayyad mosque in Damascus. However, uncertainty looms, with curfews in place and streets largely deserted as citizens grapple with the rapid change.
Fr. Karakach expressed cautious hope for a more tolerant Syria.
“We hope that what happened will unblock the political situation,” he said, urging the international community to support the formation of a new constitution that respects the rights of all Syrians. Echoing this sentiment, Apostolic Nuncio Cardinal Mario Zenari called for the lifting of sanctions, which he described as a heavy “burden” on the poor, and urged the new leadership to honor promises of democratic reform.
The international community, including the United Nations, has been called upon to assist Syria in rebuilding and establishing a democratic foundation. An emergency session of the UN Security Council was convened at Moscow’s request to address the situation.
While the Assad regime was perceived as a protector of minorities, Fr. Karakach noted in the AsiaNews article that Christians have also endured immense hardships during Assad’s rule, with many forced to flee the country.
“Christians today really have great hope of returning to their country to be an integral part in building Syria’s future,” he said.
He emphasized the desire of Christians to be treated not as a minority but as equal citizens with the same rights and duties as others.
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The Jesuit community in Syria, present in cities like Damascus, Homs, and Aleppo, echoed this sentiment in a letter calling for prayers as the country embarks on this new chapter. They expressed hopes of leaving behind “14 years of ferocious and indiscriminate war, mass destruction, hundreds of thousands of dead, millions of displaced persons, refugees and expatriates, an economy on the brink of the abyss.”
Fr. Karakach acknowledged that HTS’s recent actions have fostered some hope among Christians. He pointed out that in recent years, HTS has shown signs of greater tolerance toward Christians.
“These groups in the last two or three years in the province of Idlib have shown tolerance towards Christians and have begun to return property previously confiscated from the community,” he explained.
Moreover, since HTS forces entered Aleppo, he noted, they have sent “very strong messages of tolerance towards all minorities, including Christians.”
“This whole approach has been partly reassuring,” he said, highlighting HTS’s decision to allow the former prime minister and government to remain in place as a sign of moderation.
The priest stressed the importance of international involvement in stabilizing Syria, fostering dialogue, and drafting a new, inclusive constitution.
“We hope the international community will do its part,” he said, underscoring the need for vigilance in evaluating the promises made by HTS and the new leadership.
The Syrian priest expressed his hope for “a new constitution that respects all Syrians.” Christians, he affirmed, are committed to participating fully in the rebuilding of Syria as equal citizens in a just and democratic society.
