The meeting was announced to them barely 24 hours in advance. But at the call of the new master of Damascus, most Christian leaders converged on the Syrian capital. Ahmed Al Charaa thus received, on December 31, 2024, all the leaders of the Christian Churches established in the country: Catholic, Anglican, Syriac, Maronite, etc.
If the past of the new Syrian leader, former head of the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda, raises many concerns in the country, as well as internationally, about the future of minorities – notably Christians, as evidenced by the visit of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot to Damascene Christians on January 3 – Ahmed Al Charaa wants to show his openness. According to comments reported by participants, the content of this interview was ” positive “.
“A year of peace”
“Almost all the bishops present were able to express themselves, and reported their concerns and the fear of the Syrian people who live in poverty”indicates Mgr Jacques Mourad, Syriac Catholic archbishop of Homs. For his part, the new strongman of Syria insisted on the importance of collaboration between all the country's active forces, to support the government in its effort to rebuild the State. The new leader, notes Mgr Jacques Mourad, “did not use the word minority”. “He said that Christians and other population groups are part of the Syrian people, adds the Archbishop of Homs. He is aware that we Christians are at the origin of this country. »
Such a meeting is “an event that was unimaginable in the history of Syria until three weeks agofor his part declared the apostolic nuncio to Syria, Cardinal Mario Zenari, to the official Vatican media. I heard some testimonies, the bishops and priests present came out with some hope for the future of Syria. Ahmed Al Joulani (the nom de guerre of the country's new strongman, Editor's note) promised that it would be a Syria for all, an inclusive Syria, and at the end he wished a Merry Christmas and a year of peace. »
In the country, the transition after fifty years of dictatorship of the Assad clan is still groping, according to Mgr Jacques Mourad. Themselves surprised to have brought down the existing regime so quickly, the new Syrian leaders “do not yet feel comfortable and are poorly prepared” to govern an entire country. “But they manage the country as if they were going to stay for a long time,” remarks the archbishop, as evidenced by the reflections on printing money, writing a new Constitution or even modifying school programs.
Concerns about the future Constitution
These new directions raise some concerns in particular among Christians: what place for Islam in the Syria of tomorrow? What freedoms for religious minorities? School textbooks were initially at the heart of criticism. The Ministry of Education announced on 1is January of « modifications » in the programs, to remove the propaganda of the previous regime from the books. But the announcement of changes in the teaching of history, philosophy or science, to introduce a vision more aligned with Islam, has created controversy.
Faced with criticism, the government backed down the next day. “There is a certain positive aspect in their attitude, underlines Mgr Jacques Mourad. The authorities demonstrate flexibility and respect for the words of the people. »
This is why, while a new Constitution could enshrine the primacy of Islam in the country, the Archbishop of Homs believes that it is the responsibility of Christians and all citizens to make themselves heard. “It is a great concern but also a great responsibility for everyone, he explains. I have no problem with people saying that Syria is a Muslim country, but at the same time the system of governance must be based on respect for diversity and equality of citizens of all faiths. I cannot imagine our country being ruled by Islamic law, but by civil law that respects human rights. »
Since the military takeover of the HTC group in Syria, Christian leaders do not seem to be worried about their future for the moment, reassured by the first steps of the new government. “I am more worried about the Alawites (minority from which the Assad family came, Editor's note), points out Mgr Mourad. They were victims of the old regime but are now the subject of vengeance and are sometimes killed. »
