Syria’s Christian minority continues to face an uncertain future decades into the country’s conflict and political upheaval, according to the head of the Syriac Orthodox church, caught between dwindling numbers, political marginalization and hopes for an inclusive state.
“Unfortunately, many Christians have migrated from Syria due to the lack of stability and the unclear vision of the future of Syria,” Said Archbishop Ignatius Aphrem, a senior Syriac Orthodox, in an exclusive interview with Rudaw.
“Christians are certainly part of the Syrian community, so the general situation of Syrians is also the situation of Christians,” said Aphrem
Aphrem said that although the community supported the political transition that brought the current government to power, little has improved for Christians or other minorities.
“Of course, their situation has not changed for the better until now,” he said. “They are the original inhabitants of Syria and have existed for thousands of years… But what we expect now in Syria is that Christians will be treated like first class citizens.”
According to the archbishop, Christians were encouraged to take part in the recent indirect parliamentary elections, but only two members of the community were elected, a result that “worries us.”
“We want Christians to be equal in all their rights and duties. It is our duty to serve our country. But we want to be given the opportunity to serve this country,” he added.
While the government of President Ahmed al-Sharra has sought to reassure minorities, Aphrem said that instability and internal divisions continue to hinder progress. “Even now, there is no complete control over the situation in Syria. Therefore, this is scary for everyone,” he said.
He described his May meeting with Sharra as “constructive and positive,” noting that he gave them “some reassurances about the future of Syria and about Syria as a community for all its citizens.” Still, he acknowledged the government’s limitations.
Aphrem stressed that Christians are not seeking special privileges or international protection. “We are against giving any privileges to Christians,” he said. “But we want Christians to be citizens of the first degree… And this is what we heard from the president. This is what he really promised.”
Despite these assurances, the Christian population continues to shrink dramatically. “In my opinion, the number does not exceed 500,000 Christians in Syria from more than 1.5 million 10 years ago,” he said, noting that most are Orthodox Christians spread across Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Qamishli, Hasakah, and the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartous.
Below is the full transcript of the interview with Ignatius Aphrem:
Rudaw: I would like to start with the situation of Christians in Syria. How do you assess the situation of Christians, especially after the change of government?
Archbishop Ignatius Aphrem: Christians are certainly part of the Syrian community, so the general situation of Syrians is also the situation of Christians in general. Unfortunately, many Christians have migrated from Syria due to the lack of stability and the unclear vision of the future of Syria. Christians have been trying since the first day of the change in Syria to support the new government. Because it is in the interest of Christians and all Syrians to have stability in Syria, to have peace and to live with love and peace. Therefore, the situation of Christians is the same as that of the rest of Syrians. There are events that happen from one day to the next, which affect Christians as well as others, and this causes fear in the hearts of many people due to the lack of stability. Even now, there is no complete control over the situation in Syria. Therefore, this is scary for everyone.
Has their situation changed for the better or for the worse after the change of government?
Of course, their situation has not changed for the better until now. As I said, Christians are Syrians. They are the original inhabitants of Syria. They are from the original people in Syria and have existed for thousands of years.Their concern is that Syria will be stable and safe for all its people. But what we expect now in Syria is that Christians will be treated like first class citizens. They have rights and duties like all Syrians.This is what we hope that Christians, as well as the rest of Syrians, to live on their land with dignity and honor. Two days ago, there were elections for a new parliament, a temporary parliament for the people. Unfortunately, only two Christians were elected as members of this parliament.This worries us. We want Christians to be equal in all their rights and duties. It is our duty to serve our country. But we want to be given the opportunity to serve this country.
Let’s talk about your request. You mentioned that two deputies represent Christians in the parliament. Do they represent you? Did you boycott the elections? Was this the intention such as what the Druze, Kurds and Arabs in the north and east of Syria did? They did not participate in the elections. Did you boycott them?
No, not at all. On the contrary, we encouraged our Christian children to participate in the elections. I should also say that the current government encouraged Christians to participate in the elections. But they did not participate. There were many Christians who were nominated for these elections, but they did not participate. This is what worries us the most.
Why were they not elected?
I don’t know why. But maybe we are still living through a revolution of change, or a revolution of victory. Many Syrians thought that they were deprived for many decades from political work. Today is their chance, and we welcome this. We welcome the opportunity for all Syrians to work for Syria. Maybe some of them wanted to play a major role in these elections, but those other Syrian minorities were not given the opportunity to do so.
Let me ask my question in a more clear way. Was there a lack of participation of Christians in the elections? Is this the main reason? Or do you have doubts about the election results?
No, we do not have doubts about the election results. We do not have any information about any violations. But there was a lack of participation of some Christians. Yes, we encouraged them to participate, because we care that everyone participates. But there was a lack of participation of Christians and we need to study the reasons.Because the electors are a designated group of thousands of Syrians assigned by the interim government, including Christians, and these electors are the ones who elected from among themselves, around 140 members, and another 70 will be appointed by the president directly.
Did you meet the president Sharaa?
Yes, I met him last May.
How was the meeting?
It was constructive and positive. I think it was a good meeting. We were able to understand the direction. And of course, he gave us some reassurances about the future of Syria and about Syria as a community for all its citizens. And this is very important. And we still hear reassurances and good words from Syrian officials. But we also understand the difficulty of this government in implementing everything it wants on the ground for several reasons.
What are the reasons?
First, there are many regional and foreign interventions in Syria. Second, there are different groups that reached the government with the president, Ahmed Al-Sharra. And they differ in the degree of their religious commitment and openness to others. So, of course, there are some obstacles that prevent this government from implementing everything it wants now. But I personally do not doubt the government’s intention. As for the situation on the ground, it still needs a lot of improvement.
In your meeting, were there any promises to the Christians that were not fulfilled? Or do you have hope that they will be fulfilled?
In the beginning, we do not ask for anything special for Christians in particular. And we are against international intervention or international protection for Christians. We are against giving any privileges to Christians. But we want Christians to be citizens of the first degree. And to act on the basis of citizenship. And this is what we heard from the president. This is what he really promised. And of course, there is an attempt by the government to reassure Christians and give positive signals on this issue. But I say again that this is still in its early stages. And of course, there is a need for time. But at this time, many Christians are leaving. And this is not good for Christians.
They are still leaving?
Yes.
How many Christians are left in Syria? And the Orthodox in particular?
In my opinion, the number does not exceed 500,000 Christians in Syria from more than 1.5 million 10 years ago. And most Christians in Syria are Orthodox. Of course, there are Syrians, Romans, and Orthodox Armenians. There are some Catholic churches and some Protestant churches as well.
Read more: http://www.aina.org/news/20251008165926.htm
By By Shahyan Tahseen | Rudaw & aina.org
