In December, the hated Assad's regime was expelled from Syria, the place they’ve been ruling since 1971. Nonetheless, the coup was headed by the novel Islamic group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS). Will the federal government change be good or unhealthy information for about 300,000 Christians of the nation? Juliette* thinks about how she and her fellowly really feel concerning the life, the adjustments and the longer term she faces.
At present, Syria appears like a new child child and preliminarily finds his approach.
I imagine that the tip of the federal government led by Assad is a key second for the nation and doubtlessly presents a brand new and extra promising chapter for Syrian folks.
As they developed, the streets echoed with surrealist Radby scenes and marked the tip of the period characterised by concern and oppression. After the lengthy -term imprisonment, the encouraging tales of people and their family members met. It’s extraordinary to see this stage of pleasure, hope and euphoria.
One of many first issues I observed after the adjustments was this: For years we have now been looking for the fundamentals, however now I see the essential items available on the market. The imported merchandise are once more seen on the streets and native markets.
Once I go for a stroll, the panorama of the Syrian streets was reworked. We not see work of the Assad household or navy checkpoints that had been as soon as ubiquitous.
Initiatives that seem in every single place are nonetheless inspiring. Many native associations and youth teams have launched initiatives for municipal help. From campaigns at universities and streets and squares to artistic endeavors, that are regulated by artistic endeavors that categorical the earlier authorities. On the time when the bakeries had been closed, there have been initiatives to distribute bread and through the transitional interval plans to create neighboring committees for defense and help.
However let me be sincere: In the course of the celebrations, concern persists subsequent to the unreal happiness. Like many others, I really feel unsure as a result of we don't know what to anticipate.
For Christians like me, uncertainty is especially worrying. Once I go to church, I see it in everybody's eyes. We’re afraid of what this transformation can imply to us.
The incidents which have grow to be Christians all through Syria in current weeks have solely contributed to this. On December 17, 2024, the gunmen attacked the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Hama in Western Syria, capturing on the partitions of the church and attempting to tear down the cross on the high of the constructing.
Earlier than Christmas Eve, the attackers burned a Christmas tree close to the Syrian metropolis of Hama. As well as, some teams moved round cities, particularly in neighborhoods the place Christians reside, corresponding to Aleppo and Damascus, and invite everybody to put on hijab or be a part of Islam.
Thankfully, all these incidents appear to have been particular person actions. None of them have been carried out. To date, they’ve acknowledged occasions and are working to treatment the state of affairs.
I imagine that in this transitional part we as Christians should act rigorously. We should bear in mind the best way in entrance of us and discover methods to resolve challenges with out frightening a battle or contributing to the stress that comes with such a big change.
It is usually important for us to guard our religion and our most important beliefs, particularly once I take into consideration the historical past of teams corresponding to Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, and the brand new authority that’s now in energy. I’m additionally deeply involved about Islamic teams that query Christianity as a minority in society. A few of my associates from the church have even encountered people who declare that Christians not belong right here.
However even within the face of those challenges, I discover energy in my religion and within the phrases of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch provided in sermon after the regime change:
“We stand on the edge of the brand new part and understand the daybreak of the homeland that all of us love and weigh. We’re on the verge of renewal that we wish to be vivid with hope and topped with gentle. Right here in Damascus … we declare to the world: As Christians we’re from Syria. Damascus.
Christians not solely belong to this nation, but additionally have all of the rights to contribute to its progress and growth – that’s our aspiration.
I made a decision to be rigorously optimistic, the brand new management says the correct factor, and that's the start. Nonetheless, the journey forward of us stays shrouded in uncertainty.
We flip to prayer and ask for divine steerage and we imagine that God's will will win. It’s important that all of us keep persistent in our religion, draw the energy and luxury of our steadfast belief in God's plan for our personal and effectively -being of our nation.
*Pseudonym used for security causes.
