End of the Assad regime: Christians in Syria in great danger!

End of the Assad regime: Christians in Syria in great danger!

A monumental change shakes Syria: The fall of the Assad regime has caused mixed reactions worldwide, especially among Christians who are now confronted with the fear question: What is next? They fear that the now more powerful jihadist groups are persecuted. These groups, led by the Islamist militia Haiat Tahrir al-Scham (HTS), are immersed in the power vacuum. Therefore, the question arises whether Syria has only slipped into the other. As rnd Syrian population, and so far they were considered relatively safe under the protection of the Assad regime.

Among Assad, Christians were able to freely exercise their religion and Christian holidays were recognized. But the now prevailing uncertainty makes many Christians worry about their future. The representatives of the Missio Catholic aid organization are relieved that there have been no attacks so far, but the fear of the future remains. "There is a high uncertainty," said a spokesman for the German Bishops' Conference. How much protection do the promises of the rebels really offer?

between hope and fear

Despite the insured security by the HTS, there are demands for specific rights for minorities. "A mere promise is not enough," warns the head of the Middle East presentation of the Heinrich Böll Foundation. It remains to be seen whether these new rulers are actually able to create a freer Syria.

The pressure on the Christian community is reinforced by a historical crisis, as the Middle East specialist Pierre-Jean Luizard noticed. Syria later entered the crisis of political denomination as Lebanon and Iraq, but now the country is also in the middle of it. The loss of protection by the Assad regime could make Christians a goal of the radicalizations.

The risk of wreath

While the Catholic Aid Agency "Church in Need" asks the international community and the new Syrian rulers to ensure the fundamental rights of all religious communities, the situation remains tense. The risk of the extinction is real, said Luizard in the Radio Vatican. As msn could be reported, including the Christians, be in the current unrest. The Assad regime has also presented a threat, but the threat of sectarian tensions between Sunnis, Alawites and Shiites grows and could be decisive.

The coming weeks and months will show whether the newly formed rule in Syria is able to respect the political and religious diversity of the country. For the Syrian Christians, this time means one thing above all: hope and fear lie close together. The world will have to look to ensure that Syria becomes a place where diversity does not mean wreath.