As Christmas draws near, Syria’s Christian community finds itself in a precarious position under the rule of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate that now governs parts of the country. Despite assurances of safety and religious freedom from Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of HTS, a cloud of fear and mistrust lingers over the Christian population. The scars of Syria’s brutal civil war and decades of dictatorship have left minorities, including Christians, deeply skeptical of any promises made by the new rulers.
In an unprecedented move, Syrian church leaders have advised Christians to tone down their Christmas celebrations this year. Recommendations include keeping religious imagery confined to church premises, avoiding public displays like Santa Claus figures, and refraining from customary practices such as distributing sweets in the streets. These measures, though voluntary, highlight the pervasive anxiety gripping the community.
Islamist Leaders Promise Protection but Struggle to Build Trust
Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadist leader now attempting to present himself as a modern political figure, has reassured Christians and other minorities of their safety in a Syria governed by HTS. Sharaa, who once wore the uniform of a Sunni Islamist fighter, now appears in business suits as he courts Western officials and attempts to project an image of moderation. He has promised that his government will neither seek revenge on Bashar al-Assad’s former regime nor oppress Syria’s religious minorities.
However, many Christians remain unconvinced. A recent attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Hama serves as a chilling reminder of the volatility of the current situation. On December 18, unidentified gunmen stormed the church compound, fired shots, attempted to destroy a cross, and vandalized gravestones in the adjoining cemetery. Although HTS police swiftly arrested the vandals, the incident has shaken the community’s already fragile sense of security.
Further compounding these fears, residents of Bab Touma, a predominantly Christian neighborhood in Damascus, reported SUVs driving through the area while blasting jihadist songs. Social media also circulated a photo of an armored vehicle in a Christian quarter bearing the ominous message: “Your day is coming, Oh worshippers of the cross.”
Christian Bishop Andrew Bahhi of St. George’s Syriac Orthodox Church acknowledged HTS’s quick response to these incidents, including forcing offenders to apologize. Yet, he stressed that trust would take time to build. “The community is watching to see if the groups currently in power are genuinely committed to establishing a civil society that offers equal opportunities for all,” Bahhi remarked.
Christians Carry Deep Scars of War
The Christian community’s hesitation to trust HTS stems from years of suffering during Syria’s civil war. Christians, along with other minorities such as Muslim Kurds, Alawites, and Druze, have long feared the potential consequences of Sunni Islamist rule. Many recall the brutalities of war, including the targeting of their neighborhoods by various factions.
The story of Christian widow Emilia Katarina captures the deep trauma that continues to haunt Syria’s minorities. Emilia’s eldest son, Firas Azar, disappeared in November 2012 after being detained by Assad’s forces at a checkpoint. Two years later, her husband was killed, and she and her daughter were injured when the Jaish al-Islam rebel group shelled their neighborhood. Sitting next to a portrait of her husband wrapped in the Syrian flag, Emilia admitted, “Fear is deeply ingrained in us. Whenever I hear a sound at night, I jump.”
Her daughter, Mary, added, “The ideology does not change in an hour. We are afraid of this ideology.”
A Fragile Coexistence Under Islamist Rule
HTS has made efforts to engage with Christian leaders, with representatives meeting with Bishop Bahhi and others shortly after the fall of Assad’s regime. HTS officials assured them that Christians had nothing to fear. However, Bahhi remains cautious. “How truthful and serious he is? We don’t know,” he said, reflecting the lingering uncertainty.
Even if HTS manages to gain the trust of Christians, other armed Islamist groups operating in Syria add to the complexity of the situation. For Christians, the current environment feels precarious, with every decision carrying the weight of potential danger.
Christmas in the Shadow of Uncertainty
This year, Christmas celebrations in Syria will be subdued. At St. George’s Syriac Orthodox Church, Bishop Bahhi delivered a sermon urging his congregation to maintain their faith during these challenging times. In the pews, Emilia Katarina wept silently as she lit a candle, whispering a prayer for her missing son. “Maybe God will answer my prayers and bring back my son,” she said.
The sight of armed, bearded men patrolling the streets of Damascus offers little comfort to a community scarred by war and distrust. The ongoing challenges of establishing a peaceful and inclusive society remain significant for HTS, which must prove its sincerity to a population deeply wounded by years of conflict and division.
For now, Syria’s Christians tread cautiously, hoping for a future where religious freedom and safety are not just promises but realities. As Christmas approaches, their prayers carry the weight of decades of suffering, a plea for healing in a fractured nation.
