Christians have 'vital role' to play in rebuilding Syria, want sanctions lifted: patriarch

WASHINGTON — As Syrians residing below the management of Islamist-led insurgent forces proceed to face an unsure future, the supreme head of the Common Syriac Orthodox Church has supplied a imaginative and prescient for the way Christians can probably rebuild their “homeland.” 

Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, patriarch of Antioch and All of the East, spoke on the Worldwide Non secular Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, issuing a name on the worldwide neighborhood to assist Syria rebuild following the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime by lifting financial sanctions. 

The Syrian-American Christian learn from a joint assertion launched on Dec. 29 by the patriarchs and heads of church buildings in Syria outlining a plan for Syria’s future to re-establish the area as “an lively member of the worldwide neighborhood and to strengthen its belonging to its broader geographical and Arab environment.” 

“As Christians, we’ve got a significant and pivotal position to play on this section by cooperating with everybody to advance and rebuild this homeland,’” the patriarch learn.

“We acknowledge that our religious, ethical, and nationwide accountability compels us to all the time increase the voice of reality, defend human dignity below all circumstances, and strongly try to help the trail of democracy, freedom, independence, and peace, which ensures the rights and dignity of all Syrians,” he added. 

The toppling of the Syrian authorities in December 2024 by Islamist insurgent forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has precipitated a lot uncertainty for minority communities. HTS is a delegated terrorist group made up of former Islamic State and Al Qaeda fighters.

Underneath the de facto governance, consultants have warned that the group is making an attempt to “rebrand” and seem non-threatening. Regardless of assurances that new authorities leaders will defend and respect the rights of Christians, church leaders have reacted to those claims with skepticism. 

The church leaders and patriarchs supplied varied steps for Syria to realize this new future, together with an enchantment to the worldwide neighborhood to carry financial sanctions. These sanctions, they warned, have negatively impacted Syria’s economic system, in addition to neighboring communities, that are then affected by authorized or unlawful migration. 

By lifting the sanctions, the non secular leaders consider that the worldwide neighborhood might “help the trail of reconstruction and financial restoration and create job alternatives.”

“Syria has just lately endured financial sanctions, in addition to an financial blockade. This has affected Syrian residents from all spectrums,” the joint assertion reads. “These sanctions have negatively impacted the area people in Syria and neighboring communities, which had been additionally affected by migration.”

The European Union, the UK and the USA have financial sanctions in place in response to the Assad authorities’s oppression of civilians. The U.S. has designated Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1979, and extra sanctions had been added in 2004.  

The Syrian church leaders additionally urged for the drafting of a brand new structure that have to be “inclusive and complete,” involving all ethnicities and denominations, to make sure that it represents everybody equally. 

The leaders additionally known as for dedication and motion from Christians at residence or overseas to face with Syria by permitting its individuals to rebuild.

“We consider that God, Who introduced us collectively on this land, from which civilizations and faith-based messages originated, will bless our efforts and information us on the trail to peace,” the assertion concluded. 

“Allow us to carry up our hearts and fingers to Him, reconcile with each other, and search from Him energy and knowledge to maneuver ahead. Allow us to be peacemakers, carrying the hope of Christ and remaining trustworthy to His message of reconciliation, fraternal love, and peace on earth.”