In churches across Syria, Christians marked the first Sunday services since the government’s collapse with prayers and tears.
“[The rebels] are promising us that a government will be formed soon and, God willing, things will become better because we got rid of the tyrant,” says worshiper Jihad Raffoul.
Tyrants ruled Syria for decades. President Bashar al-Assad harshly cracked down on what began as peaceful anti-government protests in 2011. The country spiraled into a devastating civil war. In response to the regime’s oppression of its own people, the United States made it illegal for Americans to make investments in Syrian companies or sell goods to the country. These sanctions were intended to weaken Syria’s government financially and pressure it to allow a democratic transition. Other Western countries, including Canada, Australia, and Switzerland, imposed similar sanctions.
In early December, Sunni Islamist rebel forces removed Assad from office. With the brutal ruler out of power, the United Nations envoy for Syria called for a quick end to Western sanctions.
But even if sanctions are lifted, Syria’s future isn’t exactly clear. The Islamist rebels may not be better rulers. They have carried out forced conversions to Sunni Islam, murders, and arbitrary arrests. Still, many Syrians hope for change.
This week at the Nahla Zaidan school in the Mezzah neighborhood, teachers hoisted the three-starred revolutionary flag.
“God willing, there will be more development, more security, and more construction in this beloved country,” says school director Maysoun Al-Ali.
Rebuilding won’t be straightforward. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group which overthrew the president, has not laid out a clear vision of how the country will be governed. The United States considers HTS a terrorist organization.
The temporary government is set to rule until March. Officials from countries such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt call for supervised elections based on a new constitution.
International watchers urge Syria’s new leaders to respect the rights of minorities and women. Christians are one of the country’s minorities.
Syrian Christians made up 10% of the population before Syria’s civil war. Many fled during the years of fighting. December 8’s church services were canceled in the chaos of HTS’s seizure of Damascus. But last Sunday, church doors reopened and bells rang out.
The Lord has used Syria in some powerful ways throughout history. On the road to Damascus, the Apostle Paul came to know the Lord. (Acts 9) Syria’s future may be uncertain to us. But God has had his eye on the country for thousands of years. He won’t forget Syria now.
Pray for Christians and others in Syria who face an uncertain future. Pray that more Syrians will come to know the true God and His merciful love and salvation.
All the ends of the Earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the Lord, and He rules over the nations. — Psalm 22:27-28
