Syrian Christians Celebrate First Christmas Eve Under New Islamist Rule Amid Rising Tensions
Syrian Christians gathered for Christmas Eve services on Tuesday, marking the first such observance since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month. The event tested the promises of Syria’s new Islamist rulers, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), to safeguard the rights of religious minorities, including Christians.
Christmas Amid Tight Security
The Lady of Damascus Church in the capital was filled with worshippers holding candles, as hymns echoed throughout the sanctuary. However, the celebrations unfolded under heightened security due to fears of violence targeting Christian sites. HTS vehicles patrolled around the church to ensure safety.
Protests Against Targeted Attacks
Earlier in the day, hundreds of Christians in Damascus staged protests after a Christmas tree in northern Hama’s countryside was burned. Protesters carried wooden crosses and chanted slogans such as, “We are your soldiers, Jesus” and “The Syrian people are one.”
Protester Laila Farkouh expressed her frustration, saying, “We are protesting to demand our rights and denounce… the burning of the Christmas tree and attacks on churches. We do not accept this.”
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Targeted Attacks Raise Concerns
Despite HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa’s reassurances of religious freedom, incidents targeting Christians have increased since Assad’s fall. On December 18, unidentified gunmen attacked a Greek Orthodox church in Hama, damaging a cross and desecrating headstones in the church’s cemetery.
In another instance, reporters observed SUVs blaring jihadist songs as they drove through Bab Touma, a predominantly Christian neighborhood in Damascus.
Promises from HTS Leadership
HTS, once affiliated with al Qaeda, has sought to present a moderate image under Sharaa’s leadership. Sharaa, who has traded his jihadist attire for business suits, has pledged to protect minorities and avoid revenge against Assad’s Alawite-dominated regime. However, these promises have done little to ease the fears of Syria’s Christian population.
A Community in Doubt
The recent attacks and incidents have left many Christians wary of HTS’s assurances. While Christmas celebrations continue, they do so under the shadow of rising tensions and a lingering sense of uncertainty about the future of religious freedom in Syria.
