As Christmas approaches, Christians in Syria are facing a season clouded with fear and uncertainty under the new Islamist leadership. While the leaders of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group with roots in al-Qaeda, have pledged to protect minorities and uphold religious freedom, the scars of a brutal civil war and decades of authoritarian rule have left the Christian community wary of these assurances. Church leaders across the country are urging their congregations to tone down Christmas celebrations, symbolizing a cautious approach in a time of transition.
A Fractured Trust in New Leadership
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto ruler of HTS, has worked to project a moderate image since assuming power. Once a jihadist leader of the Sunni Islamist group that previously labeled Christians as infidels, Sharaa has traded his military uniform for business suits in an apparent effort to signal a shift toward inclusivity and civil governance. He has assured Christians and other minorities that HTS will not pursue revenge against the previous Alawite-dominated regime of Bashar al-Assad or suppress other religious groups.
Sharaa’s outreach extends to Western officials, with promises of creating a stable and inclusive Syria. However, his past associations and the group’s Islamist roots make many Christians skeptical of the sincerity of these reassurances. The distrust has been compounded by incidents of violence and intimidation targeting Christian communities.
Incidents Fueling Fear
On December 18, unidentified gunmen attacked a Greek Orthodox church in Hama. According to a statement from the church, the assailants entered the compound, attempted to destroy a cross, and vandalized headstones in the cemetery. Although the vandals were arrested swiftly following HTS intervention, the event has shaken the community.
In the Christian neighborhood of Bab Touma in Damascus, residents reported SUVs blasting jihadist songs from their speakers, an act perceived as a deliberate attempt to intimidate. A photograph circulating on social media added to the tension, showing an armored vehicle driving through a Christian area with the ominous message, “Your day is coming, Oh worshippers of the cross,” scrawled on its window.
Christian Bishop Andrew Bahhi of St. George’s Syriac Orthodox Church described these incidents as deeply troubling but acknowledged HTS’s quick response in resolving some of the issues. The offending vehicle driver was reportedly forced to remove the threatening message and issue an apology. Still, the incidents highlight the deep mistrust that persists within the Christian community.
“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 said, emphasizing the fragile nature of trust in the current environment.
A Legacy of Trauma
Syria’s Christian community, like other minorities, has endured immense suffering throughout the country’s prolonged civil war. For many, the fear of Islamist rule is not merely hypothetical but rooted in painful experiences. Christians, along with Muslim Kurds, Shi’ites, and Druze, worried that any Sunni Islamist leadership would jeopardize their rights and way of life.
One such individual, Christian widow Emilia Katarina, embodies the pain and fear shared by many in her community. Katarina lost her husband and son during the conflict. Her son, Firas Azar, disappeared in 2012 after being detained by Assad’s forces at a checkpoint, just weeks before his wedding. Two years later, a shell from the Jaish al-Islam rebel group struck near her home, killing her husband and injuring her and her daughter, Mary.
“Whenever I hear a sound at night, I jump. Fear is deeply ingrained in us,” Katarina said, clutching a photograph of her missing son. Her daughter expressed similar concerns, saying, “The ideology does not change in an hour. We are afraid of this ideology.”
Modesty in Celebrations
This year, church leaders are advising Christians to celebrate Christmas in a subdued manner. Bishop Bahhi has urged the faithful to avoid public displays of Christmas traditions, including street parades and distributing sweets. He has also recommended modest attire and keeping decorations like Santa Claus or St. Nicholas confined to church premises.
The caution reflects the uncertainty surrounding the true intentions of HTS and its ability to control a mosaic of other Islamist groups operating in Syria. Even if HTS leadership proves trustworthy, the presence of other armed groups with differing agendas creates additional layers of insecurity for minorities.
Hope Amid Uncertainty
Despite the fear and uncertainty, many Christians cling to their faith as a source of hope. At St. George’s Church, Bishop Bahhi delivered a sermon encouraging his congregation to remain steadfast. Among the worshippers was Katarina, whose tears reflected the deep pain she continues to carry. She rose to light a candle and whispered a prayer for her missing son.
“Maybe God will answer my prayers and bring back my son,” she said softly.
The path to mutual trust in Syria remains fraught with challenges. HTS must work to prove its commitment to protecting minorities and fostering inclusivity in a fractured nation. For now, Syria’s Christian community treads cautiously, balancing their faith with the realities of a nation still healing from war.
