DAMASCUS/LATAKIA, Syria. For the first time since the dramatic fall of President Bashar al-Assad a week ago, Syrian Christians attended Sunday services in a cautious yet hopeful display of resilience. The new Islamist rulers, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have assured Syria’s religious minorities that their rights will be safeguarded.
In the Christian-majority neighborhood of Bab Touma in Damascus, streets were filled with worshippers attending church services. However, apprehension remains among the faithful. Maha Barsa, a resident who attended Mass at the local Greek Melkite Catholic church, shared her concerns: “We’re scared, we’re still scared. Things are ambiguous.”
In the coastal city of Latakia, a former Assad stronghold, the Christian community expressed similar mixed sentiments. Lina Akhras, a parish council secretary at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, acknowledged the efforts of the new rulers to reach out. “Thank God, we received a lot of assurances, and we saw that members of the [HTS] committee reached out to our priest. God willing, we will return to our previous lives and live in our beautiful Syria,” she said.
Syria has long been a mosaic of religious and ethnic minorities, including Christians, Armenians, Kurds, and Shi’ite Muslims. While some communities are cautiously hopeful, tens of thousands of Shi’ite Muslims have fled to Lebanon, fearing persecution under the new Islamist government, according to Lebanese security officials.
Schools Reopen
In another significant step toward restoring normalcy, schools across Syria reopened on Sunday, marking the start of the working week. However, many parents remain hesitant to send their children back to class due to lingering uncertainties.
At a boys’ high school in Damascus, students gathered in the courtyard as the school secretary, Raed Nasser, raised the flag adopted by the new authorities. Salah al-Din Diab, a student, shared his optimism: “I am very happy. I used to walk in the street scared that I would get drafted into military service. Now, I feel safer.”
While officials reported that most schools across the country reopened, the massive task of rebuilding Syria’s education system and infrastructure looms large.
Calls for International Support
The country’s new de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa—better known by his rebel name Abu Mohammed al-Golani—faces immense challenges. Cities lie in ruins, sanctions cripple the economy, and millions remain displaced.
U.N. Syria envoy Geir Pedersen visited Damascus on Sunday, expressing hope for the swift lifting of international sanctions to facilitate recovery efforts. “We will hopefully see a quick end to sanctions so that we can focus on building up Syria,” Pedersen stated.
During discussions with Pedersen, Sharaa called for revisiting U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254, which outlines a roadmap for Syria’s political transition. The resolution calls for a Syrian-led process leading to non-sectarian governance, the drafting of a new constitution, and free and fair elections.
International Concerns Persist
Foreign powers remain cautious about Syria’s future under HTS, a group previously allied with al-Qaeda and still designated as a terrorist organization by many countries. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for inclusive governance that protects minority rights and avoids fostering a base for extremist groups.
As Syria navigates this uncertain transition, the world watches closely, hopeful that promises of inclusivity and peace can overcome the scars of years of civil war.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
