In Syria, the situation for Christians remains extremely concerning, particularly in Latakia, where tension remains high following a recent wave of violence. Franciscan Father Fadi Azar describes an atmosphere of fear among the faithful, some of whom are seeking refuge in Europe. During these attacks, Christians were murdered simply for their identity, such as a father and his son who were shot after armed men checked their identification papers. In Banias, Christian homes were looted, forcing Maronite and Orthodox families to flee to safer villages.
Father Azar blames jihadist groups that have come from different regions of Syria. These terrorists, determined to regain power, descend from the mountains to attack checkpoints and military bases. Their primary target remains the Alawite community, which is being systematically persecuted, but even Sunnis opposed to these massacres have been killed. Concurrently, the new regime is attempting to contain this violence while itself being under pressure from groups still loyal to the former government.
In this climate of uncertainty, Islamists have not hesitated to publish threatening videos targeting Christians. The danger is omnipresent, and no one knows what the future holds for them.
Furthermore, the political transition in Syria is raising concerns. On March 13, interim President Ahmed al Sharaa signed a constitutional declaration outlining a five-year transition. The text, drafted in record time after a national dialogue conference, mandates that the Syrian president must be a Sunni Muslim and designates Islamic law as the principal source of legislation. This direction has sparked opposition from Kurds and Druze, despite their recent integration into the new Syrian state.
Father Jihad Yousef, superior of the Mar Mousa community, who participated in discussions with other Christian religious and lay leaders, notes both positive aspects and worrying points. He denounces an excessive concentration of power in the hands of the president and a consultation process that appears to have been used to validate decisions already made. During the exchanges, the issue of Islamic law was one of the most debated topics. Yet, despite opposition from several Muslim scholars, Sharia was ultimately reintroduced into the final declaration, fueling fears that this dialogue was merely a pretext.
Faced with this situation, Christians emphasize the importance of equality before the law and a citizenship guaranteeing the same rights and duties for all. Syria's ethnic and religious diversity necessitates the construction of a strong social pact, based on coexistence and not on the domination of one group over others. The future of the country will depend on this capacity to establish a just and respectful framework for all its inhabitants.