As Christmas approaches in Syria, the country’s Christian community finds itself engulfed in fear and uncertainty under the leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate that now holds power. Despite reassurances from HTS leaders that Christians and other minorities are safe to practice their religion, the scars of decades of dictatorship and 13 years of brutal civil war have left trust in short supply.
Church leaders across Syria are urging Christians to significantly scale back traditional Christmas celebrations this year. This self-imposed caution is a reflection of the unease many feel under the new Islamist rulers, who face the monumental challenge of building trust among the country’s diverse and deeply traumatized minority groups.
Promises of Safety Amid Deep Skepticism
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto ruler of HTS, has taken steps to reassure minorities of their safety under his leadership. A former jihadist who has traded his military attire for business suits, Sharaa has assured Western officials and Christian leaders alike that HTS will neither seek revenge against the Alawite-dominated former regime of Bashar al-Assad nor oppress other religious communities.
However, many Christians remain unconvinced. On December 18, unidentified gunmen attacked a Greek Orthodox church in Hama, attempting to destroy a cross and vandalizing a cemetery. While HTS police swiftly arrested the culprits, the incident has deepened fears among Christians about their safety and the sincerity of the Islamist leadership’s promises.
In Damascus, the sight of SUVs blasting jihadist songs in predominantly Christian neighborhoods and armored vehicles bearing threatening messages like “Your day is coming, Oh worshippers of the cross” have further fueled anxiety. Bishop Andrew Bahhi of St. George’s Syriac Orthodox Church described these events as deeply unsettling, though he acknowledged HTS’s quick response to one incident by forcing the driver of an armored vehicle to apologize and remove the offensive message.
“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. His cautious optimism is shared by few, as many Christians harbor deep-seated fears rooted in past experiences with Islamist groups.
A Community Scarred by War
The fear and mistrust among Syria’s Christians stem from years of trauma and loss during the country’s civil war. Christian families have faced targeted violence, displacement, and the destruction of their homes and places of worship.
Emilia Katarina, a Christian mother, lost her son and husband during the conflict. Her son, Firas Azar, was detained by Assad’s forces in 2012 and has been missing ever since. Two years later, her husband was killed when a rebel group shelled their neighborhood in Damascus, leaving Emilia and her daughter Mary injured.
“Whenever I hear a sound at night, I jump. Fear is deeply ingrained in us,” Katarina said, clutching a photograph of her missing son and sitting beside a portrait of her husband wrapped in the Syrian flag. Her daughter echoed the sentiment: “The ideology does not change in an hour. We are afraid of this ideology.”
A Fractured Mosaic of Minorities
Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities, including Christian denominations such as Syriac Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian Orthodox, as well as Druze, Kurds, and Shi’ites, have all borne the brunt of the civil war’s violence. Many feared that any future Sunni Islamist rule would jeopardize their rights and way of life. Now, under HTS control, these fears are being put to the test.
HTS leaders have held meetings with Christian clergy, promising equal treatment and protection. However, trust remains fragile. “But how truthful and serious he is? We don’t know,” Bishop Bahhi remarked after an HTS representative met with Christian leaders shortly after the fall of Assad’s regime.
Adding to the unease is the presence of various armed Islamist militant groups operating across Syria. Even if HTS demonstrates goodwill, Christians worry about other groups undermining any semblance of stability.
Cautious Celebrations and Uncertain Futures
In the face of these challenges, Christian leaders have advised their communities to adapt their Christmas traditions to the current circumstances. Bishop Bahhi has urged young people to dress modestly, keep festive decorations like images of Father Christmas confined to church premises, and avoid the customary distribution of sweets on the streets.
“The sight of armed men patrolling the streets does little to evoke trust,” Bahhi said. The memory of past violence and ongoing threats loom large, casting a shadow over the holiday season.
Yet, some Christians continue to cling to their faith and hope for a better future. At St. George’s Syriac Orthodox Church, Katarina attended a recent service where Bishop Bahhi delivered a sermon on resilience and faith in difficult times. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she lit a candle and whispered a prayer for her missing son. “Maybe God will answer my prayers and bring back my son,” she said.
Challenges for Syria’s New Leaders
For HTS and its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, the task of governing a nation fractured by war and distrust is formidable. The Islamist group’s swift actions to address incidents targeting Christians suggest an awareness of the need to build trust, but the deep wounds inflicted by years of conflict will not heal overnight.
As Syria’s Christians navigate this new chapter, the question remains: can HTS truly foster an inclusive society where all can coexist, or will the promises of protection and equality prove fleeting? For now, fear and caution overshadow the holiday season, as a community once again braces itself for an uncertain future.
