ICC Note:
Syrian Christians fear Muslim extremism after the fall of President Assad.
By Luiza Oleszczuk
3/9/2012 Syria (Christian Post) – Will Christians in Syria – which has thus far been a relatively safe haven for religious minorities amid recent turmoil in the Middle East – be persecuted by Muslim extremists and forced to migrate after the fall of President Bashar Assad, as was the case with Iraqi Christians after the fall of Saddam Hussein? Yes, according to experts, and that prospect has Syria’s Christians already making plans to flee.
A senior Syrian bishop who spoke with a Christian advocacy group, Aide to the Church in Need (ACN), recently said that as a Christian leader, he fears the danger of a mass exodus of the faithful, similar to the one that happened in Iraq after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and the fall of Hussein.
Both countries traditionally had a significant population of Assyrian Christians. In addition, thousands of Iraqi Christians sought sanctuary in Syria, which today has an estimated 2.5 million faithful who have traditionally prospered in that country, which used to be one of the most liberal and tolerant countries in the Middle East, even if ruled by a despotic leader.
Christians in Syria have thus far been mostly in support of Assad’s regime, fearing that the rule of a new, post-revolutionary government might bring persecution, as also Egyptian Copts experienced during Hosni Mubarak’s ouster. Although a bloody dictator, Assad has been preventing religious groups, especially Muslim extremists, from targeting religious minorities, including Syrian Christians, who constitute the largest cluster of Christians in the Middle East.
The bishop, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said that the Christian community is fearful that the fall of Assad’s regime will bring sectarian violence like it did in Iraq, where over 300,000 or more Christians were forced to leave the country after the U.S.-led invasion.
“We Christians want to stay in Syria and live peacefully and with everybody and continue our presence serving our country and our people,”
he told ACN. But the insecurity and violence encourages them to leave. Christians have also been known to be caught in the crossfire between the rebels and the government forces, like all Syrian citizens in areas where the fighting takes place.
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The U.S. government is calling for the release of Hkalam Samson, a prominent Baptist leader, who was arrested by the Myanmar military. State Department spokesman, Ned Price, told reporters recently, “We are extremely concerned for his well-being and safety and encourage our partners and allies to join us in calling on the regime to drop all charges and immediately and unconditionally release Rev. Samson.”
We praise God that the U.S. government is listening to the cries of the persecuted. Please pray for Hkalam Samson's safety!
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Omar is a college student who grew up in a conservative Shia Muslim family. As a book seller, he accepted Christ into his life when he connected with a church organizing at a book tent in 2019. Though initially accepted by his immediate family, one of his family members was a leader in a terrorist group and threatened to kill him. Omar was even beaten while distributing Bibles. He fled town, but needed help from ICC to start a new life and worship in safety. Please continue to pray for Omar as he bravely shares the Gospel!
Thanking you Lord Jesus for unshaken faith of persiguted brother Thanking for the help rendered by ICC We Pray to give victory over the enyme Let your power. Glory and love manifested in the brother's Life and ICC mission meet all their needs meraculasly Amen
Christ Jesus will strengthen him amen