Members of the clergy included Father Ibrahim Faltas, deputy custodian of the Holy Land and Father Rami Elias, SJ, in addition to Orthodox, Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Anglican and Syriac Orthodox Church. Three patriarchs of the Antiochian See did not attend the meeting; only their representatives were present. 

They raised important matters such as democracy and equality in Syria. The meeting’s outcome was dubious. Christian leaders felt uneasy about the future, as Ahmad al-Sharaa made no solid commitments. He recalled a time when he lived in a Christian community in Damascus and expressed his intentions of implementing a civil legislative system of governance.

Father Elias states, “It is ambiguous — we cannot discern his true intentions. There are no guarantees, and we remain in limbo. In my opinion, if the United States and European nations maintain their current stance on Syria, we could see the establishment of a civil state, possibly with an Islamic but moderate tone. However, we will be powerless if these nations shift their position.”

Religious minorities are looking for assurance after the takeover by a coalition led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham. The Syrian civil war has been going on for 14 years, and it has disrupted the country’s religious, ethnic and political strategies. Al-Sharaa’s government faces the challenge of reviving peace and order in regions where vandalism and sectarian attacks have triggered protests. Thousands of Alawite Syrians also protested on the streets following an attack on one of their shrines. A local official from Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham denounced violent incidents, but activists are doubtful that the new administration can protect minority groups. 

Source: https://www.christiantoday.com