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World Watch Monitor
World News

God wants me in Aleppo until the end, says pastor

The church leader, known only as Alim for security reasons, says his church is building bridges with non-Christians and Muslims are seeing Jesus in dreams.

Speaking with World Watch Monitor, an organisation reporting on the persecution of Christians around the world, Alim said: "If all the Christians left Syria, the situation wouldn't be the same.

"Christians maintain a balance in society, it is essential for us to stay."

PA

Alim said his church in a government-held area of Aleppo has been helping up to 2,000 vulnerable families get food and afford rent, medical expenses and other essentials.

He said: "I feel a calling of God. He wants me to be here till the end, as long as there is work to do in Aleppo.

"It wasn't an easy decision. My wife has the same calling. I tried to persuade her to move to a safer area. She didn't want to; she wants to be with me."

Syrian and Russian forces are said to be bombing eastern parts of Aleppo on virtually a daily basis while western areas of the city are regularly shelled by rebel forces.

Aid to the Church in Need

Alim went on to say: "We have passed through very difficult situations, we don't know why we feel such a peace and hope!

"I think God is giving us double grace. That's why I don't feel 'seduced' to leave - although doors are open for me"

Alim told World Watch Monitor the conflict has forced him to leave his home and stay with his parents, while a relative died when a rocket hit close to his apartment.

He said his church has been visiting people arriving to his part of Aleppo from other neighbourhoods of the city to stay in schools, mosques and other buildings.

Referring to a change in the way locals view the church, Alim added: "What we see and hear is often heart-breaking. Yet, these people now see what the Church does.

"There is now a greater appreciation for its role. Before, people reacted differently towards the church. Before, as we were distributing food, we heard people saying, 'Here come the infidels'. Now, people are different."

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