Church leaders in Syria have met with Islamist rebel groups now controlling the country, amid fears of persecution and disruptions to Christian life.
The meeting, held at a Franciscan church in Aleppo, came after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Chaldean Bishop Antoine Audo called the talks a "very positive step" towards building trust, with the rebels vowing that Christian traditions, prayers, and mixed-gender church schools would be respected. He shared with Agenzia Fides that the rebel groups are attempting to build trust by “respecting our traditions and our prayer".
Bishop Antoine also emphasised the unique role of Arab Christians in history, reminding the rebels of the long-standing relationship between Muslim Arabs and Christians, and stressing that Christians should not be treated as second-class citizens.
He told Agenzia Fides: "I told them that we, as Arab Christians, represent a unique reality in history and in the world. I recalled some examples of the history of Muslim Arabs with Christians and the contribution of Christians to this history. I added that the status of the dhimmi [non-Muslim members of a state guided by Islamic law] can be interpreted both negatively and positively, that Christians cannot be second-class citizens and that we must work together. They seemed very interested in these considerations."
However, watchdogs continue to warn of ongoing risks. Humanitarian aid meant for Christians has been stolen, and curfews and shortages are leaving many feeling vulnerable. Syria's Christian population has plummeted from 1.5 million to just 300,000 after years of war and persecution.
Despite these challenges, Bishop Audo noted that life in Aleppo is slowly returning to normal, with preparations underway for a small-scale Christmas celebration. "There may be no parades or grand events," he said, "but anyone who wants to visit us in our churches and bishoprics during the holidays is more than welcome."