News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

UK-church-leaders-visit-Syria-April-2018-main_article_image.jpg
Giles Fraser/Twitter
World News

Church trip to Syria hours after UK air strike labelled 'nuts'

The meeting was said to mark a sign of solidarity with the country's Christian minority but a decision to press ahead with the trip - hours after UK warplanes struck suspect chemical weapons facilities - was questioned.

One reporter who joined the visit was quoted by the Daily Telegraph as describing the meeting as "nauseating" and the timing as "absolutely nuts".

Priest and columnist Giles Fraser, Christian peer Baroness Cox and former Bishop of Exeter Michael Langrish travelled to the Syria capital on a visit arranged by Anglican vicar Rev Andrew Ashdown.

Writing on Twitter, Rev Fraser said: "With the Grand Mufti of Syria - the top Muslim cleric in Syria - in the astonishing Umayyad Mosque in central Damascus talking about how love is stronger than missiles.

Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Trey Fowler/US Department of Defence/PA Wire

"Very warm greeting despite the bombings."

A military operation by US, UK and France at the weekend (pictured) was discussed during talks between the visiting delegation and Youssef Sabbagh, the speaker of the People's Council of Syria - as well as 20 MPs.

HA Hellyer, a senior research fellow at the Atlantic Council and the Royal United Services Institute in London told the Telegraph: "When British peers and Christian clergy have been to Damascus in the past, they were rightly condemned as presenting an image of appeasement to Assad's regime, and showing him as some sort of protector of Christians, as though Syrian Muslims mattered for nought."

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate