Damascus: Syrian Christians attended their first Sunday services since the sudden toppling of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime just one week ago, marking a pivotal moment for the newly ascendant Islamist rulers, who have promised to safeguard minority rights. As the Islamist faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized control last week, it aimed to reassure Syria’s diverse communities, including Christians, that their way of life would not be threatened under the new rule.

Sunday morning, the streets of Bab Touma, a predominantly Christian district in Damascus, were filled with worshippers returning from church. Yet, despite the outward signs of normalcy, some remained anxious. "We're scared, we're still scared," admitted Maha Barsa, a local resident who had just attended Mass at the Greek Melkite Catholic church. Although she had stayed home for much of the past week since HTS took power, she acknowledged that her fear stemmed more from the uncertainty of the situation than any actual threats, remarking, "Things are ambiguous."

Syria, a nation long home to ethnic and religious minorities such as Christians, Armenians, Kurds, and Shiite Muslims, has seen many of its citizens deeply concerned about the implications of Islamist rule. These fears have been especially pronounced among those who endured Syria's brutal 13-year civil war, which saw many minorities worried about their future under a potential Islamist government.

In the coastal city of Latakia, a traditional stronghold of Assad’s regime, Lina Akhras, a parish council secretary at the St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, reflected on the past under Assad’s rule. "Under Assad, we were comfortable in our freedom of belief," she said, adding that the Christian community simply wanted peace and stability. Despite the sudden fall of Assad’s government, Akhras expressed cautious optimism, noting that HTS had made efforts to reach out to local religious leaders. "God willing, we will return to our previous lives and live in our beautiful Syria," she said.


The protection of Syria’s minorities was a significant topic of discussion at a recent diplomatic meeting in Jordan, which included representatives from Arab nations, Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated support for an inclusive government that would respect minority rights and prevent Syria from becoming a haven for terrorist organizations.

Meanwhile, Syrian students returned to school on Sunday, as the new leadership decreed the reopening of schools in a sign of a return to normalcy. Despite this, some parents chose to keep their children home due to lingering uncertainty. At a boys’ high school in Damascus, students celebrated the flag of the new authorities being raised, with one student expressing relief: "I’m optimistic and very happy. I used to walk through the streets afraid I’d be drafted into the army or stopped at a checkpoint."

Syria’s new leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, faces an enormous task of rebuilding the country after the devastating civil war that killed hundreds of thousands, devastated cities, and displaced millions. As Syria takes tentative steps towards reconstruction, foreign powers, including neighboring countries, continue to reassess their stance on the country in the wake of Assad's fall, which was supported by Iran and Russia.

Sharaa, also known by his rebel name Abu Mohammed al-Golani, is the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group that ousted Assad from power. HTS, once linked to al-Qaeda, is designated a terrorist organization by many nations and is under U.N. sanctions. U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen expressed hope that sanctions would soon be lifted to help facilitate the country’s recovery, saying, "We hope to see a quick end to sanctions, so that we can rally around rebuilding Syria."