In Syria, churches across the country held their first Sunday services since the unexpected fall of Bashar Assad’s regime, and the atmosphere was filled with a mix of hope and emotion. Some worshipers couldn’t hold back their tears, while others clasped their hands in prayer, thankful for what they hoped would be a fresh start.
One worshiper, Jihad Raffoul, shared his optimism, saying, “They’re promising us that a new government will be formed soon, and hopefully, things will get better now that the tyrant is gone.” Another, Suzan Barakat, added, “Today, we’re praying for a new chapter in Syria’s future.”
In a push to help Syria move forward, the U.N. envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called for an end to Western sanctions, which had been in place for years. These sanctions were a response to Assad’s harsh crackdown on peaceful protests in 2011, which led to the civil war. The sanctions left Syria isolated and economically struggling, but now, with Assad gone, there’s hope for change.
However, the road to rebuilding Syria is far from simple. The new leadership has yet to present a clear plan for how the country will be governed, and the group leading the charge to remove Assad, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is still labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S. Despite this, the U.S. has begun talking directly with them.
Pedersen emphasized that the international community should act quickly to support Syria’s transition. “We’re hoping for an end to the sanctions so that we can begin building Syria again,” he said.
In another sign that Syrians are eager for normalcy, schools in Damascus reopened on Sunday for the first time since Assad’s ouster. At the Nahla Zaidan school in the Mezzah neighborhood, teachers proudly displayed the revolutionary flag. School director Maysoun Al-Ali shared her hopes for the country’s future, saying, “God willing, there will be more development, more security, and more rebuilding in our beloved country.”
Yet, the destruction from years of war remains visible, especially in Syria’s largest cities. Many areas are in ruins, and the sanctions had prevented rebuilding efforts in government-controlled zones. But with Assad out, there’s a renewed hope that things can change.
The U.N. envoy has been meeting with officials from the new interim government, formed by the former opposition forces. This new government is set to rule Syria until March, but there’s a push for elections and a new constitution soon after. “We need a political process that includes all Syrians,” Pedersen said. He also emphasized the importance of justice for the atrocities committed during the war, with many families still searching for loved ones who were detained by Assad’s government.
In a recent meeting with foreign ministers from the U.S., Arab League, Turkey, the European Union, and the U.N., there was a clear message: Syria’s new government must prevent extremist groups from taking over, secure and destroy any remaining chemical weapons, and protect the rights of minorities and women.
For Syria’s Christian community, who make up around 10% of the population, the fall of Assad was a source of fear and uncertainty. Many had fled the country or supported Assad out of concern for their safety. Last Sunday, churches had been closed. “We were scared with everything that was happening,” said Ibrahim Shahin, a Catholic church supervisor. But this Sunday was different: the doors of churches were open again, and the bells rang out.
One Christian resident of Aleppo, Agop Bardakijian, reflected on the changes, saying, “Now, they’re showing more respect for minorities and taking care of us.” The streets of Aleppo felt livelier, with children happily posing in front of Christmas trees, a sign of life returning to normal.
Despite the challenges, including some instances of looting in areas like southeastern Damascus, people are starting to feel a sense of hope for the future. As one resident, Raed, put it, “The revolution should have happened long ago.”
There’s still much to be done, but Syrians are holding on to the belief that better days are ahead.
