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In pictures: Syrian Christians gather for first Christmas since the fall of Assad regime

Syria's de facto ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa has told Christians and other minority groups that they will be safe in a country run by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, but some remain unconvinced.

A large group of people gather on and around the stairs of an ancient-looking stone convent. In front of the building is a massive illuminated Christmas tree.

Syrian citizens gather outside the Saydnaya Convent on the outskirts of Damascus, 24 December 2024. Source: AAP / Hussein Malla/AP

Syrian Christians attended Christmas Eve services on Tuesday for the first time since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in early December, in an early test of the new Islamist rulers' pledges to protect the rights of the country's religious minorities.

The service was held amid tight security due to concerns of violence against Christian sites, with several pickup cars belonging to the now-ruling Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) parked around the church.
A group of people stand in front of the glow of artificial light. Behind them are several large objects decorated with Christmas lights.
People celebrate Christmas at the Damascus Christmas market on 24 December 2024. Source: Reuters / Mohammed al-Rifai/EPA
The pews of Lady of Damascus Church in Syria's capital filled with a mixed congregation of young and old, holding candles as hymns filled the air and echoed through the church.

Hours before the service, hundreds of protesters in Damascus had gathered to denounce an incident in which a Christmas tree was burned in the northern countryside of Hama governorate in western-central Syria.

Carrying wooden crosses, they chanted: "We are your soldiers, Jesus", "With blood and soul, we sacrifice for Jesus," and "The Syrian people are one."
A large group of people march down a cobblestone street. Two people at the front of the march carry large wooden crucifixes.
Syrian Christians protested in Damascus after a Christmas tree was set on fire in Hama. Source: AAP / Hussein Malla/AP
Protester Laila Farkouh said: "We are protesting to demand our rights and denounce ... The burning of the Christmas tree, and attacks on churches ... We do not accept this."

De facto ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa has told Christians and other groups that they will be safe in a Syria run by his HTS, a former affiliate of al-Qaeda.

Although he is a former leader of the Sunni Muslim Islamist group that considers Christians infidels, Sharaa has quickly traded his olive-green military shirt for business suits in recent appearances.
A man in a black robe, holding a cane, stands in the aisle of a church while other worshippers sit and some stand around him.
Christians attend mass at the Greek Orthodox Convent Saint Takla in Maaloula, around 60km north-east of Damascus, on 24 December 2024. Source: AAP / Leo Correa/AP
Sharaa has told visiting Western officials that HTS will neither seek revenge against the former Assad regime, whose senior figures were drawn mostly from the Alawite sect of Islam, nor repress any other religious minority.

But many Christians remain unconvinced.

The Christmas tree burning was one of several incidents targeting Christians since the fall of the regime.
Two young girls in red dresses with golden borders on the tops sit on a pew inside a church.
Two girls attend mass at the Mariamite Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in Damascus, on 22 December 2024. Source: AAP / Mohammed al-Rifa/EPA
On 18 December, unidentified gunmen opened fire at a Greek Orthodox church in the city of Hama, entering the compound and attempting to destroy a cross, and smashing headstones in a cemetery, the church said in a statement.

In a separate incident, Reuters reporters saw several SUVs driving through Bab Touma, a predominantly Christian neighbourhood of Damascus, blasting out jihadist songs from their speakers.
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3 min read
Published 25 December 2024 12:12pm
Source: Reuters

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