Christian organisations working in the Middle East are praising God that church bells are again ringing in Raqqa, the sixth largest city in Syria. Three church buildings in what was the capital of the Caliphate of so-called Islamic State from 2014 -17 were handed back to the Christian community recently. They had been taken care of by other organisations since Raqqa was liberated
George Makeen is Ministry Content Advisor of SAT-7 Arabic, part of the SAT-7 Christian TV network broadcasting across North Africa and the Middle East. He said: ‘The fact that people can now rebuild their churches and ring their bells is a sign of hope in a place that suffered much. SAT-7 is aware of the good work churches are doing in Syria; the ecumenical spirit is growing, and different denominations are working together to support Christian families. Churches are providing education, giving hope to young people.
‘We also hope that this situation will last and that a lasting peace will help development in the region. Kurdish Iraq is a good example of what may be achieved. The Kurds are accepting religious minorities, and the Syrian government is also trying to support Christians. In the longer term we like to think that Christians may become agents of peace and reconciliation.’
Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK & Ireland commented: ‘The last decade has seen hundreds of thousands of Christians flee Syria and it’s not hard to see why: the civil war, the rise of Islamic State and radical Islamists. But for those that have stayed, there is so much to celebrate and do. The Christians of Aleppo played a major part in offering hope, support and refuge to all during last year’s earthquakes.
‘Open Doors supports and encourages churches in Syria to be places of care and witness, looking forward to the day when they will welcome thousands of believers back to their homes.’
