Accounts of peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims. A journey to the city of Aleppo where the fragile ceasefire seems to be enduring. Franciscan friar Fr. Alsabagh says: “I see signs of solidarity and mutual respect between faithful of both religions on a daily basis”.
As the war in Syria rages on and the greats of the land debate the fate of this nation, lives lacerated by pain and deprivation are patiently and resolutely on the mend and bonds based on care, hospitality and devotion are forged, ensuring Christian and Muslim women, men and children do not precipitate into a pit of hopeless desperation.
Fr. Ibrahim Alsabagh, the 45-year-old Syrian parish priest of St. Francis Church in Aleppo and custodian of the monastery, Episcopal vicar and leader of Aleppo’s Latin community, begins his account of daily life in the city by emphasising the bonds between people of different faiths. “In the area in which we live, which is governed by the regular army, Christians and Muslims get on well mostly. Many Christian and Muslim families enjoy friendships that go way back and which have not been damaged or compromised by the war. I see signs of solidarity and mutual respect between faithful of both religions on a daily basis and as Franciscans we tirelessly encourage these. On our part, my four fellow brothers and I care for everyone, regardless of whether they are Christian or Muslim: we rush to provide people with material or spiritual aid and welcome anyone and everyone who knocks at our door, at any time, day or night.”
Life in Aleppo
Ever since the ceasefire started, the situation in the city has changed and living conditions have improved a little: the water supply has been restored, though not in all parts of the city; the electricity is back, at least for an hour or so each day. The bombing has all but stopped but as Fr. Ibrahim says: “because not all groups have respected the ceasefire, missiles can sometimes be seen landing in some parts of the city. No one feels safe: we are in a constant state of alert, for fear that the ceasefire – unanimously considered a sign of hope – could be broken from one minute to the next and that the mass bombings could resume. Sadly, the five-year war has led to widespread poverty. We help in a number of ways: there are food kits to be distributed, medicines to get hold of, sick people that need to be assisted and taken to hospital, elderly and new-born babies who require special care, home that have been damaged by the bombs and need to be repaired. And then there are the wounded hearts that need to be listened to and consoled on a daily basis.”
Signs of hope
According to Fr. Ibrahim, the good relations between Christians and Muslims are particularly encouraging: “I see them as signs of hope for the future of the Syrian people and I constantly invite my parishioners to interpret them in this light. The faithful and I keep on praying for the inhabitants of Aleppo and Syria (and of the rest of the world as well) and we thank the Lord for the good that is done, highlighting the good that is done by Muslims too. For example: Some Muslim families have hosted Christian families whose homes were destroyed by the bombs; there are also Muslims who have looked after the homes of Christians who decided to leave Aleppo temporarily. There have not been many charitable gestures like this but they have occurred and I consider them to be significant. Muslim faithful have shown us solidarity and care. Perhaps some of them felt encouraged seeing us Christians increase our efforts to look after and protect others, regardless of their faith, following the example of the Lord Jesus.”
Some betrayals
Sadly, Fr. Ibrahim pointed out, there have been some painful episodes: “some Muslims who lived peacefully alongside us, have turned out to be anything but friends and brothers during the war: they have revealed a radicalist heart, a double-faced life that no one could have imagined: this greatly saddened Christians who knew them and with whom they had had good relations. We friars support and guide these faithful urging them not to withdraw into their suffering. When individuals (and even entire communities) experience betrayal they easily risk withdrawing into a shell, worrying exclusively about their own wellbeing and their own survival, they become mean. We do everything in our power to ensure feelings of bitterness do not take over. And yet, these very sad episodes do not obfuscate the beautiful communion between Christians and Muslims: I believe Syria’s future can be built on this too.
Pastoral care
During these five years of war and despite difficult conditions, says Fr. Ibrahim with simple pride, “the parish has kept all activities typical of Christian communities around the world going: from catechism courses currently attended by 200 children, to courses for engaged couples. We celebrate daily masses that have a high level of attendance both in St. Francis Church and in the parish’s two succursals. We opened our church’s Holy Door and we keep up to speed With every aspect of the Pope’s magisterium, which we are very grateful for, with the appeals and prayers for Syria. We can feel his support and that of the universal Church.”
Islamic religious leaders
Fr. Ibrahim recalled that the council of heads of the Catholic Church in Aleppo recently visited the council which brings together local Islamic religious leaders: “We spoke with great sincerity for over two hours, dealing with a variety of questions as we have been doing for a while now, whenever we meet. I have noticed that the war has changed people’s attitudes: on the one hand the Muslim world felt a call towards greater sincerity and transparency between thinking, saying and acting; on the other hand, we have become more courageous in announcing the principles of our faith and social doctrine and more determined in seeking – where necessary – the freedom and space required to live peacefully in our country. This journey, this process of dialogue (which I hope will be built on further) is a challenge for everyone. I see the improvement in relations between religious Christian and Muslim leaders as one of the positive fruits of these painful past years.”
