IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – At his home in the city of Idlib, northwestern Syria, Jirjis watches the New Year’s celebrations on TV. He is not a single case, however.
Jirjis Asaad, 32, a pseudonym for a Christian man living in the city of Idlib, says he feels sorrow as he watches on TV the whole world celebrating the New Year while he dares not even to do that at his home fearing that he be tipped off. His neighbor is a an affiliate to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front).
This gloomy situation is not restricted to the New Year’s celebrations. Among others, Asaad cannot observe any Christian festivities in Idlib fearing that could bring the wrath of radical groups.
In Idlib, contrary to other Syrian territories, Christmas and New Years’ celebrations are not observed. Christians living in both the city and the countryside dare not celebrate or show any kind of a festivity that signals such celebrations. They are fearful to be harassed or even killed under “idolatry”.
Asaad says, “When HTS opened the St Anna Church and held a religious festival there, it was a propaganda to improve their image in The West notably, especially since the church in the city of Idlib is at the disposal of [Abu Muhammad] al-Julani who turned it into a Sharia Law center.”
Late in August, the St Anna Church in the village of al-Yacubiyeh in Idlib was opened where religious festivities were observed for the very first time in 11 years.
Observers and activists said that was a gesture by al-Julani to polish his image in The West introducing himself as a moderate figure not an extremist one.
Extremist factions
Reports say there are 200 Christians were said to be living in Idlib up to 2021, mostly elderly people. They were living in Idlib city, Jisr al-Shughur, al-Yacubiyeh, Qunaya, Jdayde, Halluz and al-Ghassaniah, most of whom are from the Greek Orthodox denomination.
However, prior to the Syrian crisis, there were nearly 10.000 Christians living in Idlib.
Hana Daoud, a pseudonym for a Christian in Idlib city, says all Christian festivities and religious celebrations passed with us not even daring to exchange “our holly greetings.”
“There is no difference from 2021. Extremism and takfir prejudices against us still exist. They claim that they protect Christians, but we cannot openly practice our rituals and festivities; is this a protection?”
An administrator in the Idlib Judiciary justifies not allowing Christians to observe their religious rituals and festivities by the presence of radical religious factions that still operate under HTS umbrella, notably those migrant ones embracing al-Qaeda ideology.
If HTS allowed Christians in Idlib and its countryside to observe their religious rituals and festivities, that could stir migrant and fundamentalist affiliates – such as the Turkestan Islamic Party and Uzbeks – against Christians, the administrator said.
In justifying such measures, the administrator says it is very hard to protect the Christians in case they openly celebrate their rituals and festivities. Extremists still believe Christians’ “properties and souls” can be taken.
The opening of St Anna Church is a hard proof to this where HTS deployed tens of its members to protect the festivity, the administrator said.
Intimidation
The administrator in the Idlib Judiciary asserts that Christians – notably the elderly ones – are fearful to go on the streets and go to the souk close to HTS members and migrants affiliates. “They are prejudiced against by takfir dubs and threats they hear.”
The two churches in the two villages of al-Yacubiyeh and that of Qunaya that were opened in late August are closed down. There are two others in Jdayde and two in the city of Idlib.
Darin Suleiman, 28, a pseudonym of a Christian young woman from al-Yacubiyeh in the countryside of Jisr al-Shughur, says they had observed no celebrations or festivities since 2013. “For 10 years we have not been able to put Christmas trees or see pictures of Santa Clause,” she said.
Darin told North Press in 2017 she was arrested over a Facebook post reading, “Glory to God in heaven and peace and security prevail land,” with a picture of her and her mother.
She said her arrest was justified under “Encouraging Christianity that contravenes Dhimmi [non-Muslims who legally live under Islamic rule] rights as they claim.”
After a two-month arrest, Suleiman was released by mediators from her village. “Since that time, we no longer have been able to observe our festivities, even on social media outlets.”