Damascus: Syrian Christians gathered for Christmas Eve services on Tuesday, marking the first celebration of the holiday since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The event serves as an early test of the new rulers of Syria who have promised to safeguard the rights of the country’s religious minorities.
The Lady of Damascus Church in the capital hosted the service under heavy security, with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forces stationed outside to prevent any violence. Attendees lit candles and sang hymns, their voices filling the church in a poignant moment of unity amid uncertainty.
However, inter-religious tensions remain high. Hours before the service, hundreds of protesters rallied in Damascus, condemning the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama’s countryside. Protesters carried wooden crosses and chanted slogans of solidarity, calling for justice and equal rights.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, HTS’s de facto leader, has pledged safety for Christians and other minorities under his rule. Sharaa seeks to portray a more inclusive image, promising no reprisals against the Assad regime’s Alawite leadership or repression of minorities.
