Syria’s Christians in the Post-Assad Era: A Call for Justice and Inclusion

WASHINGTON — In early June 2025, Coptic Solidarity, a global initiative for religious freedom and minority rights, hosted a high-level panel to discuss Syria’s transition after the fall of Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024. Among the keynote speakers was Bassam Ishak, a prominent Syrian Christian leader and advocate for civil rights.

A Historical Reckoning

In his speech, Ishak addressed the complex legacy of Christian life under Assad. While portrayed by the regime as a “protected minority,” Christians lived in a system that denied equal citizenship, where security came at the cost of freedom.

“They were protected—but in Assad’s big Syrian prison,” Ishak stated.

Opportunities and Dangers in the Transitional Period

Under transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa, there are signs of hope—such as symbolic gestures of pluralism and inclusion. But Ishak warned that symbolism is not enough. He outlined four critical challenges facing Christian communities: Security gaps in areas where state authority is weak; Lack of representation, especially in local police and governance; Barriers to refugee return, due to instability and discrimination; Absence of legal guarantees for religious and property rights.

“Without constitutional protections, Christians risk slow ethnic cleansing,” he said. 

A Shift Toward Civic Engagement

Despite ongoing threats, Ishak highlighted a hopeful transformation: 

A growing number of young Syrian Christians are engaging in interfaith dialogue, leading NGOs, and drafting inclusive local charters. 

“This shift from a defensive minority to active citizenship is one of the most hopeful signs of this transitional moment,” he noted. 

Four Recommendations for the Future

To ensure Christians are not left behind in the new Syria, Ishak proposed; Constitutional guarantees for religious freedom and equal rights; Local-level political inclusion for minorities;  International support for refugee return and civil society; A national reconciliation process that includes Christian narratives.

A Closing Plea for Justice

Ishak ended with a moving quote from a young Christian woman in northeast Syria: 

“We don’t want to hear about democracy anymore. Armed conflict has made it irrelevant to our situation now. Tell them we yearn for justice, equality, and the dignity that God bestowed on us all.”