Women of Council of Religions and Beliefs condemn suicide attack on Mar Elias Church in Daramsuq

BETH ZALIN, North and East Syria — The Council of Religions and Beliefs in North and East Syria strongly condemned the suicide attack that targeted Mar Elias Church in Daramsuq (Damascus), describing the attack as a crime against humanity and an attempt to ignite sectarian strife.

The statement, issued on 25 June 2025, and read by member of the Women’s Council in the Democratic Islam Conference Kinda Kanaan, called for criminalizing all hate speech, ensuring the protection of religious sites, and holding perpetrators accountable before public opinion to achieve justice and prevent the recurrence of such violations that threaten societal peace and safety.

Speaking to SyriacPress, Kanaan stated:

“As women of the Council of Religions and Beliefs in North and East Syria, we condemn and denounce the terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church. We affirm that this attack was intended solely to provoke discord — we are brothers and sisters. Peace to the souls of the martyrs and healing to the wounded. Our pain is shared, and so is the responsibility.”

Josephine Soumi, head of the Syriac Women’s Union (Huyodo d’Neshe Suryoye b’Suriya, HNSS) in Beth Zalin, also called for accountability, stressing that legal justice must be served to preserve civil peace and the rights of the victims’ families.

Manal Sheikhmous, a member of the Council of Religions and Beliefs, told SyriacPress that “no religion, belief, or law can justify such a terrorist act,” affirming solidarity with fellow citizens and offering prayers for the souls of the martyrs and a speedy recovery for the injured.