This is how all the lands that are today considered part of the “Islamic world” became Muslim. It was not done by “wisdom and beautiful preaching” (Qur’an 29:46), but by force, threats and intimidation. See The History of Jihad for the full story.
“After an ‘isolated’ incident… Christian existential anxiety in Maaloula, Syria,” translated from “بعد حادثة «فرديّة»… قلق مسيحيّ وجوديّ في معلولا السوريّة” ACI MENA, December 29, 2024:
Since the change in the ruling class in Syria, the Christians of Maaloula have been experiencing existential anxiety that has worsened after an incident that occurred between two Christian and Muslim families. So what is the story? And what is the reality of Christians today in this ancient Christian town?
A church source who preferred to remain anonymous told “ACI MENA” that the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad, after regaining control of Maaloula about 10 years ago, prevented some of the town’s Muslims from returning to it because of their cooperation with the Al-Nusra Front in the killing, kidnapping, and vandalism of Christians and their churches. However, after the fall of the regime, these people returned and entered the town, and some of them exerted pressure on the Christians under the pretext that the Christians had worked to displace them.
The source explained: “Some of the deportees caused problems, and Christians were considered part of the previous regime, knowing that their joy at its fall exceeded that of others; most of our youth emigrated due to compulsory conscription or reserve service requests.”
Regarding the attacks on Christians, the source said: “Threats began against five Christian families to seize their agricultural lands, and some Christians were asked to leave their homes and the town or they would be killed. The reason for these threats was either an old vendetta or some Christians were accused of carrying weapons and joining the ‘National Defense.’”
The source added: “The threats turned into action when Bashar Shahin’s house and his family’s house and the cafeteria he owned were seized, despite some Muslims defending them. After mediation, he was allowed to take his belongings from the house. Two houses were also broken into and robbed. There are also other types of harassment and provocations, such as shooting near a priest while he was distributing Christmas gifts to children in a kindergarten, in addition to Christians informing a priest that they had been spat upon.
The source confirmed that the one in charge in Maaloula is a person who belongs to the Turkish Suleiman Shah faction (the name of the grandfather of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire). Therefore, there were appeals from the people of Maaloula and its church officials for the intervention of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.
He explained: “The Christians of Maaloula do not feel reassured; with the absence of the state, upon whose presence we relied, security has disappeared, especially since weapons have been completely withdrawn from the Christians and left in the hands of others. We are advocates of peace and we want to build Maaloula hand in hand with all its residents.”
He continued: “The major incident occurred at dawn on December 26, when Abdul Salam Diab and his father stormed Ghassan Zakhem’s farm with the aim of stealing it, which resulted in the death of Abdul Salam. But unfortunately, it was portrayed as a religious issue and that Christians wanted to attack and kill Muslims, knowing that it was a purely individual issue.”
The source concluded by pointing out that this incident was the spark for many Christian families to leave the town out of fear, due to the lack of a force to protect them and ensure their safety. Out of about 325 Christian families, about 80 families left. The incident also led to the seizure of four Christian homes belonging to relatives of Zakham.
Regarding the details of the December 26 incident, an informed source from the Christian residents of Maaloula told ACI Mina: “Before Christmas, young men from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham insisted on Christians decorating their homes to avoid any problems, but things did not go normally.”
He continued: “At dawn on December 26, the surveillance cameras at Ghassan Zakhem’s farm indicated the presence of masked men who broke the lock on the farm’s door. Ghassan and his son Sarkis headed to the location immediately and asked the members of the security committees to accompany them, but they did not come despite their promise to come.”
The source confirmed that after the farm owners arrived at the location, an exchange of fire took place between the two parties, resulting in the death of the person who attacked the land (Abdul Salam). Ghassan turned himself in to Father Fadi Al-Barkil, who in turn handed him over to the competent authorities in Damascus to prevent any disastrous strife.
MD Anthony says
Assad was the only protector of minorities including Christisn in in Syiria .
Assad is out and Muslim organized crime is in.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
It’s too bad the Assads had to be anti-Israel. Otherwise, they could have been another Emirates like country, where Christians, Kurds, Druze and Alawites could all have lived together w/ the sunnis, and the latter would have known that it was in their own best interests to behave, just like their counterparts in the Emirates
abu taleb says
Of course, what else can we expect form muslims. When they have the power, expect to mercy from them to the non muslims. That is what Muhammad did and that is what Quran says.
As a conclusion, never trust a muslim completely.
somehistory says
Syria is turning into another Nigeria.
Hank says
I don’t think there will ever be peace there until Christians expel Muslims from former Christian lands.
“weapons have been completely withdrawn from the Christians and left in the hands of others.”
Then they should re-arm themselves now that Jihadist’s are trying to turn it into another Muslim enclave. Maybe the IDF is overloaded with weapons captured from Hamas as they expel Islamists from Lebanon
“Two houses were also broken into and robbed. There are also other types of harassment and provocations, such as shooting near a priest while he was distributing Christmas gifts to children in a kindergarten, in addition to Christians informing a priest that they had been spat upon.”
Muslims turning the place into a den of robbers.
Wellington says
The fact that a tyrant and killer like Assad was actually better protection for Christians than the most devout of Muslims speaks volumes, that is for all who can still hear.
Tim gallagher says
Sounds like just a continuation of the history of vicious, intolerant islam, 1400 years of Muslims grabbing power and treating non Muslims like crap. And yet we non Muslims go on treating Muslims decently, which they do not deserve. Only Hungary, Poland, Czech republic and Slovakia have it right. They say, right, you treat non Muslims like crap, then bugger off. No Muslims here thank you. Unless Muslims change their attitude, they should shut out of all non Muslim countries.
Patriot64 says
I’m great full that I live in country that allows me to own a firearm so I can protect myself and my family from those who want to do US harm.
James Hoagland says
The country doesn’t allow you. It is an inalienable right from the Creator. The founders recognized this and the people rose up to claim it after the British were defeated. It is the Second Amendment and needs to be defended everyday.
JS says
I’ve watched videos on YouTube – although there are not many, that show these Muslim groups torturing and beheading Christians in Syria. I think they’ve intentionally kept it quiet so they can continue to rule the land and have the U.S. and West fund them. Remember, the U.S. is the largest funder of Syria.
Anonymous says
Whether it’s Hindus in Bangladesh or Christians in Syria, Islamists after the fall of government and regimes have found a way to threaten the minorities and forcefully convert or kill them and loot many of them. This pattern is same regardless of the region of the Muslim majority countries. These people have no sympathy towards the minorities and considers them second class citizens according to their holy Qurap. Religion of peace strikes everywhere
James Hoagland says
Not surprised to hear this. Property ownership must be very tenuous for non-mu-slims as they are second class citizens. It must be relatively easy to expropriate property and to show domination especially not to be out-dominated by marxist ideology. Don’t take muslim thought as something worthy to study or emulate as it is from beginning to end demoniacal.
Tony Rice says
About time some Muslims are removed from non- Muslim countries, they can’t deny the principle.