Islamic fundamentalism

The provincial of the Franciscans custodians of the Holy Sites speaks with AsiaNews about the festivities once again without pilgrims, whose return is ‘linked to the end of the conflict’. The focus is on events in neighbouring Syria, amid ‘suspended’ or ‘moderately positive’ judgements. The Custody ‘increasingly international’ with ‘about sixty’ countries present. The ‘debt’ of Western Christians with their brothers in the Holy Land.

Card. Sako speakes of Iraqi Christians' preparations for the festivities as they watch events unfold across teh border with trepidation. The threat of a new Isis, and teh need to be ‘prudent’ and evaluating ‘facts’ not speeches. they need for a Syrian state based ‘on citizenship’ and fight against ‘all sectarianism’. The Christmas wish for a document between the Pope and the Shiite leaders of Iran and Iraq on the example of ‘human brotherhood’.

In Damascus, threatening words against the Christian minority are spotted in a car. In Hama, someone using a Kalashnikov fired at the Greek Orthodox archbishopric. In a Christian village, a couple was killed during a "burglary" that ended with the man being beheaded. Source tells AsiaNews that Greek Orthodox are targeted because they are considered close to the Russians. Trappist nuns of A'zer note that in their area there is respect, but warn that releasing common criminals has created problems. Bishop Mourad: Beware of news on social media.

They are 48-year-old Mohammed Farik Amin and 47-year-old Mohammed Nazir Lep, who spent - without trial - 18 years in the Cuban prison. They will now have to serve five more after the proceedings in which they pleaded guilty and cooperated with justice. They will undergo a rehabilitation programme.

Aleppo's parish priests sits down with AsiaNews: in some cases women are asked to wear the veil or drivers to remove symbols such as the cross, but there are also examples of solidarity. And calls from Muslims to rebuild the nation ‘together’. The call for a ‘democratic and civil state’ in which all ‘citizens’ have equal ‘rights and duties’.

Syrian Christians wait with bated breath fearing the introduction of Sharia law and waiting for a new constitution. The Maronite Patriarch and the bishops of the various Churches defend the idea of citizenship and equal rights. The self-criticism of the Maronite Archbishop of Damascus who admits a ‘lack of courage’ in ‘telling the truth’ about the atrocities committed by the deposed regime.

Leader al-Jawlani spoke from the historic Umayyad mosque. UN Security Council meeting today. The apostolic nuncio calls for the lifting of sanctions, a ‘burden’ that ‘weighs on the poor people’. Fr Karakach's testimony to AsiaNews: ‘We hope that what happened will unblock the political situation’. Christians ‘citizens who have rights and duties equal to all’.

In a message on social media, Monsignor Jallouf denied the ‘news’ that had been spread online that Hts had entrusted him with the leadership of the city. The prelate speaks of ‘lies’ and ‘shame’, reiterating that ‘meddling in politics is not the Church's mission’. To AsiaNews, the parish priest speaks of a ‘disoriented and confused’ community that must be ‘encouraged’. Rebels at the gates of Homs.

Fr. Bahjat Karakach speaks to AsiaNews from the northern city now controlled by opposition groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham. The anti-Assad front is targeting Hama, while in the conquered territories it promises protection for minorities. The parish is the distribution point for aid, but resources are limited. A people ‘exhausted by years of suffering and stalemate’.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are forced to pull back From Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Tel Rifaat from advancing pro-Turkish forces. HTS promises of "inclusiveness" find few takers. Meanwhile, government forces and allied militias are trying to push back rebel advance towards Hama.

Hundreds of students have taken to the streets in recent hours to demonstrate against the attack on the diplomatic representation, with serious damage to the building. Earlier there had been demonstrations in India against the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in the neighbouring country. The two governments tighten control and security measures.

Yesterday the Pontiff accepted the prelate's request for resignation, appointing auxiliary Msgr Ilgit as apostolic administrator. Satisfaction for the growth of a reality ‘of Turkish language and culture’. The earthquake of February 2023 still an open wound, need to rebuild from ‘living stones’. The testimony of refugees and displaced persons who broaden horizons on a ‘cultural, spiritual’ level.