The rules of good taste suggest that Christmas may not be the best time of year to bring up the uncomfortable subject of religious persecution and the continued slaughter of Christians on our doorstep in Iraq.

Or perhaps it is best, now more than ever, to talk about it.

At a time of year when Christians remember the sacrifice made by Christ, let’s remember the sacrifices made by our neighbors and celebrate secular Syria.

When Father Christof, a young and energetic priest and keen musician addressed his congregation of over 400 mostly Iraqi Christians during mass at the Ibrahim al-Khalil Church in Jaramana last month, he shared in the grief of many of his flock who have sought refuge and safe haven here in Syria after persecution and violence made their lives untenable in their homeland.

After all, it was just over a month ago that two colleagues in the clergy, Fathers Waseem Speh and Thaer Sad Alla - close friends with whom he studied theology - were among 44 killed during a hostage-turned-massacre at the Syrian-Catholic Church in Baghdad as they held morning mass.

That horrifying event was closely followed by a string of coordinated attacks at churches and homes across Baghdad throughout November, killing and injuring dozens more.

Attacks on Christians have continued with increasing savagery since 2003 and now, Christians fearing for their lives, are preparing for an exodus.

Christian leaders, amongst them the Syrian Archbishop in London, Athanasios Dawoodothers, say Christianity has run its course in Iraq and are urging Iraqi Christians to leave. Pronto.

Many of those that do leave arrive here in Syria, either permanently or with plans to migrate further to the US, Canada, Australia and other countries.

For now, though, the majority is here, waiting anxiously for news of their friends and families in Iraq, for the most part having given up on hope of returning home. The UNHCR says at least two new families arrived in Syria last month, citing religious persecution as Christians in their application for refugee status.

At the Ibrahim al-Khalil church, the congregation have been praying hard for the health and safety of their loved ones. Following the October massacre, hundreds of mourners gathered for an all night vigil at the church, lighting candles as they waited for more news of the fate of those they knew.

Father Christof says he can understand the urge to leave, with persecution and migration mounting a campaign of extinction of Christians in the region, but unlike his colleagues, he advises Iraqis to stay.
“They should not leave Iraq,” he said.

“We should not leave our land to the wolves of fanaticism.”

“I understand that they leave because the fear is too much, and I have been very impressed with the strength with which they have faced this fear."

"At times like this we must remember what Jesus said: ‘Do not fear, I am with you until the end of the end’.”

Here Christians are safe to practise their religion within the strong secular walls of religious tolerance that has made the country a safe haven for Christians in exile throughout history. With roots here long before the Islamic era, Christians and Muslims have happily coexisted here for centuries. No problem.

How is it that as religious intolerance and violence continue to spread hatred and destruction all around us, this does not spill over Syria's borders?

Syrian by birth, Father Christof says the answer lies in the fact that Syria has a long, strong tradition of tolerance and charity.

“Damascus has a secret,” he says.

“Look inside to feel the answer. We have magic here that allows us to live together – not via the authorities, not by force - but because we know we were born here and live together here.”

"We do so with honest hearts."

Others point to strategic political alignments, as though by doing so the legitimacy of the secular identity of Syria is somehow diminished.

Let’s not look this gift horse in the mouth. If the reasons we can all live in secular peace without fear of religious violence is political, then surely it is good politics?

Some argue religion should play no role in politics, but the realities of this volatile region make the mix far more appealing than the alternative.

Christmas for Christians is a time to remember the sacrifice made by Christ and the chance for all humankind to be reborn.

For others it may be the chance to reflect on the plight of their Christian neighbors and friends and to extend the goodwill that has made secular Syria a success.

Damascus is the city of hospitality, and only fear has the power to close its great doors.
Merry Christmas. Good health. Thanks God.

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