Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - A large part of the Syrian society rejects the civil war that is devastating and paralyzing the country. Men and women of good will, of every ethnicity and religion, reject sectarianism, and the perverse logic of a conflict that has forced over two million Syrians to abandon their towns and villages and seek refuge in quieter areas.
Local sources of Fides underline, at this stage of violence, the extraordinary spirit of mutual help among the different communities that make up the mosaic of Syrian society. Christian families evicted from their homes because of violence, have been welcomed by Muslim families; Samnite Muslim families have taken refuge in the house of Alawites; Alawite and Muslim families are welcomed by Christians. Values such as solidarity and hospitality have the upper hand over violence and hatred. Within the Syrian society spontaneous initiatives of solidarity towards the victims of the conflict have been born. In the province of Damascus private homes belonging to wealthy families have been immediately made available for the displaced. Mosques, churches, community halls, have opened their doors. Popular committees composed of volunteers are working hard to serve the disolaced. The artificial barriers, even between "government and opposition", often emphasized by the foreign media, have jumped. In some areas, people's committees of the Syrian Red Crescent, faithful to the state, work with volunteers of coordinating committees of the revolution, without any distinction of religion, community or political affiliation. The aid collected by Muslim associations are distributed to Christians and the aid collected by Christian associations are distributed to Muslims. The pain and suffering unites Syria and brings it back to its original social structure: one based on a social pact that transcends the political configuration.
There are, of course, some exceptions: for example in the city of Nebek, where armed gangs rage out of control, the displaced people of Homs have been declared "undesirable" and pushed away. As Fides sources note, some armed factions and criminal organizations are taking advantage in order to benefit from the chaos: private assets and property are ravaged. All communities, Christians, Muslims, Druze, Alawites, complain violence, destruction, insecurity and instability, and call for a common effort for peace. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 05/07/2012)
