By Alexandra Nyoni
On Monday, 8 April, prominent Christian Lebanese Forces (LF) politician Pascal Suleiman was declared dead by the Lebanese Army, supposedly after being kidnapped by a group of Syrians. According to official army statements, which are currently being refuted by LF leadership, Mr Suleiman was forced off the road while driving on Sunday evening, kidnapped, and killed, before his body was transported across the Syrian border and later discovered near the city of Homs. The LF is disputing this series of events and is accusing Hezbollah of carrying out a politically motivated killing. Four Syrians have been detained in relation to the case which has once again brought the Syrian refugee crisis to centre stage, sparking tensions between the local Lebanese population and the large Syrian refugee population. The United Nations has registered approximately 800,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon; however, the government suggests the number of Syrians residing in Lebanon is closer to two million. In response to Mr Suleiman’s murder, people were destroying cars and motorbikes with Syrian licence plates and threatening violence if Syrians do not return to their country.
The push to repatriate Syrian refugees is not isolated to Lebanon. On 14 April, it was reported that the island of Cyprus will suspend asylum applications for Syrians, citing a massive increase in arrivals due to heightened volatility in the Middle East. Thus far in April, 1,000 Syrians have been documented arriving in Cyprus, and the Cypriot government does not have the resources to support them. Along with the suspension of applications, Cyprus is urging the European Union to rethink its classification of Syria in order to deem it safe for repatriation. As Syria enters its 14th year of civil conflict, and with the recent escalation of fighting between Israel and Hamas spilling over into Syria, it seems unlikely their classification will change. However, if one analyses the situation of the Church in Syria, taking into account the great exodus of Syrians following the start of civil conflict in 2011, perhaps the Lord has used this time to build up Syrian believers and converts to return to Syria and rebuild the nation.
As Syrians were scattered, many to Lebanon or Europe, they had the opportunity to come to know Christ. The growing discontent with Syrians in their host nations could once again be a scattering, but this time leading them back home to Syria. Many Syrian refugees express a desire to return to their home country, however, they have spent so long in host countries, and have built a type of comfort zone for themselves outside of Syria, that it is difficult to actually move back. Perhaps recent events are being used by the Lord to bring Syrians home. In Acts 8, we’re told of a great persecution scattering believers all throughout the land. Acts chapter 8 verse 4 says that wherever they went, they preached the Word. Often the Lord uses such circumstances to bring people to a place they would not have chosen on their own, but it is within these situations that they either come to know Christ or can be witnesses for Him in new contexts. Testimonies from Syrians who have come to Christ because of war tell of a people who have a strong desire to go back home and transform Syria into a place full of dedicated, faith-driven followers of Christ. Perhaps this increased ‘persecution’ against them is the catalyst for Syria’s revival.
Please join us in praying for the following:
- For peace to reign in Syria and for the safe return of all those who will go back
- For Syrian believers to use this opportunity to help grow and support their native Church
- For the global Body of Christ to continue to pray for and come alongside the Middle Eastern Church as a whole during this tumultuous time
