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.
With the end of the Assad regime, there are questions about the possibility of a change of government even in Tehran, which appears increasingly weakened. As Prof. Pejman Abdolmohammadi, professor of Middle East international relations at Trent University, in the new U.S. view of the region, the Houthis and the Shiite militias in Iraq are the next elements of the so-called Iranian "Axis of Resistance" that could be affected
Israeli attacks on the "party of God" have damaged a medieval castle and a Shia shrine in Shamaa, a village near Tyre. The site is dedicated to Shamoun al-Safa, who is none other than the first pontiff of Christianity, and still bears traces of a chapel. To be certain if ancient relics are inside, Israeli forces have to pull back.
This morning the Holy Father met with the president of the Palestinian National Authority for half an hour, the first time in three years. A Vatican press release underlines the “very serious humanitarian situation in Gaza". For the vicar of the Custody, prospects for a ceasefire and a celebration of peace are “very different from last year," even if "great concern" remains for Lebanon and Syria.
The Vicariate of North Arabia promoted a two-day event on the subject, with the participation of Vatican and religious personalities from Asia. Sister Milagros Sandoval: a ‘stimulating’ experience full of ‘challenges’. Bishop Berardi: women ‘essential’ for the ‘prosperity of the mission’. In times ‘of darkness’ this encounter becomes ‘light of hope’.
From Istanbul, the director of the Dominican Study Institute spoke to AsiaNews with a mixture of "exaltation" and "surprise” at the fall of the Assad regime. Turkey has denied rumours that it was directly involved in the regime’s overthrow, highlighting the "need for a transition". For Iran’s Khamenei, the fall is part of a "plan" by the US and Israel (and Turkey, without naming it).
