AsiaNews met two families from Aleppo who talked about their life in a time of war and about their future. Economics is behind the war, fuelled by foreign propaganda. For the Muslim head of the family, the “opposition revolt is only the rancour of a gang of criminals. For the Christian, big powers are profiting from the war. Francis is a source of consolation.

Aleppo (AsiaNews) – Two Syrian families from Aleppo, one Christian and one Muslim, spoke to AsiaNews, through an acquaintance, Mgr Georges Abou Khazen, Apostolic Vicar of the Latins.

During the meeting, they called for peace in Syria and security for its inhabitants. They also want an end to fighting between extremist factions fuelled by “anti-Syrian media propaganda.” Only “The pope’s messages are a source of comfort and hope” for a people in distress.

Although their religion is not the same, the two families spoke about their life in wartime. Reiterating the friendship between Christians and Muslims, they insisted that Syria’s conflict is not ethnic or confessional. For them, religion is a pretext for economic and hegemonic interests in the Middle East.

In agreeing to talk, they asked that their real names not be used for security reasons. Giries Na'oum, 45, heads a Christian family of five (three children). Saleh A'kkad, 51, heads the Muslim family of six (four children). The families are neighbours.

Speaking about his family’s daily life, Saleh described a situation of “constant panic, because of shelling and bombs." This has been compounded, Giries added, “by power outages, water shortages, widespread insecurity and economic hardships.”

What both want the most is “a return to life as it was before 2011," when war broke out. For Saleh, “the so-called opposition revolt is only the rancour of a gang of criminals." His family is waiting “impatiently” for the end of the war “to restart their life with peace and quiet.”

Speaking about coexistence between Christians and Muslims in Syria, the two men insist on the close relationship of the past, which war has not yet broken.

"We have always lived together with Christians,” Saleh explained. “It is not possible to conceive of a country like Syria without Christians. There are strong brotherly ties between us that keep us united.” Giries agrees. “We have been used to living with Muslims since our childhood.”

Addressing the peoples of Europe and the United States, Saleh said, “What is happening in Syria is not a revolution, but the wholesale destruction of a country. Syria must again play its role as a hub for intercommunal co-existence, especially between Christians and Muslims.”

“Stop believing in anti-Syrian media propaganda,” he added, “because we love our country, our president [Bashar Assad] and we oppose a name imposed from outside." For this reason, he welcomes Russia’s intervention, because "it will shorten the crisis.”

Giries Na'oum echoes those thoughts. "We want Christians all over the world to know what is happening in Syria without misrepresentation,” he said. "This war is for the profit of the big powers.”

“So far, more than half the Christians of Aleppo have left,” he added. “If the war continues, there will be no more Christians. Everyone is thinking about emigrating.”

“Will it be possible to help those who remain in Aleppo to travel?” he wonders. “This is a crucial question to look at in the future. Our greatest wish is that someone intercede with your governments to end the war."

Both hope to see “their country recover and its enemies expelled”. They hope to find against the “security that once existed” so that “ we can live together without conflict.”

Given the situation, Pope Francis’s action is crucial. He is the only voice of peace and justice in a world where ideology, conflict, money and power seem to prevail.

For Saleh, "The pope’s messages are a source of comfort and hope because we here in Syria, Muslims and Christians, have always lived without differences and divisions."

“Few talk about peace,” said Giries. “Pope Francis has been asking for it incessantly and loudly. He calls for peace in Syria and throughout the Middle East. His is a very important voice. It shows his closeness to the people in this moment of distress, providing support in daily life. It is a source of hope and comfort for the people". (DS)

• syria
• witnesses
• civil
• war