Christians fleeing Syria

Attacks on Christians

One of them I call Paul for security reasons. He has fled the horrors of civil war in Syria, but he is in a particularly difficult situation because he belongs to Syria's Christian minority. Paul believes he will be killed if he returns to Syria. The Christians in Syria are in a desperate situation. Like the rest of the population, they are in the middle of a civil war; a war that spreads fear and terror and has sent millions fleeing.

Picture to the right: Refugee children from Syria that Henrik Due Jensen visited in Jordan in October 2013

Paul tells me that it is the Christians who are paying the price for the fighting going on in the Muslim world. He tells me how Christian boys in schools in Syria are being attacked by Muslim boys simply because they are Christians. He also tells me that 35 churches have been burned in Syria. He doesn't want me to take pictures of him for fear of his future. He has a hope of being able to return to Syria.

The Danish European Mission's partner in Jordan reports: "Christians in Syria suffer not only from the bombings and violence of the civil war, but especially from being targeted by extremist Islamist rebel groups. An estimated 600,000 Christians have already fled the country or been killed, and those who remain face threats of kidnapping, torture, sexual assault and other forms of persecution. Hundreds of thousands of Christians have become international refugees, forced to flee their homes with only the clothes on their backs, only to end up in refugee camps where food, medicine, electricity and kerosene are in short supply."

Image right: Food for refugees from Syria

Fear of Muslim extremists

Another man named Petros* explains to me that the Muslim extremists have taken over the country and that if President Assad resigns, it will mean that Christians will be exterminated.

People are being kidnapped and many of the rebels in Syria are using mafia-like methods to fight for power in Syria. Food prices have skyrocketed, making life even more difficult for the population. There is simply a lack of food.

Petros* explains that he had to sell belongings from his house to escape. He arrived in Jordan about 15 days ago with just two pairs of pants and two shirts.

The Christians I speak to this afternoon are deeply concerned about developments in their country, and most of all they fear that Muslim fanatics will take over Syria and worsen the persecution of the beleaguered Christian minority. The Christians fear for their lives and eventual extermination.

Christians are trapped in a situation where they can't feel safe if leadership of the country passes to the rebels.

Danish European Mission continues to ask for your help so we can help more victims of this terrible civil war. The support goes through Christians reaching out to the victims both inside and outside Syria's borders. There is an urgent need for support now, especially inside Syria where Christians are reaching out to thousands of victims of the civil war.

*The name Petros is an alias for security reasons.

Thank you so much for the support we have already received, and thank you for your continued support of this important effort.

The Danish European Mission has so far helped to support the refugees in Jordan. The refugees have received food, water, blankets, shoes and medicine.