Religious Minorities in Turbulent Periods: The Recurring Dilemmas for Christians in Syria

AbstractStruggling to survive and experiencing a financial catastrophe, Christian population in Syria has had to handle carefully its relations both with regime and rebel forces, as longstanding ties of several churches and leaders with regime have put communities in a situation where they cannot stand idle and wait. As Syria is a battle ground, both literally and figuratively, for eventual outcome of Arab Uprising, this paper examines position that Christians hold in country, in light of dilemmas they face in times of crisis.Syrian Christians in historical perspectiveReligious minorities have been shaping society and politics in Middle East for a long time, either as being part of state structures or by becoming a target for regimes and political forces. The history of Christians in Syria provides a prime example of significance of minorities for states of region, affecting and at same time being influenced by developments in country.While a Christian presence was one of strongest in region since Early Ages, Arab uprisings have brought unexpected consequences for it. Bearing in mind of special role of Syria in times of crisis in Arab world, this paper will examine impact of Arab uprisings on Christian populations. Therefore there will be a short review of how Christians were incorporated into domestic political structure of modern Syria, before focusing on impact of Arab Uprisings on Christian communities.Starting from late Ottoman era, participation of Christian populations in political processes in country depended on their integration into new regional structures that were emerging. Although they had inhabited region for centuries, Christian populations only assumed center stage as recently as 19th century, as lands of Syria were incorporated into global political and financial system. Excluded from state offices of predominantly Muslim Ottoman Empire, due to their religion, Christians excelled in banking and trade or even opened their own stores from scratch, making considerable fortunes in process and achieving a position of influence in local markets.1 Along with an increase in significance and importance, numbers of Christian inhabitants rose in size and came to consist of almost twenty percent of population of Syria and Iraq.2Christians along with Jews, have been at forefront of incorporation of Syria in world market, acting as intermediaries between international system and regional powers, facilitating European commercial and entrepreneurial endeavors in Syria. Armenian merchants and moneylenders and Greek Orthodox traders cooperated primarily and closely with European trading houses. As Lebanese American historian Phillip Khoury argues, the religious protection that Christians sought and received from European powers and education afforded them by missionaries, specially prepared them to serve as agents of European commercial and political interests.3 Christians organized local trade networks, not only facilitating import of European products into Syria, but also purchase of raw materials for operation of Western companies in country. It was only natural that this infuriated local merchants and other professionals, who saw their way of life altered and their already low income further reduced. These developments made locals turn against Christians and view Christian connections to Europe as main cause of their misery. Resorting to protection offered by European powers seemed like a one-way street for Christians, as they faced attacks by angry mobs, persecution from local political enemies and increasingly heavy levels of income taxation.4The rising European influence on collapsing Ottoman Empire helped Christians enjoy several advantages, as Ottoman authorities accorded a protection status to Christians, albeit whilst treating them as second class subjects (dhimmitude). …