Syria has been a prominent region in the Middle East since biblical times. References to people from Syria appear as far back as the book of Numbers in the Old Testament. Following World War I, the Ottoman Empire was divided, and the modern Middle East was shaped by the Sykes-Picot Agreement. Syria and Lebanon became part of the French Mandate, with Lebanon designed as a majority-Christian country and Syria as a Muslim-majority country. The French Mandate ended in 1946 when France withdrew its troops.

From 1970 to late 2024, Syria was governed by the Assad family dictatorship. The Assads, members of the Alawite sect—a branch of Shi’a Islam—led a secular regime that granted Christians in Syria more rights than in many other Middle Eastern countries. However, in December 2024, the capital city of Damascus was overtaken by Islamist rebels. The country’s future remains uncertain.

Historically, Syria has had thriving Christian and Jewish communities. Although Christians now make up only 3–5% of the population, Syria was about 10% Christian in 1990. The rise of an Islamist government and the potential implementation of shari’a law could accelerate the emigration of Christians, similar to what has occurred in Iraq, the West Bank, and Egypt. Most Jewish Syrians emigrated after the creation of Israel in 1948.

Syria’s population of approximately 25 million is predominantly Muslim—90%—with Sunni Muslims accounting for 75% and Alawites about one in nine. Syria is roughly the size of North Dakota, with a diverse geography that includes ancient churches, Roman ruins, mosques, and Mediterranean resorts. However, much of the southeastern region is arid desert. Arabs constitute the majority, but a significant Kurdish minority has drawn attention from neighboring Türkiye, which has sent troops into northern Syria to prevent the establishment of a Kurdish state.

The Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011, led to the emigration of hundreds of thousands of Syrians. Many sought refuge in neighboring Middle Eastern countries, while Germany and the Nordic countries became primary destinations in Europe. Despite the war and significant emigration, Syria’s population continues to grow rapidly. However, it is unlikely that many emigrants will return, even with the resolution of the conflict.

Damascus, the capital, holds significant historical and religious importance. It is home to the Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, despite the ancient city of Antioch—modern-day Antakya—being located in Türkiye. The Orthodox Church of Antioch is among the oldest in the world. Damascus also retains biblical significance, with Straight Street, mentioned in Acts 9, still accessible today.

While Christian emigration continues to outweigh growth from conversions, some Muslims in Syria have turned to Christianity in recent decades. According to Islamic eschatology, Jesus will return to Damascus—a belief distinct from the Christian view of His return to the Mount of Olives. Notably, St. John of Damascus, one of the first Christians to write about Islam, lived in this historic city.

Engaging with Syrian Friends: