Patriarch Youssef al-Absi of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Patriarch John X, primate of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, and Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church released a joint statement on Sunday, calling for peace and unity in new Syria.
The statement emphasized "the necessity of the constitution drafting process being a comprehensive and inclusive process in which all components of Syrian society… participate, to ensure that this constitution expresses the will of the people in all its diversity."
It also stressed the need for a new constitution grounded in citizenship, justice, and equality, "ensuring human rights, the rule of law, freedoms, and equal opportunities for all, without discrimination."
A coalition of rebel groups spearheaded by the Islamist Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Assad’s regime on December 8. They formed a transitional government that claims to protect the rights of all ethnic and religious groups in the country.
Syrian de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, said in an interview with Al Arabiya aired on Sunday that they need three years to draft a new constitution and four years to hold elections.
He also responded to concerns that the current government is not an inclusive one, explaining that the lack of diversity is meant to ensure coherence during the current stage and “not intended to exclude anyone.”
The number of Christians in Syria has significantly dwindled since the start of the civil war over a decade ago.
