World Council of Arameans [Syriacs]

The Aramean Roadmap: 7 Steps to a Peaceful, Inclusive, and United Syria

As Syria begins to rebuild after years of conflict, its ethnic and religious minorities hold the key to preserving the country’s diverse cultural heritage and achieving lasting stability. The Arameans, Syria’s oldest indigenous people, have played a central role in the region’s 3,000-year history and offer a compelling perspective on how inclusivity, cultural preservation, and community engagement can contribute to a brighter future for Syria.

This position paper, “7 Essential Policy Recommendations for Syria’s Future,” reflects the voice of the Aramean Christians. It outlines actionable proposals to recognize, safeguard, and empower Syria’s minorities, particlarly the Arameans and their Aramaic language, ensuring their vital role in Syria’s rebuilding process.

A Snapshot of Our 7 Key Recommendations

1. Constitutional Recognition: Include the Arameans and their Aramaic language in Syria’s constitution, affirming their place in the nation’s history and future.

2. Rights and Protection for Minorities: Establish robust mechanisms to protect minorities from violence, discrimination, and marginalization.

3. Inclusive Governance: Build a non-sectarian goverment that ensures fair representation and participation of all ethno-religious groups.

4. Syrian-Led Political Transition: Support a democratic process led by Syrians, centralize authority, and safeguard Syria’s territorial integrity.

5. Safe Return and Reconstruction: Facilitate the safe return of displaced communities, particularly the vulnerable Arameans, and rebuild their cities, villages, cultural institutions, and religious sites.

6. Preservation and Promotion of Aramean Heritage: Protect Aramean sites, integrate their language and history into education, and foster tourism to support local economies.

7. Empowering the Aramean Diaspora: Engage the global Aramean community in reconciliation and reconstruction through education, cultural initiatives, and economic initiatives.

Why It Matters to Syria – and the World
Syria’s future depends on preserving its cultural diversity and empowering its ethnic and religious minorities. The Arameans, who have shaped the region’s history and culture for millennia, are indispensable to this vision. By recognizing and empowering the Aramean Christians, Syria can reaffirm its commitment to diversity, unity, and progress.

These proposals safeguard the irreplaceable Aramaic heritage – a unifying bridge between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – while offering a model for peace and coexistence in the Middle East. This effort lays the foundation for a more inclusive and collaborative Syria that takes pride in its Aramaic heritage, while also serving as an inspiring example of how preserving cultural and religious diversity contributes to regional stability, mutual understanding, and respect.

How You Can Support
The World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) invites media, politicians, NGOs, and stakeholders to collaborate and partner on impactful initiatives:

1. Parliamentary Forums and Roundtables: Highlight minority and indigenous rights along with cultural preservation.

2. Cultural Heritage Campaigns: Share the story of the Arameans through media and events.

3. Educational Programs: Promote Aramaic language and heritage in schools.

4. Reconstruction Projects: Rebuild Aramean communities and cultural sites.

5. Advocacy Events: Raise awareness in global forums like the UN and EU.

Let’s work together - contact info (at) wca-ngo.org - to ensure that Syria’s oldest recorded and still-living civilization, the Arameans and their language, continues to thrive as an integral part of the country’s future.

Download our Position Paper on Syria here

Aramaic Christians in Maaloula, Syria, Under Attack – Urgent Action Required

Maaloula, a historic Aramean Christian town in Syria where the ancient Aramaic language, the language of Jesus, is still spoken, has been under siege by Islamists for the past two weeks. Its Christian population, which has dwindled from 1,000 to fewer than 200 in this short time, now faces an alarming escalation of threats, gunfire attacks, and expulsion.

Over the past week, Islamists have intensified efforts to seize Christian-owned farmland and homes, pushing the last Arameans in Maaloula to the brink. Last night, at 2 a.m., a Christian farmer defending his property faced a life-or-death situation when armed attackers arrived. After being fired upon, he returned fire in self-defense, resulting in the death of one attacker. Despite his actions being backed by clear surveillance footage handed over to Damascus police, extremists are now demanding his surrender for retaliation and openly calling for the ethnic cleansing of Maaloula’s remaining Aramean Christian population.

Curiously, Maaloula has been cut off from the outside world, with no internet or phone connection for hours, leaving its residents isolated and vulnerable. Meanwhile, social media channels are flooded with calls for the expulsion of Christians, intensifying the fear among the remaining population. All its Aramean residents, especially women, children, and the elderly, are deeply afraid to surrender their arms, fearing they will be slaughtered if they do so.

Militants from the Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade of the Syrian National Army, led by Abu Amsha, are raiding homes, intimidating families, and issuing orders for Christians to leave Maaloula, applying relentless pressure to force the last Arameans to abandon their homeland.

We urgently call on the international community to:

• Intervene immediately to ensure the safety and survival of Maaloula’s Arameans.
• Deploy neutral forces to restore law and order in the town, preventing further violence and forced displacement.
• Demand HTS to take responsibility for the safety of Maaloula’s residents.

Johny Messo, president of the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs), warns: “What we are witnessing in Maaloula is a targeted assault on one of humanity’s oldest communities and its priceless heritage. The ongoing deafening silence of the international community is allowing ethnic cleansing to unfold in broad daylight. The time to act is now—before it’s too late.”

In addition to restoring security, we call for a fair political process that establishes a new Syrian constitution guaranteeing equality, justice, and protection for all citizens under the law. This constitution must also recognize and support Syria’s endangered indigenous Aramean population and their Aramaic language, which prevailed in the region until the 12th century. The Greek name Syria is recorded in the Bible under its original ancient Semitic name, Aram.

The Arameans, native to Southeast Türkiye, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, remain a testament to resilience and faith in their ancestral homeland. Their documented history in Syria spans over 3,000 years. In 2011, the predominantly Arabicized Christians comprised 8–10% of Syria’s 21 million population. Today, however, fewer than 400,000 Christians may remain.

Each day without action brings Maaloula closer to losing its people and its unique cultural and spiritual legacy. We call on the international community to act now. Failing to stop this ethnic cleansing will leave an indelible stain on humanity and the credibility of the United Nations.

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Save Maaloula: Urgent Action Needed to Protect the Survival of Aramean Christians in Syria

We urgently sound the alarm over the critical situation in Maaloula, 56 km from Damascus, and the escalating threats to Christians across Syria. Recent events, including the murder of a Christian family, the burning of a Christmas tree, and numerous threats from largely foreign Jihadists, have sparked protests by Syria’s indigenous, unarmed Christians. Courageously, they have taken to the streets in large numbers in ancient Aramean cities such as Damascus, where Saint Paul once walked, to demand protection and justice.

When al-Nusra Front fiercely attacked it in 2013 and kidnapped 12 nuns, Maaloula was home to 3,000 Arameans. Its population has since dropped from 1,000 just two weeks ago to fewer than 200 today, as ongoing violence, intimidation, and property confiscations force families to flee. Since 8 December, armed men have terrorized the remaining residents on a daily basis, firing shots into the air and shouting “Allahu Akbar.” Despite appeals to HTS leaders in Damascus, no action has been taken, and victims are being told to negotiate directly with their perpetrators.

Maaloula is one of Syria’s last three villages preserving the Aramaic language that was once spoken across the country. This unique legacy should be a source of pride and a powerful symbol for showcasing a new Syria under HTS – not a target for renewed violence and displacement.

We call for immediate and decisive measures to restore security and law in Maaloula by deploying a representative police force that includes the town’s majority Aramean population. This is essential to prevent further violence and halt the demographic transformation of this historic village. Swift action is also needed to facilitate the return of 800 displaced residents who, in recent weeks, have been burdened with renting accommodation in Damascus.

We implore the media and politicians to break their silence regarding the reality on the ground. We urge patriarchs and beatitudes to heed the cries of the faithful who have taken to the streets. We call on Muslim leaders to raise their voices. HTS must act immediately to ensure law and order in Syria before more innocent blood is shed and the situation spirals out of control.

Johny Messo, president of the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs), asserts: “The UN, the EU, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation must act now to protect this vulnerable people and safeguard an irreplaceable part of Syria’s heritage before it’s too late. Each day without action risks the end of Maaloula’s millennia-long Aramean presence. We urgently call upon them all to stand with us in preventing this looming tragedy.”

In addition to restoring security, we demand a fair political process that establishes a new Syrian constitution guaranteeing equality, justice, and protection for all citizens under the law. This constitution ought also to recognize and support Syria’s endangered indigenous Aramean population and their Aramaic language, which prevailed in this region until the 12th century. The Greek name Syria is recorded in the Bible by its original ancient Semitic name, Aram.

The Arameans, native to Southeast Türkiye, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, remain a testament to resilience and faith in their ancestral homeland. Their documented history in Syria spans over 3,000 years. In 2011, the predominantly Arabicized Christians comprised 8–10% of Syria’s 21 million population. Today, however, fewer than 400,000 Christians may remain in the country.

Each day without action brings Maaloula closer to losing its people, and its unique cultural and spiritual legacy. We call on the international community to act now, before it is too late. Failing to halt this ethnic cleansing leaves a stain on humanity and the credibility of the United Nations.

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Download this text here in PDF

Assad Falls: Syria’s Christians Face Uncertain Future Amid Rapid Power Shifts

The Assad dynasty has collapsed swiftly, marking a historic turning point for Syria. Statues of Bashar al-Assad and his father have been taken down across the country. Jihadist forces from Idlib advanced rapidly through Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Damascus. The Druze secured control of the south, while YPG Kurds now rule the northeast. As Syria undergoes a profound transformation, Christians find themselves in a precarious position.

Will the new rulers fight among themselves for total dominance, or will they come together to share power? Will they respect the country’s diverse groups, or will they subject Christians to renewed persecution, oppression, and restrictions on their liberties, triggering yet another exodus? The indigenous Arameans, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, have already suffered tremendous loss in recent decades and now live in fear of what lies ahead.

During President Trump’s first administration, the Middle East experienced a period of relative peace, enabling them to begin recovering from the devastating impacts of war. We now place our hopes in the incoming Trump administration to restore peace and stability to the region, safeguarding decimated and vulnerable communities such as the Arameans.

For over 3,000 years, the Arameans and their endangered Aramaic language — the first world language and the language of Jesus and the Bible — have endured countless rulers, wars, and upheavals. Johny Messo, president of the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs), asserts:

“We must, and we will, adapt to this new geopolitical reality and endure this political transition as well. But endurance alone is not enough. It is critical that the international community recognizes and values the Arameans, and works to ensure that this power shift leads to a stable and inclusive Syria where all citizens, regardless of religion, ethnicity or language, are protected and empowered to thrive.”

The World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) calls on all UN Member States, international leaders, and regional powers to prioritize a fair, UN-led political process that establishes a new Syrian constitution, guaranteeing equality, justice, and protection for all citizens under the law.

Our commitment to reconciliation, unity, and prosperity in Syria is unwavering. We envision a homeland where all ethnic and religious groups coexist respectfully, work together for a more perfect Syria, and build a shared future where the nation’s rich heritage and its people thrive.

The Arameans, native to Southeast Türkiye, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, remain a testament to resilience and faith in their ancestral homeland. The documented history of this forgotten Semitic people and their Aramaic language in Syria goes back to more than 3,000 years. In 2011, the country’s Christians still numbered 8 to 10% of the 21 million total population. Today, however, there may be less than 500,000 Christians in Syria.

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Elderly Aramean Killed in Southeast Türkiye, WCA demands justice and security

The WCA strongly condemns this evening’s killing of Gevriye Ego, the 91-year-old father of Shleimun from Sweden, the famous host of our Aramaic TV Channel Suryoyo Sat and also the WCA Vice President! It appears that Mr. Ego was ambushed in front of his house in Enhil, an ancient Aramean village in Southeastern Türkiye, and was shot multiple times in the head, resulting in his tragic death. The perpetrator(s) and the motives for this murder are being verified and not certain yet.

WCA is Hiring: Two Project Coordinators Needed in Syria and Turabdin

The WCA is intensifying its commitment to the Aramean communities in the home countries, and we are seeking two dedicated individuals to join our mission. Eager to make a difference? Apply Now and be part of our journey to uplift Aramean communities around the world.

Arameans Condemn Quran Burning Protest in Stockholm, and Call for Restraint and Respect

The World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) condemns the appalling act carried out yesterday by an individual with Christian roots from Iraq, who burned a Quran in front of a mosque in Stockholm during the Feast of Sacrifice, one of the most important festivals in Islam. We implore all to uphold restraint and respect among ethno-religious groups.

Innocent Elderly Arameans Brutally Attacked By Kurdish Nomads in Southeast Türkiye

In the early hours of this morning, a shocking act of violence took place in the village of Sederi (Üçyol), Southeast Türkiye. Two elderly Arameans were brutally assaulted by a group of Kurdish nomads, resulting in severe injuries. This assault not only disrupts the peace and stability of the region but also poses a threat to the way of life and presence of the Aramean community, which has flourished in these lands for over 3,000 years.

10 Years of Injustice: Remembering Abduction Archbishops of Aleppo and A Call for International Day for Prayer

On Saturday, 22 April 2023, the world will remember the 10th anniversary of the abduction of Archbishops Mor Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi from Aleppo, Syria. The kidnapping occurred near the Turkish-Syrian border, in the northern province of Aleppo, and the fate of the two Archbishops remains unknown to this day.