Syria

The ethics of a Syrian military intervention: The experts respond
By Yonat Shimron — August 29, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) As the Obama administration readies for a probable military strike against Syria, Religion News Service asked a panel of theologians and policy experts whether the U.S. should intervene in Syria in light of the regime's use of chemical weapons against civilians.

Pope Francis, Jordan king say dialogue is ‘only option’ in Syria conflict
By Alessandro Speciale — August 29, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Catholic Church has been following with concern the radicalization of Syria's civil war. The country hosts a sizable Christian minority, which has mostly sided with Bashar al-Assad during the two-year long conflict.

In Israel, Orthodox men demand beard-friendly gas masks
By Michele Chabin — August 28, 2013
JERUSALEM (RNS) Demand for protective hoods -- as opposed to standard-issue gas masks -- has soared since the U.S. administration confirmed that Syrian civilians were killed last week by chemical weapons.

COMMENTARY: Keep doomsday religion out of the Syrian conflict
By Faheem Younus — August 27, 2013
(RNS) At this critical juncture, where some religious leaders have issued an all-out warning of a third world war, quoting the Bible to support the “annihilation of Damascus” is like poling at an inflamed appendix; don’t manage it promptly and it may rupture, triggering a much larger regional war

Jesuit priest likely kidnapped in Syria
By Alessandro Speciale — July 31, 2013
(RNS) The Rev. Paolo Dall'Oglio, 58, lived for three decades in Syria, where he established an ecumenical community at Mar Musa on the site of an early Christian monastery, engaging in interfaith dialogue with Muslims and forging close ties with the local population.

Syrian civil war forces Sunni and Shiite Muslims to pick sides
By Oren Dorell — May 30, 2013
(RNS) Whether the battle will be contained to Syria is in doubt now that Islam's two major strands have taken sides against one another, threatening to spark a wider war that is centuries in the making between Sunni and Shiite Muslims.

Vice and virtue police gain foothold in war-torn Syria
By Mona Alami — May 17, 2013
BEIRUT (RNS) Religious police units enforce a strict form of Islamic rule in parts of Syria, such banning alcohol sales and requiring conservative dress for women.

Religious leaders push for kidnapped bishops’ release
By Michele Chabin — April 30, 2013
JERUSALEM (RNS) Religious leaders are pressing for the release of two Orthodox bishops who were kidnapped outside war-torn Aleppo, Syria, saying their plight reflects the insecurity of Syria's Christian population.

Armenia struggles to absorb Christian refugees from Syria
By Diana Markosian — February 20, 2013
YEREVAN, Armenia (RNS) An estimated 7,000 of Syria's Christian-Armenian community have arrived in Armenia since the start of the uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad, and cash-strapped Armenia is struggling to help them.

Africa rises, China falls on Christian persecution list
By Lauren Markoe — January 8, 2013
(RNS) The persecution of Christians "vastly rose" in Africa in 2012 as a result of power gains by radical Islamists, according to Open Doors, a Christian missionary organization which publishes an annual list of offending nations. By Lauren Markoe.

Muslims back Obama, but by smaller margin than in 2008
By Omar Sacirbey — October 29, 2012

(RNS) While fewer Muslims are supporting Obama this year, Muslim support for Mitt Romney, at 7 percent according to a recent poll, is more than triple the 2.2 percent of Muslims who voted for John McCain in 2008. By Omar Sacirbey.

Survey: Syrian rebels seek Islamic democracy
By Oren Dorell — September 24, 2012

(RNS) Members of the Syrian opposition generally want a democratic government that protects the rights of minorities, though many also want a constitution based on Islam, according to a recent survey. By Oren Dorell.

Pope urges peace in 3-day trip to Lebanon
By Alessandro Speciale — September 17, 2012

BEIRUT (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday (Sept. 16) took the unusual step of directly appealing to Arab countries to find "workable solutions" to the conflict in Syria and tensions throughout the Middle East. By Alessandro Speciale.

Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Lebanon as riots flare across Middle East
By Alessandro Speciale — September 14, 2012

BEIRUT (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Lebanon on Friday for a high-risk trip aimed at emboldening the Middle East’s beleaguered Christian minority, just as anti-Western protests spread through much of the Muslim world. By Alessandro Speciale.

Vatican says pope’s Lebanon trip still a go despite violence
By Alessandro Speciale — September 12, 2012

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican confirmed on Wednesday (Sept. 12) that Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Lebanon will go ahead as planned, despite growing tension in the region after the killing of the U.S. ambassador to Libya by a mob enraged by an anti-Islam film. By Alessandro Speciale.

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