Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: August 29, 2026
What should have been a simple visit with family turned into two weeks in prison for Pastor Nihad Hassan.
Pastor Hassan, who leads a Kurdish-speaking church in Lebanon, was arrested on 20 July while visiting relatives in Afrin, Syria. He was held without charge until 3 August.
Originally from a Muslim background, the Baptist pastor has in recent years spoken out about the situation facing Syria’s Kurdish population, especially converts from Islam. He has also shared Facebook posts that were deemed insulting to Islam, reportedly the main reason for his arrest.
Thankfully, Pastor Hassan was released and reunited with his family. He has since returned to Beirut for his safety. Yet his detention is a reminder of the insecurity, restrictions and injustice that many in Syria continue to face.
In December 2024, the government of President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown by an alliance of opposition groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). While many Syrians welcomed the end of Assad's rule, the transition has been marked by instability, sectarian tensions and concerns about the safety of minority communities.
Earlier this year, church leaders decided to cancel public Easter celebrations across Syria due to rising sectarian tensions. Activities were restricted to inside churches only.
A similar decision was made this month by Catholic and Orthodox church leaders in the Christian town of Saydnaya, near Damascus. On 4 August, they announced that religious celebrations in the town would be cancelled for the rest of the year, with activities restricted to worship inside churches.
Christians are not the only community living with fear. Members of Syria's Alawite community continue to be targeted with violence or even killed because of their ethnoreligious identity.
On 18 July, masked gunmen opened fire on a family home, killing Amna Qaeer and two of her children who were on the balcony: 14-year-old Lujayn and 9-year-old Issa. Just days later, on 26 July, another Alawite mother, Youmna Hallaq, was shot dead. Her 13-year-old son, Zayn Ibrahim, survived the attack but was seriously injured and taken to hospital.
In February, a Christian school teacher, Iman Jarrous, was shot in the same neighbourhood where two Alawites — Khidr Karakeet and his fiancée Nada Salem — were killed five days earlier. Iman was killed instantly. Our sources in the area believe the attackers assumed she was an Alawite because she was not wearing a hijab.
The Alawite community makes up around 10% of Syria's population. Because former president Bashar al-Assad and many figures associated with his government were Alawite, the community has faced suspicion, hostility and violence since his removal from power — even though most Alawites were not affiliated with the former regime.
There is an urgent need for prayer that every community will be protected, that justice will prevail, and that Syria's future will be marked by genuine freedom, peace and reconciliation.
Please pray:
For Pastor Nihad Hassan, his family, and his church in Beirut. Give thanks for his release and ask God to strengthen and encourage them today.
For those who are at risk because of their religion, belief or ethnicity. Pray specifically for the safety of Alawite and Christian communities, especially those who converted from Islam.
For all who have lost loved ones — mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, teachers, neighbours and friends — to sectarian violence. Ask God to comfort and heal those who are mourning and living with trauma.
For practical measures to prevent further violence and build peace between communities. Pray that leaders of every faith community would unite against sectarianism.
For Syria’s transitional government. Pray for the vision and determination to combat hate speech, extremism and terrorism, and ensure that the rights of all communities are protected.