There is peace between Christians and Muslims in Syria, says a Narooma minister in a position to check.
The Venerable Carol Wagner has been visiting the troubled region.
“It has been a most amazing time,” she told the Narooma News.
“We have met top dignitaries, business people and the people in the street. The message has been the same from all of them: "Please let people know what is really happening in Syria.”
Ms Wagner said the reality does not match popular perception.
“What is really happening, is that there is no war between Christians and Muslims in Syria,” she said.
“The opposite is true. Until the war, Christians and Muslims lived peaceably and companionably, sharing their lives.
“Churches and mosques sit side by side in most communities.
“Throughout their history - and it is a history that has encompassed thousands of years - Syria has always been a mosaic of different cultures and religious that have formed a nation, and as a nation, they have always been united against threats.
“The current polarisation of Christian and Muslim has been a deliberate attempt from outside to undermine the stability of the nation.”
The current polarisation of Christian and Muslim has been a deliberate attempt from outside to undermine the stability of the nation
- Carol Wagner
Ms Wagner said Syrians were “doing it tough”.
“The terrorists have sabotaged the water supply to Damascus, so the only water available comes in bottles - and that is for everything,” she said.
“So much of the GNP has gone into the military, there is no money to provide a reliable power supply. Power is rationed, available four hours on and nine hours off during the day.
“Businesses, churches, hospitals, and well-to-do households rely on generators to supplement their power needs.
“The poor of course, simply do without.”
The group Ms Wagner is part of has met government and religious officials and said Syrians were very grateful for their visit.
More online and next week’s edition.
