Christians sign petition denouncing shabiha violence

April 2, 2013

By Nuha Shabaan

More than one dozen Christians from the Wadi al-Nasara area of Homs province have published an open letter on facebook denouncing the shabiha, saying “their religion is killing and their sect is theft and corruption.”

Among the signatories is Samir Sattouf, a Christian member of the Syrian National Coalition.

The shabiha are the largely Alawite militias supporting President Bashar al-Assad.

It is a rare statement from members of Syria’s Christian community, who are seen outside Syria as remaining on the sidelines of the revolution.

“We have seen the regime’s crimes and corruption and we will face all its pathetic attempts to divide us,” the statement read. “All regime attempts to sow division will be blocked by the awareness of the Syrian people.”

Our region “will stay with the revolution despite the shabiha and those who support Assad,” wrote Ruby Hanna, one of the signatories to the letter, in the comments section.

“Our green valley will flourish despite the shabiha,” Sattouf commented.