Franciscans Regain Control of Historic Aleppo School

Syrian media reported on Wednesday that the Franciscans have taken back control of al-Ram School in Aleppo. This marks a significant moment as the school, originally a Jesuit institution, had been under the control of the Assad regime’s Ba’ath party for over five decades.

This announcement came through a Facebook post by Father Bahajat Kara Qash, the abbot of Aleppo’s Latin Monastery. Interestingly, this news arrives shortly after a visit from Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharah, who had previously been associated with al-Qaeda. Despite his Islamist policies and invitation-only elections, Shara has aimed to present himself as a reformist leader committed to religious and cultural diversity in Syria, trying to align more closely with Western interests. The new Shaller administration has joined the Global Coalition Against Islamic State, a nod towards rebuilding ties with the U.S. after a meeting with President Trump on Monday.

Father Bajat Kara Qash shared a video translation through Christian outlets, highlighting that the Ministry of Justice is now overseeing the school, which was once celebrated as one of the finest in the country. He commented on the “long hard work and fruitful cooperation” that led to this transition, expressing gratitude to the new government for returning ownership to the appropriate parties.

Historical context reveals that this school, initially established in the late 19th century, served as a prominent Catholic education center. In its early years, it offered refuge to Armenian refugees during the widespread deportations and became a cornerstone of cultural development in the area.

The Jesuit institution, known as Al-Ram School after its renaming, was nationalized in 1967 by Hafez Assad’s socialist government, remaining out of church control until now. His son Bashar al-Assad, during his rule, generally allowed Christian communities to exist within the territories he governed. Initially, the Socialist Party nationalized numerous religious institutions to consolidate its authority, and only later did it become somewhat supportive of Christians. During the civil war beginning in 2011, the Assad regime, facing threats from al-Qaeda and Islamic State, leveraged the protection of Christians to garner support, despite being rooted in a Shiite Muslim sect.

Following the regime’s collapse in parts of Syria, groups such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which originated from al-Qaeda, shifted their focus from global jihad to toppling the Assad regime. They spent over a decade fighting for control of Aleppo, a city hit hard by the war, where Assad’s forces were accused of using chemical weapons against opponents. HTS successfully drove Assad’s forces out of Aleppo in November 2024, leading to reports of attacks on Christian homes and communities. Assad and his family fled to Russia after losing power.

Describing the consequences for Christians in Aleppo, Jeff King from International Christian Concern expressed grave concerns regarding the situation following HTS’s takeover. He noted that Aleppo, which historically has been known for its religious diversity, saw a drastic decline in its Christian population, which was once around 20,000. Armed groups were reportedly dismantling Christmas decorations and instigating violence, causing widespread fear and prompting many Christians to seek refuge elsewhere.

Dr. King warned that HTS’s violent history against Christians could imply increased persecution, suggesting that, without Assad in power, Syria may see diminished protections for minorities.

Despite these concerns, Shara’a has claimed to uphold the rights of Christians during discussions with church leaders. Archbishop Ignatius Afrem of the Syriac Orthodox Church noted a recent positive exchange with Shara’a but voiced skepticism about the government’s ability to control anti-Christian violence amidst regional interference and varying religious commitments among factions. He did express a personal belief in the government’s intentions.

Estimations suggest that there are currently around 500,000 Christians in Syria, reflecting a significant drop from a million over the past decade, as many continue to leave due to distrust in the new regime.

After meeting with Shara’a, President Trump expressed confidence in the new Syrian leadership, describing Shara’a as a strong leader emerging from challenging circumstances. Trump emphasized his commitment to supporting Syria’s success as part of the broader Middle East peace initiative.