One World Religion Watch: Syrian Sister: There is still solidarity and coexistence between Christians and Muslims
Sister Carol has received a prestigious award. It is the award
granted by the US government to women who have displayed a tremendous
amount of courage in extreme situations.
This Syrian Sister knows what those situations are like first hand, just as the war is about to turn 7 years old.
SR. CAROL TAHHAN FACHAKH
Religious of Mary Help of Christians
"Now
the culture of children is the culture of war. They can distinguish the
sound of missiles from those of cannons.” FLASH "Once, while saying
good morning to the children I heard a boom. And I asked a teacher at my
side, "What was that?" Immediately a child standing in front of me,
about 4 years old, said to me: "Sister, that was a cannon.”
Sister
Carol is a Salesian religious in Damascus. In the school that she runs,
there are Christian and Muslim children who, unfortunately, distinguish
what is, and isn't a bomb. Luckily, though, they do not know of
differences between religions and instead live in coexistence.
SR. CAROL TAHHAN FACHAKH
Religious of Mary Help of Christians
"If
I decide to choose only Christians then I become worse than the
extremists. I also become a fanatic. That's why we live with openness.”
She
speaks of a Syria in which, although there is war and suffering, the
coexistence between religions is still as it was before the conflict.
SR. CAROL TAHHAN FACHAKH
Religious of Mary Help of Christians
"Sometimes
when a missile hits or there is an explosion, many Muslim people knock
on our door and ask us if we are alright or need something."
The
recent agreement on safe areas in Syria seems to give a breath of fresh
air despite a very cramped situation. She says that Pope Francis is
helping a lot.
SR. CAROL TAHHAN FACHAKH
Religious of Mary Help of Christians
"The
Pope is doing a lot with his calls, with his words that awaken
consciences. Pope Francis is the prophet of our day who does not remain
silent."
Above politics and bombs, the
religious sister says that peace will reach Syria because everything
ends, including wars. What does not seem to have an end, however, is her
courage to remain in such a dangerous territory, when many flee.