Voices for the Vulnerable: IDC, Shai Fund, and Nazarene Fund Champion Syria’s Persecuted Communities

This week, CPAC’s Coalition on Christian Persecution had the opportunity to participate in a powerful roundtable held in the Senate Dirksen building hosted by In Defense of Christians (IDC), Shai Fund, and the Nazarene Fund brought together policymakers, faith leaders, and advocates to address the urgent crisis of religious persecution in Syria, with particular attention to the plight of Christians, Druze, Alawites, and Kurds. Organizations such as the Shai Fund and the Nazarene Fund emphasized the importance of working in solidarity to advance freedom and human dignity.

Executive Director of IDC Richard Ghazal delivered powerful remarks in a press hearing before the roundtable, highlighting the dangers facing minorities since the Syrian Transitional Government came to power in December 2024. Instead of ushering in peace, the transition has emboldened Islamist factions that now target Christians, Druze, and Alawites with impunity. The horrific suicide bombing of Saint Elias Church in Damascus on June 22, 2025, which killed more than 30 worshippers, epitomized the accelerating cultural and religious erasure. Ghazal reminded attendees that Syria is home to some of the world’s oldest Christian communities, tracing their roots back to the time of the Apostles. Cities like Maaloula and Qamishli still preserve the Aramaic language spoken by Jesus, and ancient churches and monasteries stand as witnesses to Syria’s role as a cradle of Christian civilization. Yet Syria’s Christian population has plummeted from 2 million before the war to fewer than 300,000 today.

The roundtable facilitated by Nadine Maenza centered on key themes of safety, equal citizenship, decentralization, and reconciliation. Former Congressman Frank Wolf, author of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, reminded attendees of America’s long-standing commitment to defending religious liberty. He expressed concern about the leadership vacuum in Syria and the rise of jihadist influence, calling for the establishment of a non-governmental panel to monitor developments in the country. He also urged special attention to the Druze and other vulnerable minorities who continue to suffer disproportionately.

Former Congressman Mark Walker, who is awaiting confirmation as Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, also played a meaningful role in the discussion. He shared that he had just attended a briefing with 12 members of Congress the night before, underscoring how seriously American policymakers are taking these concerns. Walker’s presence was a strong reminder of the importance of U.S. leadership in advocating for religious freedom abroad and ensuring that the voices of persecuted communities are not forgotten. His engagement with the panel reflected the growing momentum to make international religious liberty a central element of U.S. foreign policy.

Panelists from the region gave deeply personal testimony. They described ongoing challenges in northeast Syria, including food shortages, poor governance, and the need for stronger international pressure to ensure citizens can oppose their government without fear. Dr. Sam Azkul, a physician and leader in the Syrian-American Druze community, highlighted the desperate plight of the Druze, who have lived in southern Syria for centuries but now face violence, displacement, and persecution. He recounted stories of Druze students attacked on campuses, women assaulted, and entire communities uprooted, resulting in 200,000 displaced, 400 missing, and over 2,000 killed. Sirwan Kajjo, a researcher focused on Kurdish politics and Islamic militancy, contributed his expertise on Kurdish challenges. At the same time, a Syrian theologian offered a poignant reflection, asking how Christians should be identified, by theology or identity, and emphasizing that Christian persecution cannot be discussed in isolation from the suffering of Druze, Kurds, and other minorities.

The event concluded with sobering reminders of the cost of faith in Syria. From church bombings in Damascus to the killing of pastors, the attacks on places of worship underscore the need for steadfast advocacy. Dr. Mahmud Zamlut, a Pulmonary and Critical Care physician and founding board member of the Alawites Association of the United States, spoke on the misunderstandings surrounding decentralization in Syria, while former Ambassador Sam Brownback urged the United States to provide both soft aid and lawful force to strengthen communities under siege. 

For CPAC’s Coalition on Christian Persecution, this roundtable was a critical moment of unity and resolve, affirming the commitment to stand together in defending religious freedom and protecting those who suffer for their faith. We are grateful for the leadership of the IDC, Shai Fund, the Nazarene Fund, and Nadine Maenza in making this gathering possible.