Syria Declares Christmas Holiday: A Sign of Shifting Sands?
Syria’s new government declaring Christmas a public holiday is certainly a surprising development, prompting a wide range of reactions. It’s easy to feel a surge of cautious optimism; perhaps this signals a shift towards greater religious tolerance and a willingness to engage with the West. The gesture could be interpreted as an attempt to rebuild the economy by attracting back the wealthy Christian merchant class who may have fled the country during the conflict. This would certainly contribute to economic recovery.
However, such a significant change doesn’t come without skepticism. The timing seems calculated; it’s a public relations move designed to curry favor with the West and potentially unlock much-needed financial aid.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood