The Journal of Global Justice and Public Policy Global Initiative publishes bi-monthly reports targeting countries experiencing human rights violations. Each report briefly discusses that country’s history and population, and proffers specific prayer requests.
QUICK FACTS
Capital City: Damascus
Government: Republic
Population: 20,178,485
Major People Groups: 92% Arab, 7% Kurd, 1% Armenian
Religion: 90% Muslim, 5% Christian, 2% Non
Language: Arabic/Kurdish
GDP Per Capita: $4,100
Literacy Rate: 79.6%
UNREACHED: 42.4%
HISTORY
Nestled between Turkey and Lebanon, modern-day Syria boasts a population of over 22 million people, 90% of which are Arabs. Syria's location on the fertile Mediterranean
coast makes agriculture and tourism a critical part of its
struggling
economy. Numerous coups and political instability have been the norm and led the heavy-handed Hafez Al-Assad to come to power in 1970. Conflicts have arisen more recently
as part of the Arab Spring, a sign of social turmoil in the Arab World.
Protesters are calling for greater political freedom and the resignation of Hafez's
son, Bashar, who rules with the same force as his father. The government has
responded with great military force, which has served only to increase
demonstrations across the country. Upwards of 7,000 people have been killed in
these conflicts. The political unrest has slowed economic growth because
of international sanctions, and domestic consumption and production have
declined as people flee the country. (http://prayercast.com/syria.html)
JUSTICE ISSUES
During the almost half decade of brutal civil strife,
justice and accountability have been severely neglected. An impressive array of
commissions, human rights groups, and private organizations have done a
remarkable job gathering evidence that might, one day, be used to bring
perpetrators of mass atrocities in Syria to account. But the sad truth is there
has been no real prospect for criminal accountability in the country. As useful
as they may one day prove to be, the investigations that have taken place to
date have occurred in the shadows of the war and have often been conducted by
individuals taking massive personal risks.
PRAYER REQUESTS
• Pray for a swift end to the horrific civil war with people
of peace rising to leadership.
• Pray for Jesus to reveal Himself to the millions of
Muslims displaced by the war.
• Pray for the Church to be protected and expanded amid
hostility.
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