Michael Hoffman interviews a Syrian Christian

[Michael K.]

Michael Hoffman's website is http://www.revisionisthistory.org

This document, came to me by way of email from an Orthodox Christian who is ethnically Syrian and is today an American citizen living in the South.

Revisionist History newsletter 10 Issue no. 61 • March - April 2012

The Conspiracy Against Syria
An Interview with a Syrian Christian

The following is an interview we conducted in March and April, 2012 with "Touma," (Thomas), a highly educated, multi-lingual Christian of Syrian-Christian heritage who now resides in the United States. Touma is a devout member of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Michael Hoffman: You were born in Lebanon and raised in a family of Syrian Christians, is that correct?

Touma: Yes, I was born and raised in Lebanon. Both my parents are from Syria. We prefer to qualify ourselves as "Syrian Christians" rather than "Arab Christians," because Syrians remain genetically and culturally distinct from the Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula, even though they have adopted Arabic as their spoken language, and the majority have adopted Islam as their religion. Syriac-Aramaic is the original Syrian tongue, which has been spoken for at least 3,500 years in the Levant. It is still spoken in a few Syrian villages. Syriac-Aramaic is still the liturgical language of the Syriac Orthodox and Catholic Church, and the Maronite Church. The majority of village names are Syriac-Aramaic. Syrians are the descendants of Aram, who is the son of Shem according to the Holy Bible.

The transition from Syriac-Aramaic to Arabic took centuries, starting from the Arab conquest in the 7th century.  As late as the 18th century, the Syriac-Aramaic tongue was still dominant in large swaths of Syria. The translation of the worship services from Syriac-Aramaic to Arabic occurred around the 17th century in the Eastern (Greek) Orthodox Church of Antioch. As you know, Syriac-Aramaic was the language which our Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles spoke. It was the lingua franca of the common people of Greater Syria, which includes present day Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Kuwait, and parts of Jordan, Cyprus and Turkey. Greek became the learned language after the conquest by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, and remained so until after the Crusades, after which Arabic began to dominate.

Abraham and his family were Syrian Arameans. "And thou shalt speak and say before Yahweh thy God; A Syrian ready to perish was my father [Jacob], and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous" (Deut. 26:5)

Hoffman: How long has your family been Christian and how long have they been resident in Syria?

Touma: Both paternal and maternal sides of the family have been Christians for centuries. It is likely that our ancestors were Christians since before the Arab conquest of the 7th century, because Islam makes it illegal to convert from Islam to Christianity. Such a conversion is punishable by death, but the reverse conversion is encouraged by financial and social inducements. It is well known from the Bible and historical sources, that Syria was the base and anchor of the Early Church, from which the rest of the Roman Empire was evangelized. St. Paul departed on his three evangelizing journeys from Syria. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD (according to the prophecy of the Lord Jesus Christ), Syria became the center of the Christian Church. Syria was a major and rich Roman province for centuries. It had been completely Christianized by the time of the Muslim conquest in the 7th century.

Hoffman: You have lived in Lebanon for how many years before coming to America?

Touma: I emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 24.

Hoffman: You have Christian relatives and other contacts still residing in Syria. What do they relate concerning the crisis there? What is their view of Assad and of the opposition to him, both violent and non-violent rebels and dissidents?

Touma: I have spoken to my Christian relatives at Christmas and still correspond with them. They are extremely dismayed by the armed rebels whom they characterize as being fundamentalist Islamic terrorists, supported by the rich Gulf countries, among whom are also many foreign mercenaries and Western intelligence operatives. My relatives believe that political and economic reforms are in order (all countries need this to different degrees), but they believe that these reforms must be done peacefully and gradually. Syria has already witnessed a great deal of reforms already during the 12 years that Bashar Al Assad has been president. My relatives informed me of how businesses and restaurants have proliferated, salaries raised, and a greater variety of consumer goods became available, applying for passports became easier, etc.

They like the person of the President, his wife and family, who are very well educated and affable. They do realize that the Baath Party apparatus needs to be gradually transformed and purged of tyrannical elements. My relatives are deathly afraid that, if the Islamist armed revolution succeeds, God forbid, their fate will be as tragic as that of the Iraqi Christians, many of whom are still refugees in Syria. My relatives believe that the secular government of Al Assad and his late father has protected all minorities, including the Christians, and has helped them prosper.

Hoffman: How much credit do you give to reports, most recently by Peter Oborne in England's Daily Telegraph newspaper, that Al-Qaeda is operating in Syria against Assad?

Touma: I give Peter Oborne's report much credibility. I have always believed that Al Qaeda has been, from its inception, a US/Saudi false flag operation, using fanatical fundamentalist Islamists as patsies. If one critically examines all of Al Qaeda's public actions and statements, they fall perfectly in line with imperial US/Israeli interests. Many credible reports and much evidence has demonstrated that Al Qaeda has run over Libya in the wake ofNATO's aggression and war crimes. One can conclude that NATO and Al Qaeda were secret allies in Libya. The same is evident in Syria, since it is no secret that the US/NATO/Israeli/GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) agenda is to topple the legitimate, current Syrian government and replace it with a puppet Islamic fundamentalist regime. The pattern of car bombings and terrorism perpetrated by the armed revolt in Syria is also characteristic of the Al Qaeda's modus operandi. There is also much evidence that Al Qaeda assassinated Rafiq Hariri, the late prime minister of Lebanon.

Hoffman: Al-Qaeda is part of the Salafist Sunni movement. In your opinion how likely is it that Salafist Sunni Muslims will take over Syria if rebel forces overthrow the government?

Touma: If the present and legitimate Syrian government is overthrown, there is no doubt that it will be replaced by a Salafist junta. The Salafist Sunni movement began in Saudi Arabia under Muhammad Ibn Abd al Wahhab toward the end of the 18th century. They prefer to call themselves Salafi rather than Wahhabi, even though both names depict the same religious movement. Salafism/Wahhabism claims to have rediscovered the correct interpretation of the Quran and Hadith in a much stricter and narrow sense. They have destroyed many religious sites, mausoleums, and tombs in Saudi Arabia because they believe such sites incite to idolatry.

There is also a "Takfiri" movement which is another manifestation of Salafism, and which tends to label all those outside their movement as apostates, and advocates violence against them, even if they are muslims. Syria has, however, championed moderate Islam for centuries, and is tolerant of all Muslim and non-Muslim groups and religions. In my opinion Salafism/Wahhabism/Takfirism will fail in Syria because the political and religious culture of this ancient country is tolerant and open to dialogue and exchange of ideas . Syria is a much more civilized environment than Saudi Arabia and the other GCC countries, who were very primitive and tribal until a few decades ago, and now wield much financial power due to their oil boom (they are however still tribal and retrograde).  Syria is the cradle of civilization. The history of Syria retraces the history of the world.

Hoffman: What would happen to Syria's Christian Arabs if Syria was to be ruled by Sunni Muslims, and would you differentiate between Salafist and more moderate Sunni rulers, or would the results be the same whether "moderate'" or extremist Sunnis were to rule Syria?

Touma: There is absolutely no doubt that Salafi rule in Syria will be an unmitigated disaster for the Christians. There is a vast difference between the imported Salafi extremism and the moderate native Sunni culture in Syria. The majority of Sunnis in Syria still support the Assad government to this day and are a very important part of the state organs. The fate of Syrian Christians would be secure under such moderate Sunni rulers. Salafism on the other hand, would be enormously destructive, not only to the Christians, but also to all Syrian peoples of all religions including the Sunnis and even the extremists themselves.

It is important to note this key fact: the Saud family and Wahhabism were strongly supported by the British Empire during the 18th, 19th, and first half of the 20th centuries. (It is not surprising for the British to support a Judaic tribe or interest). Evidence points to the Judaic origin of the Saud family, descendants of a Jew from southern Iraq, called Mordachai. Support of the Saud family was also provided by the successor of the British Empire, the American Empire. It is well known in the historical annals that the British encouraged different extremist sects in India and other nations, which they used as a tool to divide and
conquer. There is nothing new under the sun.

Hoffman: The American media have declared that one of the bloodiest years in the Middle East was 1982 when Hafiz al-Asad bombed the city of Hama. The media have ignored Ariel Sharon's bombardment of the city of Beirut, Lebanon in the summer of that same year, which consisted of the terror bombing of schools, hospitals and apartment blocks, culminating in the intense August, 1982 carpet bombing of the city by the Israelis. Since you were in Lebanon at that
time, do you have any memories of the attack and did you speak to anyone who was there during the attack or the subsequent clean-up? If so, what did you see or what did the Lebanese who were witnesses relate about this now forgotten Israeli war crime?

Touma: I was in Lebanon during the Israeli invasion of 1982 and escaped to the mountains north of Beirut during its heinous bombardment by the Israelis in the summer of that year. The ferocity of the Israeli bombing was unfathomable. It has left an indelible memory of horror and repugnance in my consciousness. Israeli war planes and navy ships indiscriminately bombed western Beirut, not sparing apartment blocks, schools, or hospitals. The same was repeated in 2006 when the Israeli state intensely bombed the whole of Lebanon for 33 days, and dropped millions of cluster bombs in the last few days of their attack. These bombs are still reaping their victims in the countryside of South Lebanon.

Hoffman: Since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein thousands of Christians have fled Iraq. Furthermore, when the U.S. lost all sense of balance and fairness and sided unconditionally with the Israelis, the number of Palestinians who are Christians declined markedly. Would you say that this process is a deliberate one, or has it come about merely as a by-product of bad wars and strange alliances? If you think it is deliberate, what is the ultimate objective and who is responsible?

Touma: I believe the persecution and killing of Iraqi Christians was a deliberate act of terrorism and ethnic cleansing, masterminded by the US and the Israeli state, and executed by their fundamentalist Muslim and Kurdish assets. The long term goal of the Zionist state has always been to destroy Christianity in the Levant and to encourage Islamic fundamentalism, which will serve several purposes: first, it will give the Zionists the excuse that they have no partners for peace with whom to dialogue. Second, it will give the Zionists the alibi for militarily expansion. Third, it will foster the persecution of Christians. Fourth, it will slow any progress in the countries afflicted by Islamic fundamentalism.

The drastic reduction of Christians in Palestine has been achieved indirectly through the persecution of all Palestinians. Because the Christians tend to be wealthy there and better educated, they have (unfortunately) a lower birth rate and a higher immigration rate than Muslims. This has resulted in the sharp drop in the numbers and proportion of Christians in the total Palestinian population, and in the rest of the Middle East.

Hoffman: What do you say to Christians, especially Protestants who visit "Israel" and meet only with Zionists while ignoring the indigenous Christians? This seems to be a trend - as if Christian Palestinians don't exist and American Christians are under no obligation to fellowship with or support their brothers in Christ.

Touma: I believe that the lack of concern or care by visiting Western Christians with regard to their Palestinian coreligionists is a grave sin. It is in violation of Christ's commandments and of St. Paul's admonitions: "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6;10)  This trend is a result of direct Zionist influence and propaganda, especially on evangelical groups and their horrendously faulty theology concerning who the Jews are today, who the Chosen People are, and who has a covenant with God.

According to the orthodox interpretation of the Holy Scriptures by the Early Church, which, by the way, had a high proportion of Jewish Christians, the Pharisees and their Jewish followers have been severed and cut off from God and from any covenant or special relation with Him, because they rejected and killed Jesus Christ, Who is Himself Yahweh incarnate, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Christ is the Giver of the Law to Moses, as is clearly understood from the New Testament. The Chosen People are now the True Christians who, through faith and Baptism in Christ, are the sons of Abraham, and who reap the benefits of the promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which is given in the Messiah Yehoshua, son of Mariam.

Hoffman: You are a member of the Eastern Orthodox Church. What are its prospects and those of associated Orthodox churches in the Middle East?

Touma: Unfortunately the prospects of the Orthodox Church and all other churches in the Middle East are not very bright.  The majority of Christians themselves have become their own worst enemies, in addition to being surrounded by external enemies. They have fallen away from their saving faith. They also have a low birth rate and high immigration rate. I myself and my family are an example of such immigration, which was induced by the Lebanese civil war,
and which lasted from 1975 to 1990, followed by other intermittent disturbances, the worst being the heinous attack of the Zionist state on Lebanon in July 2006.

Christians are protected by law in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, and have more civil and political rights in Lebanon than in any other Muslim country.Tragically, they have squandered their heritage and lost much ground, especially during and after the treasonous alliance of a section of the Lebanese Maronites with the Israeli state during the 1975-1990 civil war. Some Maronite factions are still clandestinely allied to the Israelis to this day. The "Christian" pro-Zionist factions in Lebanon are currently opposed by a larger segment of patriotic Lebanese Christians who fully understand that the Israeli and Western governments are their deadly enemies. I hope these patriots will be strengthened and grow, and that the deceived or treasonous minority will repent or be marginalized.

A revival of true Christianity will be granted to us by God if we repent and return to the Orthodox Faith of our Holy Fathers.

Hoffman: Do you think American-Christians of Arab descent will ever form a block of influence in the United States and lobby nationally for peace and for Christ in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria?

Touma: Barring a miracle, I doubt that the American Christians of Middle Eastern origin will ever unite. The reasons are multifarious. They belong to different sects and different countries of origin and they do not understand themselves as a race. Unfortunately, most are secular and have no internal cohesion and have become Americanized to different degrees. Most have an identity crisis and are confused as to what or to whom their true inner being belongs; are they really Lebanese, Syrian, American, or Christian? What kind of Christian? I passed through such a phase and crisis myself. Most of my family and friends have not yet emerged from such an identity crisis. Many do not understand that the priority for a man's soul is to belong to Christ, He who renews man's heart and mind. All good and profitable things will flow from such a spiritual transformation, for the benefit of the repentant person, his community, and the country in which he lives.

Hoffman: You now reside in the United States. Who will you be voting for in the election for President of the United States and why?

Touma: There is no doubt in my mind that the most trustworthy and patriotic among all candidates, by far, is Ron Paul. I will be voting for him. I have volunteered to help in his campaign not only in this election cycle but also in 2008. His congressional record has always been a strong and consistent respect of the Constitution and the principles of freedom on which this country was built. He has always put the interests of America above that of alliances or allegiances
to foreign countries, and above personal gain. He is a fiscal and social conservative who is against the evil wars in the Middle East and around the world. He understands very well the cost of empire and wants to reform our corrupt monetary system and debt based fiat currency. I have followed his activity since 2005. He does not swerve or sell out for the sake of political expediency or personal profit. He is a man of integrity.

...The root of this conflict is very simple with extremely complex ramifications: it is the subversion of authentic Orthodox Christianity, and the rejection of Jesus Christ as Lord, God, and Savior by both Judaics and Muslims.

[ada]

Thanks Mike!