During a recent meetings involving Patriots Europe (European politicians and parliamentarians), the question was raised again: Who is the de facto transitional president in Syria? Is it truly Abu Mohammad al-Julani (Ahmad al-Sharaa)? In remarks addressing the Syrian situation—a topic he has followed closely since 2011, having initially supported the Syrian revolution against Bashar al-Assad—Father Spyridon Tanous answered a question regarding the leadership of the current phase:
He explained that Abu Mohammad al-Julani (Ahmad al-Sharaa) is not, in reality, the one leading this stage; rather, he is part of the Sharia Council of the Al-Qaeda-linked organization in Syria. The true instigator—through his fatwas—against Christians is Abd al-Rahim Atoun, the head of the Sharia Council for Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Atoun is responsible for the incitement behind the violations committed against Christians—including church bombings. His open hostility toward Christians dates back to the founding of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front, a period that included the kidnapping of three priests and two bishops.
Father Tanous cited an example from one of Atoun’s speeches and fatwas, in which he incited against Christian holidays, stating:
“The Christians’ celebration of the Gregorian New Year is a characteristic of their false religion.
Celebrating Christmas constitutes imitating Christians in a practice specific to them; it is a blameworthy and forbidden act.
Therefore, it is not permissible for a Muslim to celebrate as they do, to offer them holiday greetings, or to exchange gifts with them on their holiday.”
Father Tanous added that this takfiri (excommunicationist) ideology persists to this day, targeting not only Christians but also moderate Muslims—specifically those Syrian Muslims who do not subscribe to the Wahhabi, Salafi-Jihadist, or takfiri schools of thought.
He asserted that this approach cannot be sustained in Syria, a country where the majority holds moderate intellectual views.
Furthermore, he warned that any attempt to legitimize or promote this authority would directly and negatively impact the European Union by fueling extremism and the spread of takfiri ideology.
