Syrian Authorities Arrest Kurdish Pastor Nahad Hassan in Afrin on Religious Incitement Charges

Syrian authorities have arrested Kurdish Evangelical pastor Nahad Hassan in the Afrin region of northern Syria, according to church and official sources. The detention followed allegations that Hassan published content on social media platforms that was characterized as religious incitement aimed at disturbing community peace.

The Evangelical Kurdish Church, based in Beirut, Lebanon, confirmed that Hassan, who served as the church shepherd, was taken into custody due to publications attributed to him. The church stated that the arrest raised concerns regarding freedom of expression and religious activity in the region, requesting that the legal circumstances of the case be clarified transparently.

A local official in northern Syria told press sources that the arrest occurred in the predominantly Kurdish area of Afrin. The official noted that leaflets observed on Hassan’s Facebook account contained expressions described as hostile and offensive toward Muslims. The official added that current Syrian laws address attempts to provoke sectarian or religious strife with firm measures.

Available information indicates that Hassan converted to Christianity in 2008 and had frequently visited northern Syria in recent years. Reports state that he intended to settle permanently in the region prior to his arrest on July 19. He is expected to appear before a competent court in the near future.

The incident occurs amid sensitive political and security conditions in Syria, particularly following the rise of the current authority in December 2024. The new government has made repeated promises to protect religious and ethnic minorities and guarantee their rights to practice freely and safely.

Despite these pledges, the country has experienced security incidents targeting places of worship, including a bloody attack on a church in Damascus in June 2025. These sporadic events have raised questions about the authorities’ ability to maintain security and protect religious diversity amidst persistent regional tensions.

The Evangelical Kurdish Church has called on Syrian authorities to release Pastor Hassan immediately and unconditionally, asserting that his detention contradicts human rights principles. The church emphasized the need for dialogue and tolerance to prevail over legal prosecutions tied to religious views or virtual publications that may be subject to interpretation. As justice and mercy intersect in the public square, the pursuit of truth and the protection of the vulnerable remain central to the moral witness of the community, echoing the call for righteousness and justice in Micah 6:8.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Arabic)