Reverend Nahad Hassan, Patron of the Evangelical Kurdish Church in Beirut, Arrested in Syria Over Alleged Religious Incitement

The arrest of Reverend Nahad Hassan, identified as the patron of the Evangelical Kurdish Church in Beirut, has reignited debate in Syria regarding the boundaries between freedom of expression and religious speech during the country’s transitional period. Syrian authorities stated that they are committed to protecting freedoms and minorities while simultaneously pursuing content they deem illegal. Hassan was stopped in the Afrin area of northern Syria following publications attributed to him on social media, a development the Church announced publicly.

According to local Syrian sources, Hassan was arrested on July 19 after returning from Lebanon to his village of Gednars in the Rif Afrin district, accompanied by family members. Competent authorities reportedly identified previous publications assigned to him as contempt for religion and incitement, which prompted the Public Prosecutor’s Office to initiate proceedings. A Syrian official told France Press that the leaflets involved included “religious incitement.”

The case file was referred to the e-crimes department in Aleppo, while Hassan remains held in Ma’aratah prison in rural Afrin. The Evangelical Kurdish Church of Lebanon confirmed that Hassan is being held in the Afrin Central Civil Prison and that his file has been referred to the courts in Aleppo, a detail confirmed by his lawyer. A church official told France Press that Hassan would be brought before the court, while the church demanded that Syrian authorities release him immediately.

Media and social media leaders have called for accurate handling of information regarding the case, emphasizing that the official page is the source for any new developments. They denied the truth of news claiming the priest’s wife was also arrested. Hassan, originally from the village of Kordan, Jedares, in the Afrin district of Aleppo province, converted to Christianity and began his Bible service in 2008.

A church official noted that Hassan frequently visited northern Syria but intended to settle there during his last visit. The Ashouri Observatory for Human Rights stated that Hassan has been known for providing spiritual care and humanitarian assistance to needy and displaced persons in Syria, Lebanon, and other states. The Observatory reported learning of the arrest on July 20 and indicated that Hassan remained detained after his case file was referred to trial in Aleppo.

The situation highlights the tension between state security measures and the protection of religious minorities, a theme that resonates with the biblical call for justice and mercy toward the vulnerable. Micah 6:8 urges the pursuit of justice and the defense of the oppressed, reminding communities that accountability must be exercised with fairness and care for those in need. Proverbs 31:8-9 similarly calls for speaking up for those who cannot defend themselves, underscoring the moral imperative to ensure that legal processes protect the rights of the marginalized while maintaining public order.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Arabic)