Sectarian tension follows arrest of Muslim man in Al-Qusayr

Sectarian tension broke out in the city of Al-Qusayr in Syria’s Homs Governorate after a Muslim man was arrested on 28 September.

CSW’s sources report that the individual was arrested after a local Christian man submitted a formal complaint accusing the arrested individual of encouraging members of the Muslim community to attack him and boycott his business.

Following the arrest, members of the Muslim community roamed the streets, intimidating local Christians and forcing shop owners to shut their shops and stay at home. Members of the mob were arrested and released later on the same day. CSW’s sources added that the situation remains tense despite efforts by the local authorities to diffuse it.

Another source said: ‘The Christian community [in Al-Qusayr] is shrinking rapidly and very few will remain if things don’t improve. Extremists in the town have been trying to spread an atmosphere of fear and collective punishment in the Christian community for months.’

CSW’s CEO Scot Bower said: ‘CSW is concerned by this latest outbreak of sectarian tension in Al-Qusayr, particularly as it occurs in the context of several months of hostility towards the local Christian community. We commend the efforts of the local authorities to de-escalate the situation and we call on them to crack down on extremists and hold those responsible for sectarian incitement to account. As Syria is emerging from a long period of tyranny and war, we encourage the transitional government to respect and protect the rights of all Syrian citizens without discrimination.’