About Syrians
The region of Mesopotamia, located on the rivers Tigris and Euphrates, is where most historians agree that civilisation began. And it is in this birthplace of civilisation that we can find the modern-day country of Syria and its people, the Syrians.
Syria's history overshadows that of most European countries. For a start, they are often mentioned in the Bible. From the people of Aram (mentioned countless times in the Old Testament) to their language, Aramaic, which became the language Jesus spoke - their influence is an inseparable part of the biblical narrative. In fact, it was in the Syrian city of Antioch that the term Christian was born. While the Syrian church itself is one of the oldest churches in existence. The long and impressive history behind the Syrian people cannot be denied.
Unfortunately, Syria is also in the midst of multiple wars and conflicts. Notably, the Syrian civil war, which began on 15 March 2011 amid Arab Spring protests. The war, which began when protesters were fired upon by the government of President Bashar al-Assad, has grown into a prominent global conflict involving many foreign powers from the Middle East to the United States.
The civil war ravaged the country and, not surprisingly, caused many who were caught in the crossfire to flee the country. In the mid-2010s, many of these people came to the Netherlands hoping to find help and a way forward.
Syrians now form the second-largest Arab group in the Netherlands - with about 130,000 people - a diversity that is well represented in Rotterdam.
Unfortunately, life has not been easy for Syrians here: 38% could only find temporary work and was dependent on benefits. This, combined with a general unease and distrust from native Dutch, makes integration difficult for Syrians.
Let us not forget that the church's most important attributes are its hospitality and commitment to community. Such a gift, and the God from whom it flows, is something our Syrian brothers and sisters could use right now.