Forum Post: Syrian Christian Nun: Western Media Coverage a "Fake"

The Mother Superior at the Syrian monastery of St. John the Mutilated in Qaram, says there are very few Syrians among the Syrian "rebels," and she charges that Western news media coverage of ongoing violence in Syria has been "partial and untrue." The news coverage is a "fake," which "hides atrocities committed in the name of liberty and democracy," Mother Agnes Mariam said on video interview posted by the Irish Times.

She said that in Aleppo, foreigners came in, and went into civilian areas, and then they claimed that the Syrian army is bombing civilian areas. "We don't want to be invaded, as in Aleppo, by mercenaries, some of whom think they are fighting Israel. They bring terror, destruction, fear, and nobody protects the civilians," she said. She described one situation where rebels cut a man's finger off, and then beheaded him. She said that abuse of young girls, beheadings, and abductions by the rebels, are common.

Christians make up about 10 percent of Syria's population, and the Assad regime does not favor them, she said. "It is a secular regime based on equality for all, even though in the constitution it says the Koran is the source of legislation." But, she said, "Christians are less put aside than in other Islamic countries, for example Saudi Arabia." She added, "The social fabric of Syria is very diverse, so Christians live in peace."

The majority of Muslims in Syria are moderate and open to other cultural and interfaith elements, she said, but "Wahhabism is not open." There are "very few Syrians among the rebels," she said, adding, "Mercenaries should go home."