Nuanced Sectarianism in Homs

Interview on inter-faith relations in a semi-divided city

Earlier this month I met with a dentist and his daughter, both Alawi activists, living in Akrama. I had previously met them in May in rural Tartous when I had hosted a dialogue session between activists from Ismaili, Alawi, and Christian communities. Throughout the session the two of them brought a uniquely different perspective to the discussion compared to the Tartousi Alawis.

This pattern is something I have increasingly noticed in my work with activists in the coast and in Homs. Homs’ complex sectarian fabric and relationships is clearly reflected in the way its Alawi community views Syria’s current challenges. Rather than the “violent landscape of sectarian killings” that some observers have claimed, these locals describe a much more complex city in which geography and history plays just as, if not a more important, role than sect. As the dentist explained when reacting to the above article, “Bad things are happening but it is not as described as a landscape of violence. This speech is very extreme. Life is not as miserable as they describe it. It might not be that happy but it is going on.”

Our conversation began with the current conditions of Akrama neighborhood before turning to other neighborhoods in the city, highlighting the role of poverty in fueling violent crime. These neighborhood-level assessments are an important first step in understanding the complexities of violence and sectarianism in the city, and the reflections here should be compared with others I have written on Abbassiyah and Zahraa neighborhoods. We also discuss the perceptions of the General Security forces and the lack of NGO support for social cohesion activities in the city. An edited version of the interview can be found below.