A Kurdish pastor has been released from a Syrian prison after being detained for two weeks without an official charge. 

Pastor Nihad Hassan was visiting family in Afrin, Syria, when authorities arrested him on July 20. He was reportedly detained because the government deemed his comments about Islam on social media were offensive. Hassan has also been known for speaking out about the dangers to Kurds, an ethnic minority group in Syria. 

On August 3, he was released and sent back to Beirut, Lebanon, where his family and congregants met him with applause. 

“We’re encouraged, grateful for God’s intervention. Pastor Nihad is in good spirits,” said Wissam Nasrallah, president of Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut, Lebanon. “His jail time did not go to waste. He utilized his time in jail to be a good witness.” 

In a statement, CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas celebrated Hassan’s release but said there are still reasons for concern.  

“While news that Pastor Hassan has been released and reunited with his family is welcome, we are concerned that he was detained for two weeks without charge and call on the transitional government of Syria to work towards ending the use of arbitrary arrest and detention in areas under its control. 

“We call on the Syrian government to address issues related to intercommunity relationships with full transparency and in accordance with law.” 

A Warning Sign

Hassan’s arrest serves as a warning not just for the Kurdish population but also for Christians to be wary of growing hostility from the Syrian government. In 2025, Open Doors ranked Syria as the 18th most dangerous place to be a Christian. This year, it jumped to sixth. 

Nasrallah called for Christians to turn to God and pray steadfastly for peace. 

“Sometimes when things are too comfortable, we tend to start relying on our own strength. This incident reminded us yet again that we cannot rely on our own strength,” Nasrallah said. “We need to be relying on God. He is the one who brings peace in the midst of the storm, and he is the one who provides comfort when everything around us seems dark.” 

Story by Bella Agnello 

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