When people were fleeing a devastated Aleppo at the height of the war, Fr Firas Lutfi returned to his home country to stand by those who remained in the Syrian city.
The Franciscan friar had left Aleppo before the war to continue his studies in Rome, but when in 2015 his superior asked if he wanted to return, he accepted immediately.
“I wanted to be by those who were suffering and who needed all kinds of support – not just food, electricity and water, but also psychological and spiritual.
“I encourage Syrians – at the borders, in Europe and everywhere – to come back.”
Fr Lutfi remembers Aleppo before the war, when it was “the city that never slept”. Sadly the war destroyed it completely – it broke not just the infrastructure and the economy, but also the inhabitants, particularly the children.
“Children were helpless – they could not do anything but suffer, without any kind of support to help them to rehabilitate.”
Fr Lutfi, 42, was speaking to Times of Malta during the launch of the 2015-17 report called Persecuted and Forgotten? by the international charity Aid to the Church in Need.
The report warns that persecution of Christians in the worst regions has reached record historic levels, with increasing attacks by governments and fundamentalist groups including Isis and Boko Haram.
As one of the friars who chose to remain in Aleppo during the most gruelling years of the war,Fr Lutfi is best known for his work with children and families.
During his time as Franciscan superior of the Terre Sainte College, the friary was hit by jihadi missiles on May 21 of last year, killing one and injuring others.
At the time, 22 elderly women were sheltering in the convent after their nursing home was bombed. He recalls the panic and concern also for children and their families seeking refuge there.
It will not be easy it will take time, but we are full of hope
The incident left a “dramatic” impact, but after a few days the community started rebuilding the place and “life continued”.
Where did they find the strength to plough on?
“We had two options: to give in to suffering and depression or to move on. We realised that our job was to help people who had lost their homes and relatives to not give up.”
Is he hopeful that Syria will return to the state he remembers?
“Hope was difficult to come by until December 22. But once the jihadists fled the city, hope returned and we are now working on rebuilding Aleppo and Syria. It will not be easy, and it will take time, but we are full of hope,” Fr Lutfi noted.
ACN has helped his community with several projects – starting off with furnishing the basics: food and medicine. These needs remain, but the community is now helping people rebuild homes, provide others with work opportunities and financially support those who would like to start a small business.
Meanwhile, Christian children are being supported to cope with their post-war trauma, but an upcoming project will rope in all those who lost their families, including the children of jihadists.
“We open our arms to everybody. There are some who want to get rid of these children, but they are human beings and we are people of faith.”
The first step is reconciliation: the war divided Christians from Muslims, while Muslims were divided in between themselves.
“We are creating opportunities of dialogue – forgiveness is key in our religion.”
Those who would like to help with Fr Lutfi’s mission in Syria can log on to www.acnmalta.org or get in touch on info@acnmalta.org or 2148 7818.