Al-Tabqa Christians celebrate Akito holiday

AL-TABQA –Large numbers of Christian families were forced to leave their city under domination of IS gangs, and were unable to celebrate their religious holidays after prohibition by IS gangs and other gangs from celebrating their holidays.

After liberating al-Tabqa city on May 10, 2017 By Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) the situation improved and everyone could practice their religious rites and celebrate the holidays.

A Christen citizen in al-Tabqa said "We have not been able to celebrate for 7 years, but today we have celebrated thank God, thanks to Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), we have had a holiday and we have celebrated freely".

Um Sako considered the holiday approved by Democratic Civil Administration in al-Tabqa city on the occasion of the Akito holiday which is a step to strengthen our cohesion and we are one people and one hand and this made us happy. Expressing their joy by congratulating all the components of the city for them in their holiday.

"Abu Robin" called Christians to return to al-Tabqa and beginning the reconstruction of churches destroyed by IS gangs.

Al-Tabqa contains of 3 major churches that were completely destroyed by IS gangs.

Al-Tabqa city has embraced more than 600 Christian families before it was occupied by mercenary gangs.

Abu Robin, a Christian citizen residing in al-Tabqa city who has returned its after liberation, called on Christians to return al-Tabqa "because they are safe under Democratic Civil Administration."

In his turn, Abo Salim said "IS gangs deprived us of everything from walking and celebration of holidays and everything for IS gangs is heresy!”

(T/S)

ANHA