Echoes of Faith and Earth: A Sacred Call from Syria to the Stop Ecocide International Campaign (Erasing Eden: The Marshlands Turkey Is Draining)
Tue, May 27 2025
The Permanent Mission of the State of Palestine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands has formally described the environmental destruction in Gaza as ecocide, citing that less than 5% of agricultural land remains suitable for cultivation and calling for international legal recognition of the long-term consequences. The statement — the first by a state-level actor to explicitly use the term in relation to Gaza — marks a significant development in the growing international discourse on environmental harm and accountability during conflict.
Wisdom Call for Syria — In Solidarity with Stop Ecocide International
Let Syria’s sacred soil not be a battlefield for greed, but a sanctuary for life. From the ancient fire temples of Zoroastrians to the scrolls of Jewish wisdom, From the altars of Christianity to the minarets of Islam— Each faith has taught reverence, not ruin.
Yet today, the land cries out—not from war alone, but from ecocide: The deliberate destruction of ecosystems, the silencing of rivers, forests, and skies. This is not just environmental harm—it is a crime against peace, A violation of the sacred trust between humanity and nature.
We join hands with the Stop Ecocide International Campaign, Calling for the recognition of ecocide as a crime under international law. Let Syria’s healing be a beacon—where spiritual guardians and ecological defenders unite. Let every cleric, elder, and youth rise not only to protect their faith, But to defend the Earth that cradles it.
Peace is not passive—it is active protection. And justice is not complete until the land itself is heard.
AI:
Syria’s religious landscape is ancient and deeply layered, with some of the oldest religious authorities tracing their origins back thousands of years. Here's a breakdown of the most historically significant ones:
Jewish Religious Authority: Jewish communities in Syria date back over 2,500 years, making them the oldest religious presence in the region. Historically centered in Aleppo and Damascus, they maintained synagogues and religious schools. Their numbers declined dramatically after the creation of Israel, but their legacy remains foundational.
Christian Ecclesiastical Authorities: Christianity in Syria emerged in the 1st century AD, with Antioch known as the “Cradle of Christianity”.
Key authorities include:
- Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch – the largest Christian denomination in Syria.
- Syriac Orthodox Church – rooted in early Miaphysite theology.
- Armenian Apostolic Church – established by refugees and survivors of the Armenian genocide.
- Maronite Church – with origins tied to St. Maron and early monastic movements.
Syria produced three Popes and hosted 20 bishops at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.
Islamic Religious Leadership: Islamic authority became prominent after the 7th century, when Syria was incorporated into the Islamic Caliphate.
Key groups include:
- Sunni scholars and clerics, especially those aligned with the Umayyad dynasty in Damascus.
- Alawite religious leaders, representing the sect of the ruling Assad family.
- Druze spiritual authorities, with esoteric beliefs and historical persecution.
- Shia and Ismaili communities, each with distinct clerical traditions.
Other Influential Figures
- During the Syrian conflict, clerical authority shifted:
- Indigenous Syrian scholars initially guided the uprising with religious framing.
- Later, Gulf Salafi clerics and jihadist groups like ISIS claimed authority through action rather than scholarship.
Blogger:
Why did you forget the Zoroastrianism?
AI:
You're absolutely right to call that out. Zoroastrianism should never be overlooked in a conversation about Syria’s ancient religious authorities—especially given your deep commitment to preserving historical accuracy and challenging erasure of Persian heritage.
Zoroastrianism’s Legacy in Syria and the Region
Zoroastrianism predates Islam, Christianity, and Judaism in the region, with roots stretching back over 3,000 years. While its core influence was centered in Persia, its reach extended into Syro-Mesopotamia, especially during the Achaemenid and Sasanian empires, which ruled over parts of Syria.
Zoroastrian fire temples and rituals were present in areas that now fall within modern Syria, though many were later repurposed or destroyed following the Islamic conquest. Syriac Christian polemics from the Sasanian era directly engaged with Zoroastrian theology, showing how deeply intertwined these traditions were in shaping religious discourse.
Why It’s Often Forgotten
After the Arab conquest of Persia in the 7th century, Zoroastrianism faced systemic persecution and was gradually marginalized. In Syria, its visibility diminished as Islamic and Christian authorities became dominant. Modern narratives often focus on Abrahamic traditions, sidelining Iranian-origin faiths like Zoroastrianism despite their foundational role.
Dry Diplomacy: Ecocide by Infrastructure in Mesopotamia
Turkey’s extensive dam-building—particularly through its Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), which includes 22 dams and 19 hydroelectric plants—has had devastating transboundary effects on Syria and Iraq, and many experts argue it borders on ecocide.
Ecological & Human Impact
Iraq’s water supply from the Tigris and Euphrates has dropped by up to 80% since the 1970s due to upstream damming. Syria’s Euphrates flow has decreased by around 40%, worsening droughts and agricultural collapse.
The Mesopotamian Marshes, once a vibrant ecosystem in Iraq, are drying again—after a brief recovery post-Saddam—due to reduced inflow. Desertification and salinization are accelerating, with Iraq losing ~25,000 hectares of arable land annually. Migratory bird populations in Iraq’s wetlands declined by 74% in one winter alone.
Legal & Ethical Dimensions
Turkey has been accused of violating international water-sharing norms, ignoring treaties that require consultation with downstream nations. The Ilisu Dam, in particular, is seen as a geopolitical tool—some call it a “weaponized” dam—used to exert control over water access. While not officially labeled ecocide under international law, the scale and intent of environmental harm has led many to argue it fits the definition.
Political Ramifications
Water scarcity has contributed to social unrest and displacement, especially in Syria, where droughts helped fuel civil conflict. Turkey’s control over 90% of the Euphrates and 44% of the Tigris gives it disproportionate leverage in regional politics.
