Syria – "We try to do the normal things, in times that are not normal"

22 February 2016

(ANS - Aleppo) – There were new attacks and new massacres all over Syria on Sunday, 21 February: four explosions in Damascus, two attacks in Homs, and Aleppo is again disputed land between the army and various rebel factions. In this nightmare scenario the Salesians remain alongside the young people.

"We here, as Salesians, are doing with the young people what Don Bosco wants us to do with all young people. We try to do the normal things, in times that are not normal” says Fr Pier Jabloyan from the Salesian work in Aleppo.

In a short video posted on Facebook, Fr Jabloyan thanked all who have shown solidarity with the Salesian oratory at Schio and explained the reality of life in his city of Aleppo: "Here we are living in the middle of war."

In such a situation the young have even more need of socialization, entertainment and fraternity. "Here young people are looking for a quiet place, a place where they can play and where they can talk ..." says Fr Jabloyan, while in the background you can see dozens of boys and girls who are having fun, in what may seem like an oratory in any city in the world.

"Thank you for everything you are doing for us; and at the same time we Salesians are asking for one thing: to pray for us, because in these tough times, we are staying here," Fr. Jabloyan concluded.

In March it will be five years since the outbreak of war in Syria, a war that has so far claimed more than 260 thousand deaths, more than 7.5 million IDPs and 4 million refugees.

Meanwhile, the main countries that are directly or indirectly involved continue to negotiate for an agreed solution.

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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