In the turbulent lands of the Near East and Middle East, the struggles that Christians face often fade into the background. These are the descendants of the very first followers of Christ, whose trials deserve our attention and support.
Since the onset of the so-called “Arab Springs”, the persecution of Christians—who have held steadfast to their faith since before the rise of Islam—has only worsened. Communities like the Copts, Chaldeans, Greek-Melkites, and Maronites find themselves driven into exile, many seeking refuge in nations such as Canada, the United States, and Australia.
However, this wave of exile is not new. During the First World War, many Syrian and Lebanese Christians sought sanctuary in Brazil, Argentina, and other Ibero-American countries. These brave souls, often traveling on Ottoman passports, were mistakenly branded as “Turks”—a label they resented, given they were escaping the very Muslim power that persecuted them, particularly targeting Armenians and Greeks.
Looking back, the historical precedent set by North Africa serves as a stark reminder. This region, once home to 600 dioceses and saints like Augustine of Hippo, stands as both a painful and enlightening example. Today, these territories and their rich Christian heritage have faced a cultural and religious overhaul.
Yet, modern progressives and other activist groups remain silent on these historical erasures. They ignore the cultural impositions that have affected Christian natives across North Africa and Europe, from Constantinople to the Balkans, including Spain—a nation that uniquely reclaimed itself from Islamic conquest.
The contradiction is glaring: while condemning the conquest of the Americas, they turn a blind eye or even celebrate Islamic conquests, denying or downplaying centuries of Christian enslavement by Muslims. In Spain, Christians were treated as second-class citizens under Islamic rule until the historic Reconquista.
“There has been no other case in which, after a significant territory was conquered by Islam—or by another civilization—subjugated and deeply transformed by that foreign civilization, with nearly all its inhabitants converted to an alien religion, it was finally, centuries later, that it was recovered by the small remnants of the originally conquered kingdom. And furthermore, that the reconquerors did not merely impose themselves on the invaders but restored their own culture throughout the territory, eradicated the attacking civilization, and reinstated the original religion, establishing a new version that succeeded, albeit partially, the same extinguished civilization.
The Reconquista was such a great and singular feat that, for this reason alone, the history of Spain is entirely different from all others.”
Historian Stanley Payne highlights the Reconquista’s profound impact, noting it as a testament to the tenacity and resilience of the Spanish people. It was a pivotal moment in history, responsible for spreading Western culture globally and sowing the seeds of International Law.
However, as Payne warns, the last two centuries have birthed the myth of Al-Andalus as a utopia of tolerance, a narrative that romanticists have propagated as part of the anti-Spanish Black Legend. This falsehood paints Christian Spain as a dark force against a supposedly enlightened Islamic past.
Eastern Christians, mindful of the Spanish Reconquista, often wish for a similar reclamation in their lands. Lebanon, once a beacon of Christianity, now sees its Christian community dwindling as many Lebanese, shaped by conflict, choose to settle abroad, losing hope of returning to their ancestral lands.
In light of the “Arab Springs,” Christians in these regions are increasingly marginalized. It is imperative for Europe and America to recognize these communities as vital allies. Their resolve has preserved the faith that enriches our culture, and it is our duty to act in solidarity with them.
Thus, as we reflect on our cultural fascination with the East since Romanticism, let us ensure that we view it through a Christian lens—one that honors and supports those fighting to preserve their heritage.
