An Open Letter for Peace in the Middle East
From the Presbyterian Church of Aleppo
March 5, 2026
In response to the US/Israeli - Iran War, which has now engulfed eleven nations in the Middle East, the Presbyterian Church (USA) Office of Public Witness states: "We are deeply troubled by the expanding military assault on Iran and the widening regional war it has now become. As Christians shaped by the reconciling love of Jesus Christ, we grieve every life lost and every family now living in terror. Decisions of war and peace are measured not in political claims but in human lives."
Israeli strikes in Lebanon (in response to Hezbollah drones sent into northern Israel) have killed at least 80 Lebanese civilians and displaced as many as 83,000 people, who are sleeping in the streets of Beirut or in schools converted into shelters. Even the shelters now do not have enough space for the displaced persons.
The pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Aleppo, Reverend Ibrahim Nseir, shares this Open Message for Peace in the Middle East.
Beloved sisters and brothers in Christ in our region and throughout the world, grace and peace to you.
From the ancient city of Aleppo—where the stones themselves carry the memory of suffering and endurance—we raise our voice not in anger or accusation, but in hope. Our land has known deep grief. Too many families mourn, and too many children have grown accustomed to the sound of fear instead of laughter. Yet even in the shadow of hardship, the light of Christ has not been extinguished.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Peace is not weakness; it is courage. Peace is the holy work of those who refuse to allow hatred to define the future. As followers of Christ, we are not permitted to surrender to bitterness. We are called to build bridges where others build walls, to sow reconciliation where there is division, and to embody the grace we ourselves have received.
Jesus also teaches us, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). These words are not easy. They challenge our wounded hearts and stretch our faith. Yet they remind us that violence cannot heal violence. Only love has the power to break the endless cycle of revenge, and only forgiveness can open a new chapter in history.
To all political leaders, armed groups, and nations involved in the conflicts of our region, we urge you to remember the sacredness of every human life. Every person—Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Druze, Yazidi, or of any faith or none—is created in the image of God. The blood of our children must never become a tool for negotiation, and the suffering of civilians must never be reduced to strategy.
Our Lord also said, “Put your sword back in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). Weapons may promise security, but they cannot create trust. Power enforced by fear cannot build lasting peace. True security is born from justice, dignity, and mutual recognition.
From Aleppo—a city wounded yet still standing—I affirm, as pastor of the Presbyterian Church, that reconciliation is possible. We have witnessed neighbors protecting one another across religious and ethnic lines. We have seen compassion shine in the darkest hours. This is the Middle East we believe in: not a land destined for endless conflict, but a cradle of faith, culture, and human resilience.
Jesus assures us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives” (John 14:27). The peace of Christ is not merely the absence of war; it is the presence of justice. It is the restoration of relationships and the courage to recognize the image of God in the face of the other.
Therefore, we call upon our congregations and all people of goodwill to pray for peace without ceasing, to protect the vulnerable, to refuse speech that incites hatred, to seek dialogue before division, and to teach our children hope rather than hostility. May our churches be sanctuaries of reconciliation, may our mosques echo with prayers for mercy, and may our leaders choose wisdom over pride.
May the God of peace, who raised Jesus Christ from the dead, guide our region from despair to restoration.
“Blessed are the peacemakers.” With faith, hope, and steadfast love,
In Christ’s service,
The Presbyterian Church of Aleppo
Rev. Ibrahim Nsier