PRESS RELEASE: Faith Leaders Urge President Trump to Act on Behalf of Persecuted Christians and Minorities in Syria
- The Danbury Institute
- Nov 8, 2025
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Danbury Institute’s chairman, Dr. Scott Colter, joins dozens of Christian leaders from across the United States in sending a joint letter to President Donald J. Trump requesting that he encourage Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa to protect Christians and religious minorities currently suffering serious persecution and distress. The Syrian president is scheduled to visit the United States, Monday, Nov. 10.
Signed by more than 70 prominent Christian and faith leaders representing tens of millions of believers across the United States, this letter demonstrates a strong and unified coalition seeking to appeal to President Trump on behalf of those being persecuted for their faith.
In the letter, the faith leaders express gratitude for President Trump’s past leadership in promoting religious freedom—particularly his decisive action in designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act—and urge similar action to protect vulnerable communities in Syria.
“You are the only major world leader fighting for religious freedom,” the letter states. “We need you once again to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
The signatories call upon President Trump to secure President al-Sharaa’s commitment to providing a humanitarian corridor from Hader to Suwayda in southern Syria, enabling safe aid delivery and civilian evacuation amid worsening violence, starvation, and deprivation in the region.
The letter was spearheaded by Matthew Faraci, Senior Advisor for Jewish and Israel Affairs for the National Association of Christian Lawmakers. Signatories include Dr. Jack Graham, Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church; Rob McCoy, Senior Pastor, Godspeak Calvary Chapel of Thousand Oaks; Dr. Ben Carson, Vice Chair, Religious Liberty Commission; Sam Brownback, Former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom; Ralph Reed, Founder & Chairman, Faith & Freedom Coalition; Ryan Helfenbein, Founder & Executive Director, Standing for Freedom Center; and Kelly Kullberg, General Secretary, American Association of Evangelicals among many others from across denominational and organizational lines.
The full text of the letter can be read here.
"This press release really sheds light on the critical need for advocacy and the weight of responsibility that leaders carry for those in need. It reminds me of a period last year when I was deeply involved in a local community outreach program while also trying to finish my degree; the emotional toll of the volunteer work combined with my studies was so heavy that I felt completely drained. At my lowest point, I actually found myself looking into an online class help service just to keep up with my assignments so I could stay focused on the humanitarian causes I cared about. Seeing people stand up for the persecuted is a powerful reminder of why we push through those overwhelming…
Reading this press release about faith leaders urging action for persecuted Christians and minorities in Syria really struck a chord with me, especially in how moral responsibility, policy decisions, and real human lives intersect. As a master’s student, I remember how overwhelmed I felt during intense exam periods and online classes, constantly balancing deadlines and academic pressure while worrying about grades, to the point where thoughts like whether to Online Economics class help briefly crossed my mind just to manage the stress. That experience pushed me to reflect more deeply, and in my free time I developed a strong interest in research and writing blog writing, article writing, and academic work because writing helps me process complex issues like those highlighte…