Young, educated Syrians face decision of staying or leaving country

Published: 2004-10-29

ALEPPO, Syria (CNS) -- When George Barnotty looks into the future, he sees a question mark. Trained as an agricultural engineer, the 28-year-old Christian could find work in his native city of Aleppo, raise a family and make his mother happy. Or, like thousands of Syrians before him and like many of his friends, he could go abroad. His aunt lives in the United States and has been trying to convince him and his brother to join her. "Our mother is worried that we'll leave this culture and never come back," Barnotty said in an interview in late October. Barnotty, a Melkite Catholic who is active in youth ministry, has a strong attachment to his homeland and to his church. Earlier this year he was the main organizer of the country's first Christian youth festival, which was highly successful. But recently, two of his young friends, a banker and a lawyer, left for France. "They won't be back," Barnotty said. Emigration frequently robs Syria of the best and the brightest of its younger generations. It affects Christians and Muslims, but perhaps the Christian minority feels its effects more.

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