Christian churches were an integral part of the fabric of the city of Raqqa.

After the liberation of the Raqqa, the new autonomous administration was concerned about rebuilding churches and worked on the re-construction and re-habilitation of archaeological sites, including churches.

Abdul Salam Hamsourk, co-chair of the Social Affairs and Labor Committee, said: “Since the liberation of the city of Raqqa by the SDF, we have been paying attention to the religious sites, to mosques and churches which were damaged and destroyed by the military operations in the city.”

Meanwhile, Hamsourg said we "called on international organizations to help in re-construction because these churches are considered sacred symbols, and are part of the memory of the locals. The most important of these churches is the Martyrs' Church, which is the largest church in the city."

Hamsourg added: "We, in the Social Affairs and Labor Committee, in cooperation with the Foundation for Religious Affairs and under the supervision of the Civil Raqqa Council, are working to re-build the Martyrs' Church in the same design without changing the structure as it was in the past and to return as it was in the memory of the locals. This will be done under the supervision of specialized engineers.” 

Hamsourg continued: "At the very beginning, we worked to remove the debris of the church to reach the foundation of the building so to be able to rebuild it on the same old foundation, and we will work hard to finish its re-construction by New Year’s Day.” 

It is to be noted that about forty Armenian families returned to the city and are now waiting for their church to be reform to allow them to practice their rituals and religious ceremonies.