The Twelver Shi'a of Homs: Interview

In media coverage of the current situation in Homs province, there is much focus on the issue of relations between the Sunni and Alawite communities. The smaller Twelver Shi‘a community of the province has received less attention. While there is certainly not a ‘genocide’ against Twelver Shi‘a in the province (contrary to some of the more sensationalist rhetoric about minorities in Syria), there are some disturbing trends similar to those seen with regards to the Alawite community in Syria. The following interview was conducted recently with a resident of the Twelver Shi‘a village of Tel Aghar in Homs province.

Old photo of Tel Aghar

Q: Currently what is the number of inhabitants? Have many of the people left the village since the former regime fell?