Speaking to Vatican News in Rome, Kabawat emphasized that dialogue and compromise remain essential for rebuilding the country after more than a decade of civil war.
The Legacy of Fr. Paolo Dall’Oglio in Post-Assad Syria
On the desk of Hind Kabawat, who serves as the only female and only Christian minister in the Syrian transitional government, sits a photograph of Father Paolo Dall’Oglio, according to Vatican News. The Italian Jesuit priest dedicated his life to fostering interreligious relationships in Syria. Kabawat described Dall’Oglio as her mentor who taught her the foundational importance of dialogue in peacebuilding and interfaith initiatives.
Following the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024, the transitional government took power through a lightning military campaign. Composed largely of former Islamist rebels, the administration must navigate a complex social landscape divided among Sunnis, Kurds, Druze, Ismailis, Yazidis, Alawites, and Christians, among other groups.
Integration of Autonomous Institutions and Ongoing Tensions
Despite significant social divides, Kabawat highlighted progress in state unification. According to Vatican News, she pointed to the completion of the integration of previously autonomous Kurdish civil and military institutions into the Syrian state in late August as one of the administration’s biggest achievements.
Security challenges persist across the country. A Reuters investigation found that government-aligned forces were involved in March 2025 massacres targeting Syria’s Alawite minority, which left roughly 1,500 people dead. In southern Syria, the Druze population has clashed with Bedouin tribes, while the Islamic State (ISIS) maintains a persistent presence in the east, launching attacks against both government and Kurdish forces. Kabawat acknowledged these human rights violations and tensions, attributing them to years of war, poverty, and oppression that left parts of the population deeply sectarian.
Constitutional Reform and Women’s Representation
To address these systemic wounds, Kabawat advocates for a renewed constitution and the strict rule of law. She argued that neither radical nor secular factions can impose their complete ideology on the entire country, pointing to compromise as the sole path forward. “We can find common ground: we need to have a good constitution, we need to have a rule of law, we need to all be equal,” Kabawat told Vatican News.
Kabawat has also raised concerns regarding the low representation of women in the current transitional administration. While speaking to the BBC earlier in 2025, she noted that she questioned the initial lack of female ministers on her first day in office. According to Kabawat, President Al-Sharaa assured her that more women will be appointed to senior roles as the government develops.
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