The Congress Foundation
Founders
The individuals who came together to establish the Syrian Christian Congress, united by a shared commitment to building a dignified and organized Syrian Christian civic presence.
The individuals who came together to establish the Syrian Christian Congress, united by a shared commitment to building a dignified and organized Syrian Christian civic presence.
The founding members of the Syrian Christian Congress represent a broad cross-section of Syria's Christian communities, drawn from different traditions, regions, and walks of life. What unites them is a common conviction: that Syrian Christians must have an organized, transparent, and responsible voice in the shaping of Syria's future. Their decision to come together marks the beginning of a new chapter in Syrian Christian civic life.
Sally Obeid is a Fellow for MENA Policy at the IDI Center, a technology entrepreneur, and a policy researcher working at the intersection of governance, public policy, and emerging technologies. Her research and publications focus on Middle Eastern politics, transitional justice, economic reconstruction, state-building, and digital governance, with particular emphasis on how artificial intelligence, blockchain, automation, and innovation can strengthen transparent, accountable, and resilient institutions. Her perspective is further informed by her participation in Syria's 2011 revolution, where she contributed to digital media initiatives and civic documentation efforts during the early stages of the uprising.
Ahed Alhendi is a former prisoner of conscience who was detained in 2007 for his opposition activism against the Syrian regime. He has founded and co-founded several opposition initiatives and was elected to the Executive Committee of the Antalya Conference, one of the earliest Syrian opposition political gatherings established after the outbreak of the Syrian revolution. Alhendi has written for Al-Hayat and several Arabic-language newspapers, and his work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy, and Foreign Affairs. He currently resides in Washington, D.C., and is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where he studied Political Science.
Eiad Herera is a writer and political analyst. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, with a minor in Cultures and Religions and a focus on the Middle East. He also studied media at Damascus University. Herera writes for Arabic-language and international media outlets, with a particular focus on Syrian affairs and broader Middle Eastern issues. He has worked in media and produced political and interview-based content in both Arabic and English, and has been active in Eastern Christian affairs, with a special interest in questions of minorities, pluralism, and identity.
Fr. Maroun Mikhael Touma is a Syrian priest and ecclesiastical judge specializing in theology and canon law. He holds a Licentiate in Theology and a Licentiate in Canon Law from La Sagesse University in Beirut, with equivalency recognized by the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. His specialization focuses on marriage and family cases, and he served as an ecclesiastical judge in the Catholic courts of Syria and Lebanon. He has contributed to pastoral and spiritual education and formation, and has participated in numerous seminars and lectures on philosophical, religious, legal, and family-related issues. His work has also been closely associated with serving vulnerable groups, persons with disabilities, and humanitarian and pastoral initiatives in Syria and Lebanon.
Hisham Shamieh is a Syrian writer and translator. He studied translation at Damascus University and specializes in translating books and studies on the history of the Arab region, pre-Islamic Arabian religions, comparative religion, political thought, and the social sciences. He also manages publishing and rights affairs for several Arab and international publishing houses. He has contributed to the publication of more than 400 books in Arabic and has taken part in founding and managing cultural initiatives aimed at promoting a culture of reading and dialogue and providing free access to books for university students in Syria.
The founders opened this door. It is now open to all Syrian Christians who share the vision of an organized, transparent, and representative civic presence.