A member of Syria's Christian minority, she says rebuilding the country requires transparent projects, stronger safety standards and protection of public resources 'One of the Assembly's key challenges is rebuilding trust between citizens, institutions,' Bishara tells Anadolu Before Bashar al-Assad's fall, Madonna Bishara says she could not speak openly about politics. Now, the civil engineering academic is second deputy speaker of Syria's parliament, helping shape decisions about how her country will rebuild.

“Now we feel free in Syria,” she told Anadolu. “We can talk in public life. We can talk about policy, economy. Before, we couldn’t talk at all.”A Christian woman who taught at Latakia University and assessed earthquake-damaged buildings, Bishara was appointed to the People's Assembly in July before fellow lawmakers elected her second deputy speaker.

She described taking on the role with "mixed emotions, a surprise, a sense of apprehension, and above all, an overwhelming feeling of responsibility." The task ahead is immense. The World Bank estimates the cost of rebuilding Syria's damaged physical assets at $216 billion.

“Reconstruction requires more than rebuilding damaged buildings in Syria,” she said. “It also involves restoring essential services, improving safety and ensuring the efficient use of available resources.”An engineer’s approach to reconstruction Bishara holds a PhD in civil engineering and previously headed the Construction Engineering and Management Department at Latakia University's Faculty of Civil Engineering.

Her experience assessing earthquake-damaged buildings in Latakia reinforced the importance of technical standards and cooperation among engineers, public institutions and local committees. She now hopes to bring those priorities into legislation governing reconstruction.

“One proposal I would like to explore is a legal framework that promotes transparent reconstruction projects, sustainable building material and clear quality and safety standards,” she said.

The World Bank's October 2025 assessment estimated direct physical damage from the conflict at $108 billion, with infrastructure accounting for $52 billion, residential buildings $33 billion and non-residential buildings $23 billion. Aleppo, Rif Dimashq and Homs were the most severely affected governorates.

Bishara said she believed reconstruction could take "three to four years." Attracting investment must go hand in hand with protecting the public, she added.

“Another important area is developing a legal framework for construction or reconstruction that encourages investment in Syria while protecting public resources and citizens' rights.”She also said digital tools for managing construction projects could help "improve project planning, cost control and transparency." The lawmaker identified transportation and infrastructure as major priorities.

Many Syrians, she said, remained unable to return home because their houses had been damaged during the war.

UNHCR estimated that 1.3 million Syrian refugees and 1.9 million internally displaced people returned to their areas of origin or habitual residence during 2025, while humanitarian needs remained severe.

Rebuilding trust Beyond physical destruction, Bishara said one of the Assembly's key challenges "is the rebuilding trust between citizens and institutions." “This requires listening to people's concerns, transparent decision-making and a clear mechanism for accountability,” she said.

She also pointed to national reconciliation, including "transitional justice and the participation of Syrian diverse communities in public life," as Syria seeks to recover from years of conflict following Assad's fall on Dec. 8, 2024.

For Bishara, parliament's priorities should reflect the problems Syrians face every day.

“Several legal areas deserve attention during the coming period, particularly those that directly affect people's daily lives. This includes education, employment, economic recovery, reconstruction and the protection of families affected by the conflict,” she said.

She added that she was also particularly interested in reviewing legislation supporting women's economic participation and protecting their rights. ‘A personal and public responsibility’Bishara’s ascent to one of parliament's most senior roles is part of a broader, deliberate shift toward inclusion in the 210-seat People’s Assembly.

Alongside figures like actress Rouzaina Lazkani, Kurdish lawmaker Fasla Yousef and novelist Nour Jandali, Bishara is one of 15 women appointed by the presidency to bring diverse perspectives to the transitional legislature.

“My election as second deputy speaker carries both a personal and a public responsibility,” she said.

As a woman, an academic and a member of Syria’s Christian minority, Bishara said her role carried responsibilities toward all citizens.

While she said her Christian identity was an important part of who she was, she emphasized the country’s diversity.

“Syria is the home to all religions, cultures and social communities.”She also wants women's presence in parliament to translate into participation in its day-to-day work.

“Women's participation should extend beyond representation in numbers, to be involved in legal work, parliamentary committees and decision-making,” she said.

Bishara hopes her work will open doors for other women to enter parliament and help rebuild the country.

For the professor who spent years watching her brightest minds leave, recovery also carries a hope she has long held for her students.

“As a university professor, one of my greatest hopes has always been to tell my students with confidence and optimism that they have a future in their own country, a free Syria, where their knowledge, ambition and talents can contribute to rebuilding our nation,” she said.