Syria Civil War: Since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, the situation is changing rapidly in the entire country. Syria is often in the news for terrorist attacks and power struggles, but the introduction of this country is not just that. Syria is also famous for its historical heritage and religious importance.
Rebels also captured the Syrian capital Damascus on Sunday (8 December 2024). After this President Bashar al-Assad had to leave the country. People are celebrating on the streets of the capital. But the always-restive Damascus and the surrounding areas are associated with Prophet Mohammed and Islamic history and are considered very important for religious devotees and historians.
In the past, Damascus was the center of craft industry.
Damascus, which is considered to be the oldest inhabited city in the world, is still far away from modern facilities. The city is known for its ancient buildings and cultural heritage, but there is a lot of scope for improvement in its infrastructure. According to UNESCO, founded in the third millennium BC, Damascus was an important cultural and commercial center due to its geographical location at the junction of East and West between Africa and Asia.
Damascus is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Excavations at Tell Ramad on the outskirts of the city have shown that Damascus was inhabited between 8,000 and 10,000 BC. However, it was not recorded as an important city until the arrival of the Arameans. In medieval times, it was the center of a thriving craft industry, with many of the city’s neighborhoods skilled in particular trades or crafts.
How is the connection with Prophet Mohammad?
In Damascus are the tombs of Prophet Mohammed’s two wives and the first muezzin Bilal and Ali’s daughter Bibi Zainab. The tomb of Hazrat Ali’s daughter Bibi Zainab is located in a settlement called Zainabiya, a few kilometers away from Damascus. This place is extremely sacred for the Shia community and is visited by a large number of pilgrims. The religious and cultural importance of this site makes it a major pilgrimage destination in the Middle East.
The ancient Bab Saghir cemetery of Damascus holds a special significance in Islamic history. Here are the graves of Umm-ul-Momineen Umm Salma and Umm Habiba, the wives of Prophet Mohammed. Along with this, the first Muezzin of Islam Hazrat Bilal and many other companions and relatives of the Prophet are also buried here. The importance of these historical and religious places is not only religious, but they are an integral part of the cultural identity and history of the region.
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