Arabia Felix Magazine AleppoL Islamic Capital of Culture 2006 By Abdul-Aziz Oudah June 1, 2006, 02:04 March 18th was a historic day for the Syrian city of Aleppo. Amidst large crowds and packed streets, Aleppo was the ‘bride’ for the day, as celebrations rocked the ancient city to mark the announcement of the “Capital of Islamic Cultre 2006” award. Enormous preparations were made to prepare for the ceremony, with people from all backgrounds and all across Syria taking part to help dress Aleppo in its finest clothes. Chosen by scientists, scholars and historians, the title will last a year. For the people of Aleppo, it marks an important recognition of its past, and the elite of the Islamic world gathered to hear the official launch of the title on March 18th. On a day blessed with rain, officials and journalists from across the world, including Yemen, Egypt, Iran, Oman, Turkey, Sudan and Kuwait, all gathered to see the launch, taking a grand tour around the city to see its famous historical sights. However, the title was not seen as an act of gratitude, but a rightful handing back to the city of its proper place - a position denigrated from the fact so many Muslims have ignored their own history for centuries. Islamic history built one of the greatest empires in history, stretching from China in the east, to the Atlantic in the west, Spain to the north and Africa in the south. The announcement marked the return of Aleppo to the embrace of history, replacing it in its shining spot and showing that to the rest of the world. More than 500 politicians, leading cultural figures, journalists, members of the tourism industry and people from across the Islamic world attended the lavish opening ceremony. Reading the speech of the Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad, the Minister of Culture said that Aleppo remains the “incubator of multi-culturalism”, for the varied mix of people in the city. These cultures are still active and alive, and interact with the message of Islam and its culture, he said. “In this ceremony we find ourselves under  the responsibility to show the real image of Islam, and we raise the flag of love and peace,” the President said. “We use this and similar events to respond to unjust accusations, as we are a nation of forgiveness, good words and good deeds with a deep-rooted history. “Muslims have always called for peace and forgiveness. We are both the owners of this culture, Muslims and Christians.” A concert was put on called ‘Aleppo on the History Pages’, where Aleppo was described throughout its many historical phases. In the Al-Arsh Hall in Aleppo Castle, a show of traditional and folk clothes representing traditions from all across Syria were displayed. After this there was a fashion show by the Syrian female designer Soha Shoyha showing how women’s clothes have developed to respond to the needs of modern women in Syria, embodying heritage with modernity. Aleppo’s Ancient Past Aleppo definitely deserves its award. Going back to the early 2nd millennium BC, Aleppo competes with Damascus in being the oldest inhabited city in the world. The old city covers 16 acres, with the winding streets in the market stretching for a reported 15 kilometers, making it the longest ancient market in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. A visitor in Aleppo can easily see the splendor and magnificence of its houses, streets, narrow alleyways and markets, the magic that Aleppo holds in its heart. A visitor can soon lose all sense of time walking its narrow streets, spending happy hours in the beautiful old city. In the market, the streets are actually roofed with an ancient ‘ceiling’ of stones. As might be expected, the market contains a bewildering array of different shops, small compared to the modern larger sized shops, but still selling a wide number of goods. While visitors may get lost amongst its many sections, the shops are all collocated in areas, each specializing in particular products. However, with 37 sections, the market is still confusingly large. In addition, despite the market’s great age, it has been invaded with modern merchandise, and several shops now sell modern goods that are squeezed alongside traditional local products and artifacts. Aleppo is also packed with around 1,000 mosques and 45 Christian churches. Most famous of all is the Amawi Mosque, built in the reign of Solomon bin Abdul-Malak, the fifth caliphate of the Amawain State, in the 1st century of the Hejri calendar. Stretching for 8,000 square meters, the mosque survived several fires, coming close to destruction as Aleppo was the target of many attacks as a hotspot in the region. The mosque is a historical site, and its walls speak of ancient anecdotes and stories, a living presence of history otherwise forgotten. Above the city stands Aleppo Citadel, a place that makes you feel the hand of history, as though you are acting as a living witness to the centuries of civilizations stretching back through the ages. The ancient remains of past civilizations remind one of the people who lived and passed through here. It was from Aleppo that people and their leaders opened up countries to expand the Islamic state, taking the light of Islam and spreading it throughout the world. From cities like Aleppo, Islam was spread not with the sword and not just as a religion, but also as culture, science, art and literature, filling all facets of life. Aleppo gave birth to famous and great men, including Saif Al-Dawlah Al-Hhamdani, the founder of the Hhamdani State. The great poet Abu Al-Taib Al-Mutnabi, Abu Al-Farj Al-Asfhani, the literary scholar, Al-Farabi the philosopher, Abu Al-Qasem Al-Roqi and Qais Al-Marooni the astronomers, and Al-Tylfesi and Abn Sqashkrya the physicians also emerged from the city. Aleppo also gave birth to one of the most important – if apparently simple - concepts of mathematics, that of  ‘zero’, which was ‘invented’ or discovered by Abu Al-Hassan Al-Khwarezmi. Another Aleppo resident was the astronomer Abn Jeni, called the Greek, an example of how in the city Islam was a religion that accepted people from other nations and cultures. Aleppo Citadel was a fortress that was occupied by many states: Al-Hetheen, Al-Arameen, Al-Soloqeen, and the Romans. It rises above the city, which itself was built on a high hill, and offers a great view around the city in all directions. It is the widest, the most fortified and the highest castle in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. It is also one of oldest Islamic castles in the world, built on the ruins of even older fortifications. The top of the hill has long been seen as the safest place for the rulers and governments throughout history. The construction of the most important parts in the citadel date back to King Dhaher Ghazi bin Slah Al-Dien, who ruled in 1190AD. He fortified its entrances and built a wall and a defensive 30-meter deep moat around the castle. Inside he built a mosque and several palaces. His wife, Dhaifa Khatoon, who later became the Queen of Aleppo, lived in one of the palaces where she was later buried. The castle is 40 meters higher than the city and its towers and its walls remain impressive, some of which are dated back to the epoch of Noor Al-Dien Zenki. Major restoration work is helping to return the castle to the glory of its past days, and once complete, will act as a major draw to boost tourism numbers, being an excellent source of revenue. It will certainly help achieve the ambition of Aleppo’s city leadership to attract 1.5 million tourists this year. It will also help national plans to increase visitor numbers, with the Syrian Minister of Tourism saying that he hopes to increase the number of tourists by 15%, up from the 3.4 million who visited Syria last year. Islamic-Christian Unity in Aleppo Importantly, the event has involved and brought together people from all sides of Aleppo, including its large Christian community. The churches of the two archbishoprics have each printed books on the history of Aleppo, and the Mufti of Syria, the Religious Advisor, has printed five books. The government has produced 60 history books. The unity and solidarity among Muslims and Christians in the city is a major feature of Aleppo. The good spirits of the Syrian Christians have been displayed when at the announcement of Aleppo becoming the Capital of Islamic Culture, the Christians gave considerable contributions  towards the event. This has not only included the printing of books supporting the event, but the donation of money, with the Christian community also showing their pride in their city. Archbishop Yohana Ibrahim, the head of the Orthodox Christain Church in the city, said: “The title of ‘Capital of Islamic Culture’ for Aleppo is the outcome of all people in Aleppo – both Muslims and Christians. As people throughout the ages, we have lived together united, sharing and having a religious brotherhood, living through the same troubles that all inhabitants of Aleppo have gone through.” He stressed the religious and sectarian pluralism in the history of Aleppo, which he said enhanced social welfare and the sharing and unity of the people. The choice of Aleppo as the Capital of Islamic Culture was a medal for everybody in Syria, he said. “We Christians believe that the Islamic Culture is ours too, as it is a culture that both Muslims and Christians contributed to and took part in,” he said. “We are proud of this culture and we announce to the world that the celebration of Aleppo is for all people in Aleppo, both Muslims and Christians.” Archbishop Yohana Jampart, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the city, said that the choice of Aleppo as the Capital of Islamic culture was a “great step” to show that Islamic Culture represents “openness, dialogue, co-existence and respect of the other”. He added that the program of the festival will include conferences to show that Islamic culture is “tolerant, peaceful, and forgiving” to everyone, regardless of their religion or nationality. The Mufti of Syria said that choosing Aleppo was the result of its capacity to absorb and contain all human civilizations” whatever their national, ethnic, religious or cultural background. “This cultural blend has resulted in a culture of coexistence that the world will witness this year,” he said. It will promote “love, brotherhood and dialogue”, and set an example to all in both the Eastern and Western worlds. He said that this proves that Islamic culture calls for dialogue and not a clash with the West, something that many in the West are still unaware of today. Copyright © 2005 - 2007 Arabia Felix. http://www.arabia-felix.com