UPDATE: “The armed terrorist groups launched mortars on Badr Eddin al-Hasani Institute for Religious Sciences on Tuesday 29th of April, claiming the lives of 14 students and injuring 86 others… they also launched a number of mortar shells on a temporary shelter center in a school in Adra al-Balad, killing 3 children, one citizen and… Read More civilian areas in Homs and Damascus car-bombed and shelled Tuesday

This afternoon, having been walking through crowded streets on an notably warmer day, I took a breather in the shade, against the wall of the old city, between Bab Touma (Thomas Gate) and Bab Sharqi (East Gate). The grassy patch is small there, but better than nothing. Ten meters away, the sidewalk, then the busy… Read More not only mortars, but gunfire, too, on Damascus

Posting below some audio I took as was sitting, interviewing a restaurant owner, Abu Shadi, last night in the old city of Damascus. As it happened, got two of four mortars on audio. The first occurred around 7:05 pm, which Abu Shadi estimated to be 200 metres away, his friend corrected him saying it was… Read More mortars on Damascus one quiet courtyard night

Sharing some comments by Syrians, now living in Canada, on the early days and nature of the protests. Salma Nassif: This friend I knew who used to go to protests in Qadam when it all started, not once did he witness shootings. He went to each and every protest in the area, and not once… Read More Syrian Canadians’ comments on when the protests began

I had the honour of meeting, in a group context, the Grand Mufti of Syria, a man of compassion, knowledge, forgiveness, whose own son was murdered in the context of the war being waged on Syria in the name of “revolution”…and the Mufti immediately forgave those who killed his son. I cannot imagine his sorrow.… Read More Syria’s Grand Mufti, Dr. Ahmad Hassoun, implores for peace at the funeral of his son, Sarya, killed by “rebels”

It’s 9 pm and an engagement party raging in hotel has just started. It’s the usual insanely-loud and energetic music I know from Gaza, Palestine. The small crowd in the courtyard below clap, hoot and cheer for the couple. The singer is blasting a patriotic, speaking of Syria and the president…”ya Reis, ya baladi…” (my… Read More love, life, loss

Walking back from another part of Damascus this afternoon, I paused to ask a couple of men curbside which road to take to Bab Touma (Thomas Gate). “It’s far from here, you’re better off getting the bus,” they said. The bus is dirt cheap, about 25 Lira. “Ertahi, sit and relax,” one said, gesturing to… Read More Apr 24, Damascus notes

Sitting outside a restaurant surrounded by olive and evergreen trees. In a nearby church courtyard, a band is practising…trumpets, drums. I’m the only customer here, trying to type out some notes and listen to today’s audio recordings. The restaurant owner is smoking a cigar and throwing comments my way every so often, on the situation… Read More mortars and nostalgia for the past

UPDATE: One of many videos uploaded to youtube and social media depicts Ansar al Ummah “rebels” firing mortars, claiming responsibility for the mortars that were intended for the Parliament building. It’s mortars like these which are hitting all over Damascus, hitting areas where masses of civilians are sitting, walking, living. Sunday and Monday saw a… Read More more insights into Bab Touma mortar attacks

Scenes from two parties of Christians celebrating post-Easter, Damascus. Life goes on, in spite of the last three tragic years. See also: Easter celebration despite sordid realities, and other snippets from Syria