This article is an objective look into the history of this fact and its repercussions today, not a call for senseless pride. It is commonly known that medical terminology is derived from classical languages, such as Latin and Greek, and cannot be taught in different languages. If you ever wanted to study medicine and are one of the people who speak your native language better than English, then the sentence "Oh no! How are you going to survive Medicine in English?!", is not strange to you. Some report Arabic as the world's most difficult language to learn, which was not an obstacle for Syria. A surprise for the world is that Syria is the first and only country to teach medicine in Arabic since 1919 and to this day! Countries like Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Tunis, Libya, and Lebanon have taught Medicine in Arabic for a period of time but switched to English/French due to colonization.

Qudsia Haj Hussein was a pioneer of women’s education in the city of Deir ez-Zor, Syria. She overcame many obstacles and challenges to pursue her own education and to provide opportunities for other girls in her community. She was one of the first Syrian women to graduate from middle school and high school, and she became a teacher and a principal of girls’ schools in Deir ez-Zor. She was a role model and a leader who influenced the social and cultural transformation of her city. In this article, you will learn about her remarkable life story and her legacy for future generations of Syrian women.

Part 7 of the series about Syria’s religious makeup: the Alawites. We aim to educate ourselves and our fellow Syrians on the history and communities of our country. Misinformation often grows vastly and knowledge about one another is a vital way to achieve coexistence and move forward. With a history of about 1,000 years in Syria, the Alawite community is a prominent component of the Syrian social fabric. Centralised in western Syria, today Alawites form the 2nd largest religious community forming < 18% of the country (3rd before 2011 - < 12%), today surpassing Syrian Christians & preceding Syrian Sunni Muslims. Understanding the history of the Alawites allows us to understand their presence in Syria today. While most Syrian Alawites identify as Muslim, some view themselves as distinctively Alawite due to the unique characteristics of this secretive sect.

Child marriage was prevalent in Syria even before the war, but it has remarkably increased over the last few years recently reaching to a high of 41% in 2021. 16

With suitcases full of their precious belongings as well as dreams of a better life, over 100 Syrian/Levantine passengers boarded the Titanic. Most of them had all their life savings with them, and one lady even brought yogurt-starter so she could make her Levantine recipes once her family arrived on the new continent. In the 1997 movie “Titanic”, there was a brief glimpse of an Arabic speaking family and the word “Yalla!”, meaning “come on” or “hurry”, was heard, as an ode to the Levantine passengers, the vast majority of whom were Christians.

The first Syrian businesswoman! Matilde Chelhot was a visionary leader who used her wealth and influence to create a major educational institution that offered vocational training to the poor and needy. She was also a humanitarian who worked with the Red Crescent and donated everything she owned for the benefit of the working class. In this article, you will discover the amazing life and legacy of Matilde Chelhot, who left behind a fragrant memory of good deeds, altruism, achievement, and inspiration.

Did you know that Syrian Americans have been in the US since 1880? In this article, you will discover their rich and diverse history, culture, and contributions to various fields in America.

We aim to educate ourselves and our fellow Syrians on the history and communities of our country. Misinformation often grows vastly and knowledge about one another is a vital way to achieve coexistence and move forward. Despite making up big portions of the demographic makeup of bordering Lebanon & Iraq, Syria’s Shia have long been a religious minority making them the 6th largest group before the war but likely the 4th today. Syria is home to some of the community’s most sacred sites. Because of this, Syria is a hotspot for religious tourism/pilgrimage for the Shia community worldwide, similar to Christians who visit some of the faith’s most ancient and splendid sites in our country.

Louay Kayyali was a famous Syrian painter who faced rejection and depression for showing the reality of war and poverty in his country. His controversial exhibition “For the Sake of Cause” in 1967 was a turning point in his life and career. In this article, we explore his life and work, and why he painted the truth, even when it hurt.

In the article, the author shares their mental health and the reactions of their parents when they were diagnosed with their friends. The author explains that the parents do not have enough information about mental health, so they have difficulty accepting or supporting their children’s situation. The author emphasizes that we need to understand and help our parents, give them information about mental health treatment, and answer their questions patiently.)

The Untitled Book Society, founded in Damascus, invites its members from different professions and interests to a world filled with books and poetry. Fun activities, special guests, and inspiring stories accompany them on their journey of sharing the power of reading books.

Today, Akitu is mainly celebrated by the Assyrian/Aramaean identifying community, Chaldeans (Catholic Assyrians), and all Syrian and Iraqi Christians following the Syriac Orthodox & Catholic churches. It is also significant to many Alawites & Ismailis in the country (altogether, these communities form between 20-30% of Syria). Our ancestors across the region recognized the importance of celebrating life, renewal, and our fertile lands. Syria today seems to be the antithesis of that, many of our people are desperate for a life worth celebrating, but we remember the many Syrians both in and out of the country who are doing their part in a strive for a better Syria. Akitu Brikho (Syriac for Blessed Akitu) to every one of those Syrians whose love for our land, history, and belief in our people in spite of everything, never withers away.