Hanna Diyab, born in Aleppo in the late 17th century, was a Syrian storyteller whose imagination shaped some of the most famous tales in world literature—including Aladdin and Ali Baba. Yet for centuries, his name was erased from these stories. When Diyab recounted his tales to the French orientalist Antoine Galland in Paris, they were published as part of Les Mille et Une Nuits (One Thousand and One Nights)—but without crediting him. His life reflects a larger story: how the West often consumed and reshaped Eastern stories through an exoticizing lens, turning complex local narratives into simplified “Oriental fantasies”. Reclaiming Diyab’s story is not just about giving credit—it’s about re-centering voices, challenging orientalist storytelling, and understanding what it means when your story is told for you, rather than by you.

Reality under AssadIt is widely perceived among Syrians that the Alawite community benefited from the Assad regime, largely because the Assad family traces its roots to an Alawite clan from

Once the guardian of Palmyra’s majestic ruins, Khaled Al-Asaad paid the ultimate price for refusing to betray the ancient city he loved. A towering figure in Syrian archaeology, Al-Asaad spent over 40 years unearthing Palmyra’s secrets, bringing global recognition to its history through his mastery of ancient languages and collaboration with international scholars. When ISIS overran the city in 2015, he hoped his presence might shield its soul. Instead, he was tortured and executed, a martyr to cultural memory. His story is a stark reminder that, in Syria, history itself has become a battleground. Amid ongoing looting and destruction, preserving heritage is no longer symbolic; it is survival.

Syrian dubbing wasn’t just a tool for dialogue, but an entire art that added a new soul for international works. Due to the professional acting, the fluent Arabic spoken, and the careful attention to lip syncing and cultural adaptation, Syrian dubbing became an identifying feature of the Arab entertainment industry. Its voices are still ingrained in the memories of generations, bearing witness to a golden age of creativity in vocal works.

In the 14th century, Syria had two of the most notable astronomers who contributed to the world of astronomy and the Syrian Muslim community. Al Khalili came up with tables that would determine the times of the five prayers for Muslims in Damascus. On the other hand, Ibn Al Shatir created a sundial to install in the minaret of the Umayyad Mosque. Both Al Khalili and Ibn Al-Shatir left behind inventions and creations that would later influence the work and findings of world astronomers who came after them.

Discover the majesty of Khan Asaad Pasha, the largest caravanserai in Old Damascus. Built in 1751 and declared a historical landmark in 1973, this architectural marvel has undergone significant reconstruction, holding centuries of history within its walls. Today, the Khan serves as a vibrant cultural center in Damascus. Visitors are invited to explore its historical significance, peruse traditional crafts, and revel in cultural performances. The Khan provides an immersive experience where visitors can deeply connect with the rich heritage of Damascus and Syria.

I have always wanted to do this: get in my car, call my friends, pick them up, and hit the road. “Where do you wanna go?” I want to ask,

Walking along its narrow, branching and ascending staircases, Al-Muhajireen is a unique Damascene neighborhood unlike any other. Its history stretches back to 1899 when Nazim Pasha, Damascus’ Ottoman governor at the time, decided to settle Muslims from the Greek island of Crete who immigrated as a result of sectarian violence on the island. Over time, the neighborhood developed into a blend of immigrants of various ethnic groups, mostly from the Balkans and Circassia (southwest Russia). Al-Muhajireen gained further importance after Nazim Pasha built Al-Muhajireen Palace, which later became the residence of Syria’s first elected president, Muhammad al Abid, who decided during his tenure in office (1932-1936) to build a tramway line that connected the center of Damascus to Al-Muhajireen. Overlooking the city of Damascus on Mount Qasioun, Al-Muhajireen is a mesmerizing neighborhood for locals.

Beauty lies in diversity. Syrians in particular are no strangers to beauty, thanks to an eclectic past that has birthed some of the world’s oldest metropolises. We take pride in the beauty of our people, a beauty that is diverse. However, this does not seem to be the case in today’s Syria, as women, and even men, are pressured into trying to achieve an unreachable level of perfection. In the meantime, plastic surgeons and aestheticians are making a fortune off of botched procedures.

Part 8 and the final religious group of the series about Syria’s religious makeup: the Yazidis. Special thanks to Syrian Yazidi followers @wailoo_ & @samarshekho who helped with the info! 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 long history in northern Syria, Yazidis who were much more numerous in the past, belong to a faith regarded as the traditionally indigenous faith of the Kurdish community. They form the smallest recognized (but not officially) religious group in Syria. Yazidis in Syria lived fairly openly in recent history until the advent of the war and barbaric extremism against the Yazidi community in Iraq which eventually impacted the community in Syria. Syria’s Yazidis have endured unspoken atrocities in addition to being one of the country’s most socially/culturally ostracised.

The gates of Damascus speak to the rich history of the city. Not only did they once protect the city from invaders, they also give our present society a glimpse into the beliefs and culture unique to the different inhabitants of Damascus along history. Across the centuries, each gate served a different purpose and symbolized something distinct to the different societies that resided in the city.

New York City is known for its diversity and multiculturalism, but few people know about the history of one of its earliest and most influential immigrant groups: the Syrians. In this article, you will learn about the origins, achievements, and challenges of Little Syria, the neighborhood that was once home to thousands of Syrians and other Arabs in Manhattan. You will also discover how Little Syria was erased from the city’s landscape by urban development, and how its descendants are preserving its memory and heritage today. Join us as we explore the fascinating story of Little Syria, the first home of Syrians in the Western world.