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From love poems to saints whose love for one another was as profound as their faith, queerness is woven into the history of the Levant. In this post, we cover some of Syria’s hidden queer legacy.

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3 years ago
Culture and Heritage Social Issues Society

I Dream of : the Day I Cross the Levant on a Borderless Trip Like my Grandparents did

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,
3 years ago
Culture and Heritage Social Issues Society

Al Muhajireen Neighbourhood : History & Heritage

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.
3 years ago
Culture and Heritage Social Issues Society

Plastic Surgery in Syria

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.
3 years ago
Faces of Wanabqa

An Ode to Papa

This is my Papa, Bachar Almounajjed, and today marks 5 months since his passing. He was born on January 12th, 1952 in the neighborhood of Al Qemarriye, in Old Damascus
3 years ago
Aleppo Faces of Wanabqa

Lojain Jibawi: Biography of A Syrian Genius

Elon Musk who? Meet the Syrian dentist and genius of an entrepreneur Lojain Jibawi, who has impacted and inspired many.
4 years ago
Faces of Wanabqa

Five Square Meters of Fashion History

Khalil's tiny shop in Bab Sharqi holds decades of fashion history in its one-meter space.
4 years ago
Culture and Heritage History

Little Syria: Syrians’ First Home in the Western World

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.
4 years ago
Culture and Heritage

Four Seasons: Every Syrian’s Second Family

A teapot whistles over the (diesel oil) fireplace that swallows it in its cave, spreading a warmth like that of our family; the same family that is going to nestle
4 years ago
Culture and Heritage History

Syria: the First in the World to Teach Medicine in Arabic

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.
4 years ago
Faces of Wanabqa Northern Syria

Qudsia Haj Hussein

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.
4 years ago
Culture and Heritage

Food: The Love Language of Our Parents

“Here’s a fruit-bowl for you to enjoy while you study” This is my parents’ way of support on a stressful exam night. Even though I’m generally not a fan of
4 years ago
Culture and Heritage Diversity

Eternal Outsiders – Gypsies in Syria

The term “gypsy” has been used throughout history in a pejorative way and is recognized by many members of the community and researchers to be a derogatory term (particularly in Europe) where they are known as the Roma people. Some members of the community in Syria use the Arabic equivalent of the term “غجر Ghajar” however “Dom” the equivalent of “Roma” is also used. As one of the ethnic groups that are most vulnerable to discrimination and persecution around the world, this community is considered a prominent ambiguous, diverse, and unrecognized group in Syria. They are known for practicing various professions, such as playing musical instruments, fortune telling, singing, and others; who are gypsies?
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