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  • Book: A Syrian Journey

    BOOK: A SYRIAN JOURNEY

    The source of the speech is: www.all4syria.org
    Alarab online, UK
    May 4 2006

    "A Syrian journey" is new book about Syria co-authored by the diplomat
    Dnayneshwar Mulay and his wife, the economic expert Sadhna Shanker. The
    book is launched in attendance of HE Dr. Saad Allah Agha Qalla,
    Minister of Tourism, and HE Ambassador of India in Damascus.

    The book falls into six chapters, to include the experience of Mr. and
    Mrs. Mulay in traveling and visiting the touristic, archaeological,
    cultural and economic sites and their interaction with several
    communities of the Syrian society all over Syria.

    Mr. Ayman Abdel Nour delivered a speech in the occasion of launching
    the book. Bellow is the transcript of his speech:

    HE Dr. Saad Allah Agha Qalla, Minister of Tourism, HE Ambassador of
    India, Ladies and Gentlemen,

    I'm standing here today to talk about (Ahlan Wa Sahlan ...A Syrian
    journey) a book co-authored by the diplomat Dnayneshwar Mulay and his
    wife,the economic expert Sadhna Shanker,. I'm standing here today to
    talk about a book, whose co-authors' main objective was not to come
    up with a book for promoting Syria, attracting FDI's into the country,
    or a book to be used as a tourist guide.

    However, the authors' job was not to bring out such kind of books.

    Moreover, they were not basically required to bring out such books.

    But the feelings and sentiments implied in the book, the tales and
    stories contained therein on Syria, the humanitarian attitudes
    it mentions on the Syrians and the pictures it displays on the
    archaeological sites, throw into the heart of the reader a message that
    is much more important than all objectives that I previously mentioned.

    The book, like any other book, reflects the experience, maturity,
    wisdom and style of its authors. A senior career diplomat, who has
    published several books of prose and poetry in several languages,
    and also an experienced photographer, who has held several solo
    exhibitions of his photographs; and also his wife, an economic expert
    and a senior officer of the Indian Ministry of Finance, both, Mr. and
    Mrs. Mulay, make a harmonious couple with multidimensional experience
    in several domains.

    Their experience is coated with a subtle human sense, nobility of
    character, tolerance, good manners and renunciation of the worldly
    pleasures. Thus, what else could we expect from such a couple,
    other than a creation that is soaring high in the realm of art and
    literature.

    The book, which falls in six chapters, depicts the practice and
    experience of Mr. and Mrs. Mulay in traveling and visiting the tourist,
    archaeological, cultural and economic sites and their interaction
    with several communities of the Syrian society all over Syria. Their
    expert-eyes have captured images and incidents that we view as ordinary
    or natural. But they are not, in the perspective of such a couple,
    who have come from another country.

    The book starts with describing the mixed feelings of apprehension
    and excitement when Syria was identified as Mr. Mulay's next
    destination. They had barely known about Syria when they landed
    there. 'Syria? Is it Sierra Leone or Siberia? Some have warned that
    it might be the next target after Iraq. In their news-hungry BBC,
    CNN dominated lives, Syria may not make news. And when it does, it is
    mostly in the context of US sanctions and Arab-Israeli conflict. When
    they had typed 'Syria' in the search columns, 'a desert country',
    stretches of sand' popped up on the net invariably. When they arrived
    in Damascus, they were still under the impression that they were
    coming to 'the Great Syrian Desert'.

    The authors conclude by saying that the years they have spent and
    lived in Syria, and contrary to all stereotyped images, have unveiled
    an enchanting mosaic for a magical landscape, ancient civilization,
    stupendous ruins, soothing forests, imposing citadels, mystical
    churches, biblical roads and warm hospitable and friendly people.

    Ultimately, they come to the conclusion that Syria is a well-kept
    secret treasure in the chaotic abyss of our contemporary commercial
    world. It allows you to slow down from the pace of New York and
    London and grows upon you silently the way civilizations have grown
    upon each other from at least the last 5000 years here in Syria.

    Syria is unbelievably safe and a tranquil peaceful place to live in,
    with the snow, rains, heat, desert, magnificent rivers and seashores,
    which offers a mind-boggling diversity.

    The authors request anyone who is willing to see Syria and give
    his judgment of it, to cross the barriers of his own prejudice and
    be prepared to savor in Syria the way Ibn Jubair, the 12th century
    Andalusian traveler, savored Damascus: "If paradise be on earth,
    it is, without a doubt, Damascus."

    The first chapter sheds the light on simple-assistance incidents the
    two authors have received from ordinary people in the street, which
    generates in them a deep impression on the nobility and genuineness
    of these people. They mention that the 'smile' and 'Ahlan wa Sahlan'
    mark spirit of the Syrian people, their history and their daily life.

    The second chapter (Land and Its History) demonstrates the diversity
    and tradition of Syria, starting with the coastal line through the
    eastern desert. They also come to the mention of all civilizations
    and peoples that had dwelled this part of the world, its history and
    major incidents.

    The third chapter talks about the Syrian cities and the competition
    between Damascus and Aleppo, be it history-wise or economy-wise. The
    authors talk of the capital, its smooth roads and close-to-earth
    buildings (fewer tall buildings), and how it, from Qasyoon, lights up
    like a crown in the evenings. All the mosque spires sparkle in green.

    The buildings and illuminated signboards impart special flavor on
    Damascus, which appears like a kaleidoscope, anyway you turn it you
    have a different view or vision to offer.

    Talking of Aleppo, they describe it as 'a city that carries on-
    it stands there as a proof and promise that life is all about
    regeneration'. Talking about Quneitra, he describes how marriages
    get solemnized in this remote part of the world, in the so-called
    'Shouting Valley' on both sides of the Syrian borderline, which is
    occupied by Israel. He says that the family whose child has gone
    over, look on return as if they had attended a funeral, rather than a
    wedding. Then they shift to Homs, which he calls, 'the city of smiles',
    which gives rise to a host of Syrian jokes that bring a smile to many
    faces. Moving to Der ez-Zor, he points out how the city was also home
    to many of the Armenians fleeing the genocide of 1915 and how they
    were welcomed with open arms.

    In the fourth chapter, the authors talk about society and culture and
    shed the light on the ethnic, sectarian and religious diversity, which
    marks unity of the Syrian society, which is known for its tolerance,
    respect of difference and pride in their own cultural heritage, which
    substantiates the view that Syria is 'the cradle of civilization.' In
    their description of the Syrian cuisine, they indicate that what we
    know as 'Kebab Hindi' is known as 'Kebab Shami' in India.

    The last chapter touches upon the Indo-Syrian relations and reviews
    history of the Silk Road through Mahatma Gandhi, who had advocated
    of rights of the Palestinian people. It also talks about the close
    relation between Indira Gandhi and late President Hafez al-Assad
    and that there are about 200 students from India studying theology
    in Sayeeda Zenab, a Shiite Islamic shrine devoted to the great
    granddaughter of Prophet Mohammad in Damascus. It also mentions that
    3.5 million of followers of the Syrian Christian church live peacefully
    in India.

    I conclude by saying that the book, in its diversity, constitutes a
    major contribution to the Syrian library and a book that is worthy to
    be read. Also, it might be worthily recommended to use parts of the
    book in the teaching syllabuses of the intermediate schools in Syria.
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