DAMASCUS, March 8 (KUNA) -- The ancient northern Syrian city of Aleppo has been chosen as "the capital of Islamic culture" for the Arab region considering its wealth of priceless historic treasures.
Ceremonies for recognizing the city as the cultural capital is due to begin on the 18th of this month, under sponsorship of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, with participation of prominent political and cultural figures from Syria, Arab and Islamic countries.
Ali Al-Qayyem, a member of the organizing committee of the planned ceremonies, interviewed by KUNA, indicated that Aleppo was chosen as the cultural capital during a meeting of the Islamic cultural ministers, held in Doha in 2002. Mecca was chosen as the first capital.
Aleppo is distinguished with remains dating back to the Islamic, Roman and Hellinic empires and times. It was one of the main roads on the so-called "silk road," used by merchants' caravans in the old times.
Archeologists have excavated relics dating back to the 8 century BC in the region of Tal Qaramel near Quwaiq river parts of ancient towers and fortresses' remains.
The document of the first peace treaty in the history of mankind has been found in Aleppo. It dates back to 2,400 years ago.
The archeologists have also located a copy of an ancient dictionary, and relics show that the Prophet Ibrahim inhabited the city.
Aleppo harbors the Great Amawite mosque, a copy of the majestic Amawite mosque in Damascus, built by the Caliph Sultan Bin Abdel Malek. The mosque has been renovated and will be a landmark of the ceremonies.
The city is remembered as the capital of some of the Islamic dynasties, namely the Hamadanis, who honored and harbored great Islamic literary Islamic figures, poets and philosophers, namely Abu Feras Al-Hamadani, Al-Mutanabbi and Al-Farabi.
Al-Qayyem said invitations have been addressed to leading Kuwaiti figures and authorities, namely Information Minister Dr. Anas Al-Rushaid, to attend the ceremonies that will include many seminars, lectures and briefings on the past-present glories of this landmark city a main aspect of Syria's historic heritage nowadays.
By Talal Al-Kayed
