DAMASCUS - Presidents Bashar al-Assad and Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan on Tuesday put the cornerstone to build a tomb for the great Islamic philosopher Abu al-Nasr al-Farabi (870-950 A.D.) in Damascus.
"The presence of President Nazarbayev with us to inaugurate a project to restore this tomb is an important opportunity for both countries to push ties between Syrian and Kazakhstan forwards," President al-Assad said.
The President noted to the history and biography of the great philosopher, saying "al-Farabi's contributions to the Islamic and Arab thought make us proud, and Syrian and Kazakh peoples as well as Muslims in general are proud of this intellectual."
He added that al-Farabi had embodied contacts and rapprochement among nations and cultures because he was born in Kazakhstan, traveled through several countries, resided and died in Damascus.
"In this regard we appreciated al-Farabi in the past and we appreciate everyone who exerts efforts to make rapprochement among peoples... and we told President Nazarbayev yesterday about our appreciation of Kazakhsatn's efforts towards dialogue and cooperation," President al-Assad added.
For his part, President Nazarbayev talked about al-Farabi's history and books, underlining that he was one of the greatest scientists throughout history and humanity.
The two Presidents read verses of Quran for the rest of al-farabi's soul.
Later, they headed for al-Zahireah historic library in Damascus, inspecting what has been done of restoration in this house and reading verses of Quran for the rest of Sultan Zahir Baybars' soul.
President al-Assad referred to the big victory of Leader Baybars on Mogul at Ein Jallout war, saying "Baybars has a special position in the Arab and Syrian conscience because he had adhered to rights, land and sanctities.
By Mazen
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2007
