Famous Architecture and Dr. Oussama Khatib

Originally a temple that was dedicated to the God Gadad, the Umeyyad Mosque was built around 9^th century BC. It has experienced a few identities: in the first century AD, Romans turned it into the Temple of Jupiter, it became the church of St. Baptist during the Christian expansion, it became a split mosque-church in 636, and in 705 it became the world renowned mosque that it is today due to the work of Al Walid, the sixth Umayyad caliph (Artemis).

The Roman Theater in Bosra is known as one of the oldest Roman theaters in the world. It has a fortress built around it, which is partly responsible for its preservation. It seated 15,000 people and is freestanding – something that was unusual for the theaters that were normally built into hillsides. In its prime, “the theatre was faced with marble and silk, and during performances a fine mist of perfumed water was sprayed over the patrons to keep them comfy” (Homsonline.com).

Apamea (or Pharmake) is an ancient city that was built on the Orontes River in 300 BC. Much of what can be seen today was constructed in 64 BC, and a served as an important trade marker. It was created by Seleucus Nicator, a Seleucid king – the first in Syira – and was named for his wife Apame (Famouswonders). Today, much still remains, like the Cardo Maximus, a mile-long lineup of beautiful columns.

Dr. Oussama Khatib is famous Syrian scientist known for robotics. According to the Stanford page, his research includes “Methodologies and technologies of autonomous robots, cooperative robots, human-centered robotics, haptic interaction, dynamic simulation, virtual environments, augmented teleoperation, and human-friendly robot design.” He received his Doctorate degree from Sup’Aero, Toulouse, France, in 1980 (Stanford). He is heavily decorated and awarded, and is President of the International Foundation of Robotics Research. A quote on his work in robotics: “Humanoid robots today can walk and wave, but they cannot interact with the world. We are developing robots with the capability to physically touch, push and move objects.” (Lifeboat).

Sources:

Mosque - http://www.artemistravel-sy.com/en/monuments.htm

Theater - http://www.homsonline.com/EN/Citeis/Bosra.htm

Apamea - http://famouswonders.com/apamea/

Khatib - http://cs.stanford.edu/groups/manips/people/oussama-khatib/

                http://lifeboat.com/ex/bios.oussama.khatib

Image Sources:

Mosque - http://karim74.wordpress.com/2009/06/27/islamic-architecture-around-the-world-5/umayyad-mosque-in-damascus-syria-night/

Theater - http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-bosra-theatre-image3612780

Apamea - http://romeartlover.tripod.com/Apamea1.html

Forms of Structures and Differences for Rural and Urban Syria

Two lifestyles dominate the people of Syria's everyday lives. The first of these two is the nomadic lifestyle. In this setting, live revolves around pastures and migration for resources. The people of a nomadic lifestyle usually live in a tent, one that is split into a man’s side and a woman’s side, rectangular in shape, and usually consist of a group of three generations of a family, and are called Bedouins. The second lifestyle is a sedentary lifestyle. People live in cities and villages in a sedentary lifestyle. The kind of buildings that are seen in a sedentary lifestyle depend largely on location, but most traditional houses are made of stone, an inner courtyard surrounded by rooms, and a split amongst the house into an area for animals and an area for people.

In rural Syria, the sedentary people often depend on agriculture as a means of getting by, so their houses often reflect this condition. The courtyards are not usually surrounded by rooms, and often house animals. They are usually always one story, consist of mud in most rural settings, and have very little openings. In urban houses, the structure is different. Here, the houses have many openings that lead to the inner courtyard, where as rural houses have an attached courtyard. Richer houses tend to have more rooms/floors/courtyards, and these are often able to be split into parts for guests, animals, and family.

Education in Syria differs from our own. Their system consists of six years of primary education, three years of intermediate education, and three years of secondary/technical education. Their curricula is approved by the Syrian Ministry of Education, is taught in Arabic, and focuses on general education as well as traditional culture. As part of a goal to eliminate illiteracy by 1991, the government established this three-level system in 1967, and between the years of 1970 and 1976, “primary school enrollment increased 43 percent, lower secondary enrollments increased 52 percent, and higher secondary enrollments increased 65 percent. During these years, enrollments in postsecondary institutions increased more than 66 percent” (Education). In order to accommodate these increases in education participation, the government built preparatory schools in many areas to help sedentary people, and even established mobile schools for the nomadic people. Women during the years of 1970 and 1998 saw a drastic rise in their numbers for educational statistics, some even going from numbers like 600 to 63,000 (Education). 

http://www.meda-corpus.net/libros/pdf_manuel/syria_eng/ats_eng_2.pdf
http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1483/Syria-EDUCATIONAL-SYSTEM-OVERVIEW.html

Women and Family in Syria

Women in Syria have begun to take an active role in how they live in society. For instance, women have begun to remove the hijab as a form of revolution in customs. Not every women agrees with this change though, and some women even label these "revolutionary" women as atheists and betrayers. Syrian culture shows women in Syrian have a relative Westernized style of dress, often seen wearing tight clothes that cover the legs and arms, but is it not unheard of to see skin, but conservative dress still dominates. This may seem progressive to a point, but women in general are still heavily burdened by the law. For instance: women cannot marry without permission of a male guardian, Muslim women do not have the right to marry outside of Muslim faith, adultery is twice as punishable for women as it is for men, men have more parental rights than women, women must provide ample reason for a divorce while men simply need to say so, and much more. Due to reasons like this, Syrian families have often come to value sons over daughters, and as of 2012, the male/female sex ratio for the population is 1.03 (CIA). Polygamy is allowed in Syrian culture, though only if a man can provide and attend to each wife equally. In a story about a Syrian girl in 2007, Zahra al-Azzo was kidnapped and raped by her abductor in Damascus, and when they authorities found her, they sent her to a prison believing it was the only way to protect her from her family, who they believed would likely kill her and blame her for being raped (NY Times). Within a month of marrying her cousin in an attempt to restore her honor, she was stabbed in her sleep by her brother and died in the hospital. According to this article, 300 girls and women die each year in Syria in honor killings.

In our own culture, these things are unheard of. Honor killings, diminutive familial and social rights, and polygamy are all things that are unknown to American culture. Sure, women are not equal to men, but they are not at such a drastically different level as they are in Syria. Women here can be bosses, they can be powerful, they can dress as they please, they have equal rights to property and family, and they certainly aren't killed for being raped. Although it may seem like Syrian culture is backwards and wrong, it isn't. Their culture is simply different than our own. For them, it may seem that our women are given illicit rights, that we are giving them unnecessary power, and so on. I believe that, though I do not agree with Syrian culture, we live in two different societies, and that I have no right to look down on them as much as they have no right to look down on us. Harsh judgments have often done more damage than good, after all.

Religion in Syria

People tend to think of countries like Syrian as having only one type of religious practice. This, of course, is not true. Though Syria is dominantly Muslim (about seventy five percent of the 22 million people), and more specifically Sunni Muslims, there are other religions that exist there; Christians, Druze, and Alawites to name a few¹. From this perspective, Syria is home to a variety of people with a variety of beliefs. As it normally happens when a diversity of people cohabitate a place, tensions can often give way to dispute. In the 70s, Syria saw Hafez al-Assad. who was Alawite Islam, rise to power, and along with him came the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, a power that also held influence in Iraq. He quickly took hold of the political reigns and become the Syrian leader². This new order and religious guidance brought about chaos and turmoil for Syria. Within 15 years, Hafez al-Assad became responsible for the largest massacre of a native people by an Arab leader when he ordered the quell of a rebellious city called Hama, and the immediate execution of anyone who opposed him, namely the Muslim Brotherhood, a politically active group that is considered a terrorist organization by the government of Syria, as well as Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The death count of this massacre is between 10 and 40 thousand. Actions like this show why it is important for a country to learn to mesh together the multifaceted populations that call it home. For Syria, this has become great problem. People have heard negative things about the Middle East in recent years, often hearing that terrorists and warfare are rooted in religious practice. This kind of fallacy has created a stigma on Middle Eastern religion, Syria included. People now tend to think of all Muslims as terrorists-at-heart, that civil wars and killing and hatred are all born of a singular religious belief. While, some wars and some hatred actually are due to religious differences, it is a drastically erred conclusion to say that they all have to do with religion. With such a bad rep, it is imperative that people begin to understand that being religious in the Middle East does not make you evil, as much as living in America does not make you a money-grubbing snob.

1: http://www.dw.de/religious-divides-deepen-in-syria/a-16624528

2: https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2013/08/2648161/

Food and Hospitality The Syrian Way

Every culture has aspects that connect its people; art, music, and dance are all such aspects, but one part that really brings together not only people of a culture but people outside the culture is food. As such, here as some popular Syrian dishes that one can be sure to find around the country.

Kibbeh

http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/recipes/2012/feb/fried_kibbeh.htm

Kibeh is a food that is popular not only in Syria, but across the Middle East as well. It is made of cracked wheat - called bulghur - and can be made with minced onions, mint, and various other herbs, and is stuffed with either lamb, camel, goat, or beef. It is widely enjoyed, and as most dishes tend to exist, can be found made in a variety of ways.

Kufta Kabab

http://catholicfoodie.com/grilled-lamb-kabobs-kafta-kofta-or-kufta

Kababs (kebob, kabob, there are many spellings) is something that people outside of the Middle East can identify. In Syrian culture, these delicious skewers of meat are most commonly made with lamb, onion, garlic, parsley, mint, and a variety of other spices and herbs. This is a common food piece in many countries around Syria as well, and as expected, varieties are plenty.

Markook (or Sajj)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markook

Markook (or Sajj) is a flat bread that is cooked on a convex metal dome. It is stretched thinly over the dome as dough, and is similar to pita bread. It is a large part of the Syrian diet, as bread is common at meals in the Middle East.

Kibbeh Recipe

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs finely ground beef or lamb, lean, divided
• 1/2 lb. bulghur cracked wheat, medium or #2
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus 1/2 teaspoon
• 1 teaspoon pepper, plus 1/2 teaspoon
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 2 medium onions, 1 finely chopped, and 1 coarsely chopped, divided
• 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• vegetable oil for frying

Preparation:

In a medium bowl, soak wheat for 30 minutes in cold water. Remove and drain. Remove excess water by squeezing through thick paper towel or cheesecloth. Place into medium bowl and combine with 1 lb. meat, coarsely chopped onion, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.Preparation:

Combine well and place small amount in food processor until dough-like consistency. You can slowly add an ice cube at a time during processing if needed. Place mixture aside, covered. Instead of using a food processor, you can use a mortar and pestle, however it will take you over an hour to achieve desired consistency.

Prepare Kibbeh Stuffing

In a medium frying pan, saute the finely chopped onion in olive oil. Add pine nuts if desired. Add ground lamb or beef and chop well with wooden spoon or spatula to ensure the meat is chopped. Add allspice, salt, pepper, and cumin. Once beef is light brown, remove from heat. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.

Assemble Kibbeh and Fry

Take an egg sized amount of shell mixture and form into a ball. With your finger, poke a hole in the ball, making a space for filling. Add filling and pinch the top to seal the ball. You can then shape it into a point, or football shape, or leave as a ball.

Fry in 350 degree oil on stove top or in deep fryer for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Makes 25 medium sized kibbeh.

Recipe from: http://mideastfood.about.com/od/beef/r/basickibbeh.htm

A Common Act of Hospitality

People in Western culture (namely America) have a deep aversion to strangers. A family is wary of strangers walking by them at night, and as for inviting a stranger in, you can be sure there is a mental debate about whether or not to let them through the threshold. Now, of course not all people in Western culture are like this, but I know that my family is like this, and I know a fairly decent amount of other families that think the same way. Fear of the unknown - it's a standard human fear. So one would think that Syria would follow similar rules right?

Wrong.

In Syria, hospitality is abundant. One can find many stories of how a random Syrian person invited the tourist for tea or coffee and refused to let them pay, or how a Syrian household let a complete stranger stay in their guest room (one that is often very decorated) without fears. One might not even be asked what they're doing or who they are by the homeowner until three days after they arrive! Every culture is different, and I know that hearing about the unbridled hospitality that Syrians (and other Middle Eastern peoples) have towards guests and strangers, I was baffled. I could simply not imagine letting an unknown person into my home, let alone not caring to ask who they are and what they are doing until three days later! That is why cultures are different though, and it is important to be able to learn about what makes them so.

Common Misconceptions

1. Everyone's a Terrorist: Media has often portrayed people of the Middle East as villainous, and perpetuates the stereotype that they are all terrorists. They are seen as kidnappers, money launderers, hijackers, and much more, despite the fact that this is blatantly untrue. Uninformed people often connect Islam with terrorism, which is inaccurate. Islam is a peaceful religion, which strongly oppose violence. Self defense is really the only reason violence would even be an option. Overall, equating the Middle East to terrorism is just an accusation without substantial foundation.
2. They live in a historic society: Again, in media, the Middle East is shows as run down buildings and rickety cars, with uncleanliness abound, so many people think if this when they think of Syria. In reality, they are just as advanced as any other country. There is free primary and secondary education, and have made strides in the modernization of global society, such as how "Ibn Khaldoun was the founder of the social sciences, and Ibn Haytham made major contributions in the field of optics" (Ardisson).
3. There's nothing but desert: Sand. Sand. And more sand. Deserts envelop the Middle East according to most portrayals of countries throughout the region. Though they may be deserts - the Syrian Desert for one - but there are rivers, green valleys, seas of crops, and lakes all over. Mount Hermon is a snow capped mountain that is in Syria, and there is definitely more than just deserts.

info found on 

http://www.ardisson.org/smokey/mal/intro.pdf

Geography

Topography

http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/syria-topographic-map.htm

Features

Syrian Desert

http://www.dreamholidayblog.com/top-10-largest-deserts-in-the-world/

 

A large desert that resides in a total of four countries (Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq), this desert covers 200,000 square miles of land. Over the course of a year, there is less and 5 inches of rainfall. Before modernization, it served as a natural barrier between Mesopotamia and the Levant. Major routes, nomadic tribes, oil pipelines, and horse breeders can be found nowadays. 

Lake Assad

http://girlsoloinarabia.typepad.com/photos/7_syria/lakeassad.html

- 

This is the largest lake in Syria. It is a reservoir created by the Tabqa Dam in 1974. It gains the title of being the largest with measurements of 2.8 cubic miles of depth and 240 square miles of surface. This lake is used to service both sides of the Euphrates River, as well as providing drinking water and a fishing industry.

Mount Hermon

http://www.glaphyridae.com/Biogeografia/SAR.html

This mountain lies in the Lebanon-Syria border. It towers over Syria at 9,232 feet, and is not only the highest point in Syria, but also along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Snow can be found year-round on the mountain, and it has been a landmark for ages. It holds the sources of the Jordan River, and Greek temples circa 200 CE can be found there as well.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/579014/Syrian-Desert

http://www.eosnap.com/tag/lake-assad/

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/263323/Mount-Hermon