Syriac Heritage Conference opened in Damascus
Syria-Regional, Local, 4/14/2004

The Minister of Culture, Mahmoud al-Sayyed, inaugurated at the al-Assad Library in Damascus Tuesday the 3-day 9th Conference of Syriac Heritage sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and the Lebanese Center for Oriental Studies and Researches.

Attending the Conference, titled "Syriac as a Turning Point: Biladul Sham Experience in the Omayya Period," were Assistants to the Minister of Culture, His Eminence Patriarch Zakka I Iwass of Antioch and All Orient for the Syriac Orthodox, Patriarch Mar Ignatius Butros Abdul Ahad of the Syriac Catholics, Patriarch Gregorius IIV Laham of the Roman Catholics, Archbishop Youssuf Anis Abi Ad, Representative of the Maronite Patriarch Nassrullah Sfeir and a host of Christian clerics and invitees.

In his speech, the Minister of Culture welcomed the participants to the Conference, stressing that "Syria was and will continue under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad to enhance civilized, human values out of its humanitarian nature and glorious history."

The Minister pointed out that the role of the Syriac was important in building the Arab civilization in the Omayyad period and was even deeper, more important and comprehensive in the following Abbasid period.

He indicated that this Syriac importance was not only confined to translation from Sytriac and Greek into Arabic but also several Syriac scientists contributed with their intellectual products to enriching various branches of science, particularly in the fields of medicine, philosophy and astronomy.

For his part, His Eminence Patriarch Zakka I Iwass of Antioch and All Orient for the Syriac Orthodox said it is a source of pride that Damascus hosts a conference that "reminds the world of the history of Syria and those glorious ancestors who were the pioneers of civilization and sciencesÉ. who paved the way to development, prosperity and the messages of the heavenly religions."

He asserted that the convening of the Conference in Damascus "symbolizes the freedom of thinking and scientific research in Syria," and an evidence of the firm national unity as developed and protected by the late leader Hafez al-Assad and continued under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad.

Rev. Maron Atallah, Head of the Oriental Center for Studies and Research, talked in his speech about the topics of the Conference as well as future activities of the Center, including a news series titled "Syriac Fountains" along with its translations into Arabic, English, French and other live languages.

Later, the Conference held its first sessions with two lectures by the Researchers Samir Khalil of the Christian Arab Heritage Center in Lebanon, and another by Faisal Abdullah of Damascus University.

Previous Stories:
  Syria's population is about 20 million   (4/7/2004)
  Prof. Mattie and the findings of Ebla   (4/7/2004)
  The 4th Syrian International Oil and Gas, and first International Environment exhibitions   (4/5/2004)
  Delegation for international peace march women cyclists in Damascus   (2/12/2004)
  Otari meets with Arab ministers of higher education   (12/19/2003)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search