Tue January 15, 2013 In War-Torn Aleppo, Old Doors That Reflect
A Grand Tradition Originally published on Tue January 15, 2013
11:37 am Aleppo's storied old city, which dates to the 12th
century, has suffered much in the fighting between Syrian
government forces and rebels over the past few months. But parts
of the city remain intact, as I saw on a recent walk through the
winding, stone alleys on the way to the front line. Centuries
ago, it took Muslims from this area months in a caravan to make
the pilgrimage, or hajj, to Mecca, the holiest site in Islam,
which is now part of Saudi Arabia. The trip was so difficult
that pilgrims took burial clothes with them in case they didn't
survive. If they did return home, families would organize a
grand welcoming party. They would slaughter a sheep and invite
relatives and neighbors. The house would be open for three days
and nights. The house would also be decorated, and a stencil
would be painted over the door, a mark of honor showing a
drawing of the holy stone in M