be known as its and defeat the Soviets. “jihad,” In addition to position on the armament of Iran on both the conventional and the Russia’s nuclear levels, let me also remind you that it was the Russian-made Scud missiles that Gaddafi used against his people in his desperate attempt to survive. Meanwhile, the Russian ambassador and the Russian news agency became the only source of news for the Libyan and Syrian regimes which are both exterminating their people. Sympathy for Russia in comparison with the West goes back to the Socialist-Communist camp in the Arab world at the time when the Soviet Union enjoyed for decades close military, economic, and ties with several repressive regimes in the region like Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and others. Intellectuals and the media were the best way to promote the Socialist ideology during this era and the sympathy we can see now for Russia is a remnant of that time. However, it looks like the old story is about to end soon. (The writer is Head of Media at Al Arabiya. This article was first published in Al Jazira newspaper on Aug. 28, 2011 and was translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid.) Rocking the boat of Syrian religious tolerance Published: 30 August, 2011, 10:04 Edited: 30 August, 2011, 10:04 With more than 4,000 years of history, Damascus, like the rest of Syria, has been home to multiple faiths. But with the recent political unrest, many are starting to wonder whether this delicate balance of religious tolerance may soon be gone. Protests in Syria started out with political slogans. But when violence breaks out, people come to blows over issues of faith, not politics. For now, Huda is enjoying the quiet comfort of her home. Like most Christians in the country, it is a life she has been used to since her childhood. was growing up in a place with Christians, Jews, Muslims, and everyone got along just “I fine. We she says. still do, actually,” But it is not like this everywhere. More than 70 per cent of the Syrian population is Muslim, and just like Christians, most Muslims here belong to different branches of the religion.
be known as its “jihad,” and defeat the Soviets. In addition to Russia’s position on the armament of Iran on both the conventional and the nuclear levels, let me also remind you that it was the Russian-made Scud missiles that Gaddafi used against his people in his desperate attempt to survive. Meanwhile, the Russian ambassador and the Russian news agency became the only source of news for the Libyan and Syrian regimes which are both exterminating their people. Sympathy for Russia in comparison with the West goes back to the Socialist-Communist camp in the Arab world at the time when the Soviet Union enjoyed for decades close military, economic, and ties with several repressive regimes in the region like Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and others. Intellectuals and the media were the best way to promote the Socialist ideology during this era and the sympathy we can see now for Russia is a remnant of that time. However, it looks like the old story is about to end soon. (The writer is Head of Media at Al Arabiya. This article was first published in Al Jazira newspaper on Aug. 28, 2011 and was translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid.) Rocking the boat of Syrian religious tolerance Published: 30 August, 2011, 10:04 Edited: 30 August, 2011, 10:04 With more than 4,000 years of history, Damascus, like the rest of Syria, has been home to multiple faiths. But with the recent political unrest, many are starting to wonder whether this delicate balance of religious tolerance may soon be gone. Protests in Syria started out with political slogans. But when violence breaks out, people come to blows over issues of faith, not politics. For now, Huda is enjoying the quiet comfort of her home. Like most Christians in the country, it is a life she has been used to since her childhood. “I was growing up in a place with Christians, Jews, Muslims, and everyone got along just fine. We still do, actually,” she says. But it is not like this everywhere. More than 70 per cent of the Syrian population is Muslim, and just like Christians, most Muslims here belong to different branches of the religion.
59850_Russia%20110830.docx