Khaberni - Syrian social media platforms witnessed controversy after a photo spread showing the name of the late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on one of the minarets of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.
Activists began circulating the photo, which they reported that someone was trying to take a picture of the minaret with his phone and was surprised to find Hafez al-Assad's name on it.
As the photo spread among virtual world users, some activists questioned the role of the Umayyad Mosque administration in removing what they described as visual disfigurement of the Umayyad Mosque landmarks.
Some also expressed their astonishment at the placement of the name of the late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and his son, the ousted President Bashar al-Assad, everywhere in Syrian territories, pointing out that the Assad family's rule aimed to engrain the notion of "Assad's Syria" in the minds of the Syrian people through these practices, even reaching the minaret of the Umayyad Mosque.
Following the controversy, the official page of the Great Umayyad Mosque of Damascus posted a statement on Facebook confirming the administration's firm commitment to preserving the cultural and religious heritage of the mosque, which is a venerable historical symbol in the hearts of Muslims in general and Syrians of all stripes.
The administration noted that the Umayyad Mosque is not just a place for worship, but also a witness to the history and identity of the Muslim nation.
The statement included: Firstly, removal of encroachments, where the mosque administration will work to remove all encroachments affecting its status and surroundings, to ensure the safety of the historical site and preserve its aesthetics.
Secondly, addressing visual distortions: Any visual distortions that have affected the mosque or its surroundings will be addressed through restoration and maintenance projects that consider the historical character of the place.
The statement emphasized preserving the historical and architectural character: The administration reaffirms the importance of preserving the historical and architectural character of the mosque, and all works will be carried out according to the approved archaeological standards, with the help of experts in this field.
The mosque administration invites all Muslims to cooperate in efforts to preserve the mosque and its surroundings, and to contribute to raising awareness about its cultural and religious status, affirming that their support will have a significant impact on preserving this landmark for future generations.
It is worth mentioning that in the early days of Bashar al-Assad's flight, Syrians hastened to remove his and Hafez al-Assad's names from all ministries, government headquarters, and even streets. Photos from that time showed citizens removing Hafez al-Assad's name from the wall of the Umayyad Mosque in the capital, Damascus.
