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Putin Hails Muslims for Preserving Christian Legacy in Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Syrian president Bashar Assad at the historic Umayyad Mosque in old Damascus. (AFP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin with Syrian president Bashar Assad at the historic Umayyad Mosque in old Damascus. (AFP)
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Putin Hails Muslims for Preserving Christian Legacy in Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Syrian president Bashar Assad at the historic Umayyad Mosque in old Damascus. (AFP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin with Syrian president Bashar Assad at the historic Umayyad Mosque in old Damascus. (AFP)

Moscow revealed on Thursday the details of the arrangements that were carried out for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s surprise visit to Damascus exactly a year ago.

The documentary “No Right for Error. A Christmas Visit to Damascus” shed light on the massive security preparations and the major deliberate misleading media campaign that preceded the visit to the region that was on edge after the US killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad on January 3, 2020.

Putin visited the Syrian capital four days later on Orthodox Christmas Day. Footage of the Russian leader’s tour of a Russian military center in Damascus accompanied by president Bashar Assad were widely circulated.

It was significant that the leaders did not meet at the presidential palace. They were also shown visiting the Umayyad Mosque and the Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus.

The documentary, aired by Russia 1 TV channel, revealed that Putin had agreed with Assad not to disclose the details of the trip.

In the documentary, the Russian president commented on how “life had returned to normal in Damascus,” noting, however, the many checkpoints that dotted the capital.

Transportation, shops, restaurants and cafes were operating normally and many people were visiting the historic part of the city, he continued.

He said that security restrictions meant that he would not be able to walk on the streets. In the few minutes that he did, he encountered very friendly people.

Moreover, he revealed that he sought to visit the Mariamite Cathedral on the occasion of Orthodox Christmas. He chose to make a stop at the Umayyad Mosque because the remains of John the Baptist are buried there.

He acknowledged that he was surprised that the remains have been kept so carefully by Muslims. John the Baptist is the prophet Yahya in Islam, while Jesus Christ is the prophet Isa in Islam, he went on to say, stressing that this highlights the rapprochement between the Christian and Muslim religions.

He also thanked Muslim officials for protecting the Christian legacy in Syria.

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Desperate for Cash, Gazans Sell Clothes Plucked from Rubble

Desperate for Cash, Gazans Sell Clothes Plucked from Rubble
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Desperate for Cash, Gazans Sell Clothes Plucked from Rubble

Desperate for Cash, Gazans Sell Clothes Plucked from Rubble

Moein Abu Odeh clambered up a pile of rubble in southern Gaza, searching for clothes, shoes, anything he could sell to raise cash more than a year since Israel started its relentless bombardments.

The father-of-four delved under blocks and brushed away piles of concrete dust at the site of one airstrike in the wrecked city of Khan Younis. His plan was to sell what he found to buy flour.

"If food and drink were available, believe me, I would give (these clothes) to charity," he said. "But the struggles we are going through (mean we) have to sell our clothes to eat and drink."

Widespread shortages and months of grinding war have generated a trade in old clothing, much of it salvaged from the homes of people who have died in the conflict.

At one makeshift market, shoes, shirts, sweaters and sneakers were laid out on dusty blankets, Reuters reported.

A girl tried on a single worn-out boot, which could come in handy this winter if she can afford it in Gaza's ruined economy.

A trader got an edge on his competitors by shouting out that his wares were European.

One man laughed as he got a young boy to try on a green jacket.

"We get clothing from a man whose house was destroyed. He was digging in the concrete to get some (clothing) and we buy them like this and sell them at a good price," displaced Palestinian Louay Abdel-Rahman said.

He and his family arrived in the city from another part of Gaza with only the clothes they were wearing. So he also keeps some back for them. "The seasons have changed from summer to winter and we need clothing," he said.

In April, the UN estimated it would take 14 years to dispose of the wreckage in Gaza. The UN official overseeing the problem said the clean-up would cost at least $1.2 billion.

More than 128,000 buildings have been destroyed or severely or moderately damaged in Gaza as a result of the conflict, the UN says. Underneath all of that are seams of mangled clothes.

"All our children only have short-sleeve clothing and nobody is helping them," Saeed Doula, a father-of-seven, said. "The war is all-encompassing."