BOOK: A SYRIAN JOURNEY
The source of the speech is:
Alarab online, UK
May 4 2006
“A Syrian journey” is new book about Syria co-authored by the diplomat
Dnayneshwar Mulay and his wife, the economic expert Sadhna Shanker. The
book is launched in attendance of HE Dr. Saad Allah Agha Qalla,
Minister of Tourism, and HE Ambassador of India in Damascus.
The book falls into six chapters, to include the experience of Mr. and
Mrs. Mulay in traveling and visiting the touristic, archaeological,
cultural and economic sites and their interaction with several
communities of the Syrian society all over Syria.
Mr. Ayman Abdel Nour delivered a speech in the occasion of launching
the book. Bellow is the transcript of his speech:
HE Dr. Saad Allah Agha Qalla, Minister of Tourism, HE Ambassador of
India, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I’m standing here today to talk about (Ahlan Wa Sahlan …A Syrian
journey) a book co-authored by the diplomat Dnayneshwar Mulay and his
wife,the economic expert Sadhna Shanker,. I’m standing here today to
talk about a book, whose co-authors’ main objective was not to come
up with a book for promoting Syria, attracting FDI’s into the country,
or a book to be used as a tourist guide.
However, the authors’ job was not to bring out such kind of books.
Moreover, they were not basically required to bring out such books.
But the feelings and sentiments implied in the book, the tales and
stories contained therein on Syria, the humanitarian attitudes
it mentions on the Syrians and the pictures it displays on the
archaeological sites, throw into the heart of the reader a message that
is much more important than all objectives that I previously mentioned.
The book, like any other book, reflects the experience, maturity,
wisdom and style of its authors. A senior career diplomat, who has
published several books of prose and poetry in several languages,
and also an experienced photographer, who has held several solo
exhibitions of his photographs; and also his wife, an economic expert
and a senior officer of the Indian Ministry of Finance, both, Mr. and
Mrs. Mulay, make a harmonious couple with multidimensional experience
in several domains.
Their experience is coated with a subtle human sense, nobility of
character, tolerance, good manners and renunciation of the worldly
pleasures. Thus, what else could we expect from such a couple,
other than a creation that is soaring high in the realm of art and
literature.
The book, which falls in six chapters, depicts the practice and
experience of Mr. and Mrs. Mulay in traveling and visiting the tourist,
archaeological, cultural and economic sites and their interaction
with several communities of the Syrian society all over Syria. Their
expert-eyes have captured images and incidents that we view as ordinary
or natural. But they are not, in the perspective of such a couple,
who have come from another country.
The book starts with describing the mixed feelings of apprehension
and excitement when Syria was identified as Mr. Mulay’s next
destination. They had barely known about Syria when they landed
there. ‘Syria? Is it Sierra Leone or Siberia? Some have warned that
it might be the next target after Iraq. In their news-hungry BBC,
CNN dominated lives, Syria may not make news. And when it does, it is
mostly in the context of US sanctions and Arab-Israeli conflict. When
they had typed ‘Syria’ in the search columns, ‘a desert country’,
stretches of sand’ popped up on the net invariably. When they arrived
in Damascus, they were still under the impression that they were
coming to ‘the Great Syrian Desert’.
The authors conclude by saying that the years they have spent and
lived in Syria, and contrary to all stereotyped images, have unveiled
an enchanting mosaic for a magical landscape, ancient civilization,
stupendous ruins, soothing forests, imposing citadels, mystical
churches, biblical roads and warm hospitable and friendly people.
Ultimately, they come to the conclusion that Syria is a well-kept
secret treasure in the chaotic abyss of our contemporary commercial
world. It allows you to slow down from the pace of New York and
London and grows upon you silently the way civilizations have grown
upon each other from at least the last 5000 years here in Syria.
Syria is unbelievably safe and a tranquil peaceful place to live in,
with the snow, rains, heat, desert, magnificent rivers and seashores,
which offers a mind-boggling diversity.
The authors request anyone who is willing to see Syria and give
his judgment of it, to cross the barriers of his own prejudice and
be prepared to savor in Syria the way Ibn Jubair, the 12th century
Andalusian traveler, savored Damascus: “If paradise be on earth,
it is, without a doubt, Damascus.”
The first chapter sheds the light on simple-assistance incidents the
two authors have received from ordinary people in the street, which
generates in them a deep impression on the nobility and genuineness
of these people. They mention that the ‘smile’ and ‘Ahlan wa Sahlan’
mark spirit of the Syrian people, their history and their daily life.
The second chapter (Land and Its History) demonstrates the diversity
and tradition of Syria, starting with the coastal line through the
eastern desert. They also come to the mention of all civilizations
and peoples that had dwelled this part of the world, its history and
major incidents.
The third chapter talks about the Syrian cities and the competition
between Damascus and Aleppo, be it history-wise or economy-wise. The
authors talk of the capital, its smooth roads and close-to-earth
buildings (fewer tall buildings), and how it, from Qasyoon, lights up
like a crown in the evenings. All the mosque spires sparkle in green.
The buildings and illuminated signboards impart special flavor on
Damascus, which appears like a kaleidoscope, anyway you turn it you
have a different view or vision to offer.
Talking of Aleppo, they describe it as ‘a city that carries on-
it stands there as a proof and promise that life is all about
regeneration’. Talking about Quneitra, he describes how marriages
get solemnized in this remote part of the world, in the so-called
‘Shouting Valley’ on both sides of the Syrian borderline, which is
occupied by Israel. He says that the family whose child has gone
over, look on return as if they had attended a funeral, rather than a
wedding. Then they shift to Homs, which he calls, ‘the city of smiles’,
which gives rise to a host of Syrian jokes that bring a smile to many
faces. Moving to Der ez-Zor, he points out how the city was also home
to many of the Armenians fleeing the genocide of 1915 and how they
were welcomed with open arms.
In the fourth chapter, the authors talk about society and culture and
shed the light on the ethnic, sectarian and religious diversity, which
marks unity of the Syrian society, which is known for its tolerance,
respect of difference and pride in their own cultural heritage, which
substantiates the view that Syria is ‘the cradle of civilization.’ In
their description of the Syrian cuisine, they indicate that what we
know as ‘Kebab Hindi’ is known as ‘Kebab Shami’ in India.
The last chapter touches upon the Indo-Syrian relations and reviews
history of the Silk Road through Mahatma Gandhi, who had advocated
of rights of the Palestinian people. It also talks about the close
relation between Indira Gandhi and late President Hafez al-Assad
and that there are about 200 students from India studying theology
in Sayeeda Zenab, a Shiite Islamic shrine devoted to the great
granddaughter of Prophet Mohammad in Damascus. It also mentions that
3.5 million of followers of the Syrian Christian church live peacefully
in India.
I conclude by saying that the book, in its diversity, constitutes a
major contribution to the Syrian library and a book that is worthy to
be read. Also, it might be worthily recommended to use parts of the
book in the teaching syllabuses of the intermediate schools in Syria.