The Name of Hafez al-Assad on the Minaret of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus Sparks Controversy in Syria

SadaNews - Syrian social media platforms witnessed a wave of controversy following the spread of a photo displaying 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, claiming that a person had tried to take a picture of the minaret with their phone, only to be surprised to find Hafez al-Assad's name on it.

As the photo gained traction among users in the virtual world, some activists questioned the role of the Umayyad Mosque’s administration in removing what they described as a visual distortion of the features of the Umayyad Mosque.

Some expressed their astonishment at the presence of the name of the late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad and his ousted son, Bashar al-Assad, in every corner of Syrian territory, pointing out that the Assad family's rule aimed to instill the concept of "Syria al-Assad" in the minds of the Syrian people through such practices, reaching even the minaret of the Umayyad Mosque.

In the wake of the ensuing controversy, the official page of the Great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus published a statement on Facebook, affirming the administration's commitment to preserving the cultural and religious heritage of the mosque, which is a historical symbol cherished by Muslims in general and Syrians across different spectrums.

The administration indicated that the Umayyad Mosque is not merely a place of worship but also a testament to the history and identity of the Islamic nation.

The statement included: Firstly, the removal of encroachments, where the mosque's administration will work to remove all encroachments that affect its status and surroundings, ensuring the site's historical integrity and beauty are preserved.

Secondly, addressing visual distortions: Any visual distortions that have affected the mosque or its surroundings will be addressed through renovation and maintenance projects that respect the historical character of the place.

The statement emphasized the importance of preserving the historical character: The administration affirms the significance of maintaining the mosque's historical and architectural character, and all works will be carried out according to established archaeological standards, with the assistance of experts in this field.

The mosque administration called upon all Muslims to cooperate in efforts to maintain the mosque and its surroundings, contributing to raising awareness about its cultural and religious significance, affirming that their support would have a great impact on preserving this landmark for future generations.

It is noteworthy that during the early days following Bashar al-Assad's escape, Syrians took the initiative to remove his name and Hafez al-Assad's name 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.