Society

A sweet tooth is not necessarily a Ramadan liability.
It may be a time that we generally associate with discipline and denial, but Ramadan also has a sweet and palatable tradition that is anything but lacking in indulgence. From “na’aym,” a crispy, honey-covered bread sold in the street and by vendors on bike to “qatayef,” a folded pastry stuffed with walnuts and unsalted cheese delivered to one’s door to “tamerhindi,” sweet homemade date juice, Ramadan is a time for desserts unseen during the rest of the year – and favorites enjoyed year-round. Those who fast say dessert isn’t just an empty delight at Ramadan: It’s also a great way to quickly replenish energy and follow the example of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), who is said to have broken his fasts with water and dates.  

Ramadan goes into effect when any citizen sees the half-moon, and informs government authorities of his observation, setting into motion a month rich in tradition and ritual. Mosques become especially active during the month of Ramadan, receiving worshippers throughout the day and holding evening seminars on Islamic theology. The 27th of Ramadan, or Laylet al-Qadr (The Night of Fate), is a special day for Muslims, during which the skies are believed to open for prayers. People flock to the mosques, pray collectively (with a special section reserved for women) until sunrise, and then eat a collective meal (sehour). Custom has it that people break their fast at sunset (which starts at approximately 7:30 pm this Ramadan) eating a date and drinking water, as done by the Prophet Mohammad. These light appetizers are then followed by prayer and then a full meal.

With three words, men in Muslim societies can permanently divorce their wives. Divorce in itself used to be taboo in Damascus but is becoming increasingly acceptable. Women emancipation is one reason for the increasing divorce rate in Damascus. So are emotional and sexual incompatibility.

In January of 2008, a legendary chess player and artist passed away. Robert (Bobby) Fischer, the only American Chess World Champion of the 20th century, was credited as the one who was able to break decades of Soviet domination over chess in 1972, and the story of his victory includes many elements of intrigue that transcend the chess board.

Established in 1937, Rawda Cafe is one of the surviving ‘giants’ of Damascus. It hosts young and old, rich and poor, male and female. It is the melting-pot of the Syrian capital.

Damascus is «my» town! I believe this statement—other than just stating the obvious, or endearing me to my fellow Damascenes—to be a noble and weighty statement. For Damascus, like any true megalopolis, is overpopulated with people who claim they are true denizens of this glorious city; yet seem to go about their daily lives taking Her for granted. I mean, I would be lying if I said I would mind living in a city that is more proper and clean, less crowded, better organized, greener (a sad observation for a city that, only 35 years ago, was still 60% green!), less noisy, or which possesses less ugly Stalin-era monstrosities of Architecture. I would LOVE it. And it is a sentiment that any self-respecting Damascene waking up to the unpleasant and suffocating smog, and passing by (or entering) some of the ugliest public buildings in the world—would undoubtedly share with me.

‘Are you an Armenian?’ That is the first comment one might hear if he or she makes a linguistic mistake between feminine and masculine in Arabic. Many Armenians after all are still ‘rough’ when it comes to speaking the Arabic language fluently, although they have lived among Arabs for de-cades. It is light sarcasm, not meant to offend the Armenians, but only add humor to their figures of speech, while emphasizing how strongly they have blended-in with Syrian society. We hear about ‘Armenian isolation’ and their preference to live in closed Armenian communities. That does not mean, however, that they have not melted-in with Syrian society. It just shows that they are ‘different Syrians’ with particular characteristics—but they are Syrians after all. And, they are very proud of being different.

Well, if you did, then you’d know that the Mohicans—now all but extinct, by the good graces of 18th century European colonialism—were a Native American tribe, who converted to Christianity and fought on the side of the American colonists in both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. Not only was their role cynically ignored later by their colonial allies; they were also dispossessed of their land and forced to move westward, where their culture and population withered to obscurity. Had it not been for James Fennimore Cooper’s novel The Last of The Mohicans (the basis of the excellent Hollywood movie with the same name, starring Daniel Day Lewis); this entire people would quite simply have disappeared from the annals of history.

This is the tale of a brother, who, out of poverty, decided to make his sister marry a man who has enough money to provide for her and her family. After few months of marriage, the husband suffered financial difficulties. He then convinced his wife’s brother that she was a profitable enterprise, regardless of tradition, customs, or “honor.” When first asked to bed people for money, she refused. She soon found she had no choice, however, and eventually succumbed to the will of the two men controlling her life. She spent endless nights paying a very dear price—while they were handsomely rewarded for her services.