by Hummam Sheikh Ali

ALEPPO, Syria, March 31 (Xinhua) -- In a display of unity and resilience, over 1,200 people gathered at the recently renovated Grand Umayyad Mosque in Aleppo city for a mass iftar dinner organized by local charities on Saturday, marking the first communal gathering of its kind in 12 years.

The event, organized by the Syrian Trust for Development in collaboration with local charities, aims to revive the old Ramadan spirit in Aleppo, a historic and cultural hub in Syria.

The Grand Umayyad Mosque holds special significance as a World Heritage Site believed to house the remains of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist.

Tables were arranged in long lines in the spacious yard of the Umayyad Mosque to accommodate more than 1,200 guests. The sight was special as it blended the historic charm of the venue with visitors experiencing it for the first time in years, as the mosque had been undergoing restoration since the eastern part of Aleppo was liberated by the Syrian army in 2016.

Yasser Mahmalat, director of the Old Aleppo Minaret, a center established by the Syrian Trust for Development to help revive ancient Aleppo, emphasized the importance of the event in bringing together all segments of Aleppo society, including workers who contributed to the mosque's rehabilitation.

"The importance of the gathering lies in the fact that after 12 years, the popular assembly has returned, and this wonderful gathering includes all the spectrums of the city of Aleppo in addition to workers and craftsmen with their families who have restored and are restoring this mosque," he said.

He noted the spiritual connection that was achieved between the stone walls of the mosque and the people gathered there.

"The Umayyad Mosque is a spiritual symbol, but this spirit is only completed with the presence of people, and with people in this spiritual site, a spiritual connection between stones and humans is achieved today," he remarked.

Maher Shieha, a 70-year-old resident of Aleppo, was nostalgic as he revisited the mosque after its restoration and took part in the iftar banquet, reminiscing about the peaceful pre-war days. He expressed hope for continued improvement in the city's situation.

"This iftar brought us back to the days before the war. We returned to the days of the grand mosque in Ramadan Taraweeh prayers when it was full of people. Today, we remember beautiful memories," he said.

Mohammed Alabi, a 30-year-old resident of Aleppo who was also on the iftar table in the mosque with his family, highlighted the unity of the people in the city, emphasizing that progress and improvement are inevitable when the community comes together.

"All of Syria has suffered, but Aleppo, in particular, has suffered greatly due to the crisis, but it is returning to its former glory because its people are united, so it will return to what it was, God willing," he said. Enditem

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