Beat Memo: Syria
By Rasheed Haidar Posted Jul 1 2003
CONTEXT
Occupying an area slightly larger than North Dakota and twice the size of Portugal, Syria is bordered by Lebanon and the Mediterranean in the west, Jordan and Palestine in the south, Iraq in the east and Turkey in the north.
Damascus is Syria’s capital and largest city. It grew around the Barada River and Ghouta Oasis. Damascus is said to be the world’s oldest continously inhabited city; there was a settlement here as long ago as 5000 B.C. Today, its fascination lies in its mysterious bazaars and monuments. At the center of the city is Martyr’s Square.
ECONOMY AND POLITICS
The Syrian government is headed by President Bashar Al-Assad, leader of the Bath Arab Socialist Party, which is the predominant party in Syria. Other parties include Arab Socialist Party, Arab Socialist Unionist Party, Syrian Communist Party, Unionist Socialist Democratic Party and Syrian Arab Socialist Union Party.
For the past 10 years, after more than 30 years of state-controlled economy and a near-total ban on imports, the Syrian government has changed course and adopted a free market system. This liberalization is due to the expansion of the oil and gas industry in which change is carefully being implemented on a step-by-step basis.
RELIGION
Islam is the predominant religion in Syria; its holy book is Al-Qur’an, and Friday is its Sabbath day. Five times a day, Muslims are called for prayer from the minarets of the mosques that dot the country.
Syrian holidays and festivals are mostly Islamic. The biggest is Ramadan, a month (the date changes every year) when everyone fasts between sunrise and sunset to conform to the four pillars of Islam. At this time, be sensitive to the fact that most of the people around you are very hungry. Ramadan ends with a huge feast called Eid-Al Fitr. During this feast, people pray together, put on new clothes, visit relatives, and friends and children receive money and gifts.
Eid-Al-Adha, another big event for celebration, is the other big feast of the year, and it marks the time when Muslims should make the pilgrimage trip to Mecca.
Throughout the country, you will find many spectacular ancient and historical sites, with relics left by the Muslim Caliphs, the Romans and the Byzantines. There are also plenty of religious works left by the crusaders.
CLIMATE AND CULTURE
Syria’s Mediterranean climate has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, though it gets progressively drier inland. On the coast, average daily temperatures range from 84 F (29 C) in summer to 50 F (10 C) in winter. In the steppe areas, where most cities are, temperatures are around 95 F (35 C) in summer and 54 F (12 C) in winter, while in the desert, temperatures can reach as high as 115 F (46 C) in summer.
Hospitality is a cornerstone of Arab life. It is commonplace for Syrian families, especially desert-dwellers, to invite strangers into their homes. “Tfaddal” is a common term that, loosely translated, means “welcome.”
It is possible to get by on USD$15-20 a day, but if you prefer to stay in a room with its own bathroom and eat in a restaurant once a day, you will need to budget about USD$40-50 a day.
Tipping is the grease that keeps the Middle East running smoothly. Most waiters and some people who open doors or carry luggage will expect a tip.
When Syrians eat out, they usually order group meals. Arabic unleavened bread, or khboz, is eaten with almost everything.
MEDIA
All foreigners need a visa to enter Syria, which can be obtained at consulates or, in some cases, on arrival if the country does not have diplomatic representation. If there is evidence of a visit to Israel in your passport, you won’t be allowed in.
The media in the Syrian Arab Republic is state-controlled, but there has been more press freedom since President Bashar Al-Assad took office in 2000.
There are six main daily newspapers in Syria; four are published in Damascus, including the English language Syria Times, one in Aleppo and one in Hama.
Syria has two regional television channels, the first broadcast in Arabic, and the second, Syrian Channel 2, has a wide range of English and French programs, including the 10 o’clock news in English. There are five main radio stations in Syria.