This 1,000-Year-Old Minaret Was Destroyed in Aleppo Syria Last Week

Sunday, April 28, 2013

This 1,000-Year-Old Minaret Was Destroyed in Aleppo Syria Last Week

The minaret of the Great Mosque in Aleppo,
circa 1910. (Library of Congress, American Colony
collection)

The horrific bloodshed in Syria continues without any restraint. More than 80,000 civilians have been killed, and unknown numbers are missing and wounded. More than one million civilians are refugees.

With few signs of international action to stop the terrible harm to flesh and blood, we add another reminder here of the catastrophe: the great destruction to the mortar and stone of Syria's magnificent historical heritage. The minaret was built almost 1,000 years ago as part of Aleppo's Great Mosque.

In fighting between President Assad's army and Syrian rebels last week the ancient minaret was destroyed.

The destroyed minaret, photo taken last week by
Associated Press

View other historical features on the ancient cities of Syria

Homs and Hama in Syria

Tribute to the People of Syria

Damascus Revolt 1895

Damascus Revolt 1925

Ancient Aleppo

1 comment:

HaDaRApril 29, 2013 at 4:34 AM
A minaret falls in Aleppo and we get pictures.
The OLDEST SYNAGOGUE IN THE WORLD (2300 years old) in Damascus IS LOOTED, BURNT AND DESTROYED and we get nothing?
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About the Book

U.S. Interests in the Holy Land

Although Jewish life in the Holy Land reawakened during the 19th century, photographs of Jews in Palestine and the life they lived there are scarce. Collecting photographs from the archives of the the Library of Congress, the Ottoman Imperial Archives, the New York Public Library, libraries in universities and churches around the world, and in families’ albums, Lenny Ben-David provides a unique and visual history of the American fascination and dedication to a Jewish national home in the Holy Land.

Photo essays include fascinating stories such as why Lincoln wanted to visit Jerusalem, how the U.S. Navy saved the Jews of Palestine in 1915, why the Chief Rabbi of Palestine visited the White House in 1924, why there was a Ferris wheel on the holy Temple Mount, Mark Twain's stay in Jerusalem, and much more.

About the Author, Lenny Ben-David

Lenny Ben-David has been involved in the study and enhancement of U.S.-Israel relations for more than 40 years. He served as director of AIPAC's Israel office for 15 years, and is the author of Myths and Facts published in 1985 and 1989. Ben-David served as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Israel's Embassy in Washington, D.C for three years, and consulted for foreign governments and other corporations.

Ben-David is the Director of Publications at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.

He and his wife reside in Efrat, Israel, where they are surrounded by children, grandchildren, and fruit trees.