This observer experienced an epiphany of sorts during his time in Yabroud. A cynic might just attribute it to heatstroke or prolonged lack of sleep. But I would demure. After meeting with several of Yabroud citizens, (approximately 60% of Yabroud's pre-war population has now returned after fleeing the fighting en masse in 2013) and witnessing first hand how Yabroud has become a cultural heritage boom town of sorts as people get about repairs, reconciliation, forgiveness for perceived past trespasses in historic scenic town which historically has been among Syria's many villages where Muslims (who make up 75% of Yabroud's population) and Christians have lived in peace and mutual respect as one family.
To offer one of more than a couple dozen examples that this observer has surveyed in Yabroud, consider the Greek Catholic Cathedral of Constantine and Helen which sustained damage in October of 2013. The Cathedral, considered by locals to be the oldest church in Syria is located in the heart of Yabroud on the slope of the Qalamoun Mountains 80 kilometers NW of Syria's capitol. The Cathedral has been completely restored by the Christian and Muslim residents of Yabroud without any outside financial support or permissions. The photos below show the main damage caused to the roof of the Cathedral by a rocket three years ago and its current repair as of 8/12/2016.
[Photo: Franklin Lamb. Yabroud citizens repairing their Cathedral in March of 2014.]
[Below, the interior of the Cathedral of Constantine and Helen in Yabroud as it is today.]
A mortar had blasted a hole in the roof of the Cathedral of Constantine and Helen. At the end of hostilities, Yabroud citizens took it upon themselves to repair all damage. The above photo shows the lower right damaged section of the roof has been replaced. Soon to be painted to match the undamaged roof sections.
[Photo: Ibrahim Mustafa Alkhateeb 8/11/2016 ]
Below, the interior of the Cathedral of Constantine and Helen in Yabroud as it is today
(Image by Ibrahim Mustafa Alkhateeb 8/11/2016) Details DMCA
So my point is what dear reader?
It is that despite the horror inflicted on hundreds of thousands of victims here in Syrian during these past 67 months, when the maelstrom ends, it will be the Syrian people themselves who will take the lead and rebuild and reconstruct Syria better than it was before the start of the carnage.
One Syria archeologist who is working intensely on archeological restoration projects here wrote to this observer earlier this month on the subject of challenges cultural heritage restorers are facing today: "Security remains a major problem. Various logistical problems exist for restoration projects in liberated areas and often there is a lack of traditional compatible materials. There is a need for more human resources and experts. DGAM can take the lead but needs a range of equipment from simple equipment to computers, scanners, printers, service cars and equipment. There is also the recognition that residential buildings and emergency housing should have priority. International cooperation has been limited due mainly to security obstacles, and DGAM can't face this disaster alone."
The people of Syria do not need nor do they seek the arrival of western "Democracy projects" asserting a Kiplingesque "White man's burden" obligation. Nor will they accept rebranded Sykes or Picot or Balfour wannebees. Nor revanchists suffering delusional fantasies of another Persian, Ottoman, Soviet, or American-led Western hegemonic project. No more so than Syrians I have become friends would accept a Caliphate of any sort.
We all know dear reader that Syria as a country is severely wounded. None of us can deny this reality. And sometimes this observer becomes enervated, discouraged, depressed, and perhaps cynical, at all the carnage still swirling dizzyingly around us and being inflicted on the innocent here in Syria.
Yet I remain convinced from my experience here that it will be the Syrian people themselves and only the Syrian people, as the custodians of ten millennia and more of our shared and currently endangered cultural heritage who we can each count on to preserve, protect and restore this cradle of civilization's endangered cultured heritage.
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