John Paul Prays for Peace In Former War Zone in
By ALESSANDRA STANLEY
Published: May 8, 2001

it was published in 2001 michael

"i was asking why allesandra stanley- the author of the article reprinted something 6 years old-"

She was not. The current date is stamped on any item you retrieve, while the original date appears in the body of the article. If you can't even understand such simple things I'm really wasting my time arguing with you.

michael- i wasnt asking why you, michael was reprinting the article-
as you didnt do it.
the AUTHOR of the article did-

i was asking why allesandra stanley- the author of the article reprinted something 6 years old-

the article is THE ONE YOU LINKED HERE-
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE7D9163BF93BA35756C0A9679C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all

"Complaints quoted in the article, not "the editorial complaining"

NO MICHAEL- THE COMPALINTS ARE IN THIS ARTICLE-
EXCATLY AS I STATED-

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D01E7DF1F3BF930A25756C0A9679C8B63&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/C/Clinton,%20Hillary%20Rodham
you posted 2 different articles michael-

no, the pope didnt go to qunaitra for a pilgrimage- he was in the middle of a pilgrimage and stopped there-

cnn.com/world may5,2001

the popes speaks his own intentions-

"My pilgrimage is also an ardent prayer of hope. Hope that among the peoples of the region fear will turn to trust and contempt to mutual esteem, that force will give way to dialogue and that a genuine desire to serve the common good will prevail."

now youve qulaified your original statement that the popes reason was to be an ear to assad-

his visit to qunteira was a leg on his journey to see the demolished (by israelis) city and call for peace.

michael- " Regardless of what Mr. Moubayed is or is not saying, the Pope did not go to Qunaitra on a pilgrimage"

michael- youre building an argument fueled by your own anger and (dare i say) racism against syrians- or possibly its just anti-muslim fervor- im not sure yet-

youre using op-ed (6 year old) pieces that are also, xenophobic in tone- to support your own prejudices.

but none of it addresses the article written-

youve zeroed in on one tiny sentence out of the entire article to critique-

its kind of silly-
if it makes you feel better, or superior to argue nonsensical points- so be it-

take it out on me- it doesnt bother me-

the difference is- while ive identified your reasoning, understand it, although i find overt biases distasteful-

you dont seem to have the state of heart necessary to understand a position different than your own

no, i dont condone your racism- but i understand that the basis of your entire point springs from it-

youre not going to convince me of ythe validity of your prejudice, no more than the authors of the op-ed pieces have.

i really liked this article by mr moubayed-

"Connery asked the Patriarch of Antioch about the Christian community in Syria, and whether any prominent Christian had ever reached a senior government post in Syria’s modern history"

then followed with interesting and relevant stories about

FARIS-ALKHURY
SAID ISHAK (president in 1951)
TAWFIQ SHAMIYYA and
MIKHAEL ILLYAN
HANNA MALLECK
and MICHAEL AFLAQ (founder of the baath party- that was interesting- i didnt know that)

and many more-

the sense i got from the article was that syrians have a sense of cultrual pride which they share with each other that transcends religious boundaries, and i find that most pertinent, relevant, and edifying- especially at christmastime.

i suppose one gets out of any give work what is i their own heart.

my hear was lifted and informed by this article.
widen your heart, and your scope to recognize that we are all people, having to live and love together michael.

your anger is not my anger, and i dont resonate to it.

im busy resonating to the message of inclusiveness of the author here.
peace

"yes, michael, you are implying the pope was there to given an ear to assad."

No. He was there because he was taken there by his hosts. I'm not implying it, I'm saying it in so many words.

"what difference would it possibly make for your argument if mr moubayed said the pope went there for a pilgrimage?"

No difference whatsoever. Regardless of what Mr. Moubayed is or is not saying, the Pope did not go to Qunaitra on a pilgrimage. It's not a religious site.

"the israelis were just as irritatingly attmepting to OVERTLY "get the pope" to apologize for the holocaust and be on "their" side."

"ALL FROM YOUR OWN ARTICLE MICHAEL-"

"Vatican aides appeared irritated by implications that the pope's visit was being manipulated by his hosts. ''We couldn't care less about the propaganda."
On Sunday, John Paul became the first pope to visit a mosque."

The pope's aides were talking about Syrian propaganda. The article you are quoting here - the one dated May 8, 2001 - reports on the Pope's visit to Syria, and does not say a word about the holocaust or about the Israelis "trying to get the pope to apologize for it". It's all in your head. This is yet another example of your inability to read and understand a simple text. If my count is right, this is about the 57th such misunderstanding on your part.

"6 SIX total complaints!"

Complaints quoted in the article, not "the editorial complaining" which is what you said before. Do you understand the difference, or is that a problem also? What grade are you at, anyway?

"the REAL question is this-

WHY IS AN ARTICLE FROM MAY OF 2001 BEING REPRINTED TODAY?"

So in addition to all the other things you don't understand, you don't even know what we are doing here. Let me help you out. We are discussing an article by Mr. Sami Moubayed in which he made a reference to the Pope's visit. The Pope's visit took place in 2001, but the article only appeared a few days ago, and that's why we are discussing it now. we are examining the actual reports of the visit, which were written at the time the visit took place, to see how accurate is Mr. Moubayed account of the events. This is known as "fact checking". Do you understand now, or would you like me to slow down even further?

well do this agian simply michael-
you said-"Too bad Mr. Moubayed does not mention the reason Pope John Paul was in the border town of Qunaitra to begin with. Throughout the pope's visit, Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad was trying unsuccessfully to get him to make an anti-Israel statement."

yes, michael, you are implying the pope was there to given an ear to assad.

-"Too bad Mr. Moubayed does not mention the reason Pope John Paul was in the border town of Qunaitra to begin with.

what difference would it possibly make for your argument if mr moubayed said the pope went there for a pilgrimage?

the israelis were just as irritatingly attmepting to OVERTLY "get the pope" to apologize for the holocaust and be on "their" side.

ALL FROM YOUR OWN ARTICLE MICHAEL-

"Vatican aides appeared irritated by implications that the pope's visit was being manipulated by his hosts. ''We couldn't care less about the propaganda."
On Sunday, John Paul became the first pope to visit a mosque."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SO THE ISRAELIS WERE ANGERED THAT THE POPE RECOGNIZED AND VALIDATED THE MUSLIMS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THIS IS WHAT I SAID-
"but the pope didnt satisfy them by apologizing for the holocaust.
its an article about expectations (to take sides)that were disappointed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
your response-
"The article was complaining of no such thing and the more you comment on this issue the more you demonstrate your inability to understand a simple text."

December 28, 2007 8:53 AM

"But he did not respond directly to Mr. Assad, even though the Syrian's remarks ran counter to modern Roman Catholic Church doctrine. That perceived papal lapse RANKLED MANY JEWS.

It wasn't that they challenged his credentials as an interfaith healer... Last year, he apologized for the church's historic sins, including injustices toward Jews. At Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, he expressed the church's regret for Christian persecution of Jews ''at any time and in any place.''

But HE HAS NOT APOLOGOZED specifically for Vatican actions, or inaction, during the HOLOCAUST. Certainly, he has not accepted accusations that Pope Pius XII stood silent as the Nazis tried to exterminate Europe's Jews. That slice of history remains unfinished business between the church and world Jewry. And it helps explain why ANY SILENCE LOOMS LARGE FOR MANY JEWS.

Their reaction was for the most part muted... Still, as days passed, IRRITATION IN SOME CIRCLES GREW.

''We understand why he may not have said something at the moment,'' said Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League. ''He has earned our patience.'' But a continuing ''SIN OF SILENCE'' is hard to take,

So WHY IS IT that the Vatican does not speak out FORCEFULLY, and in real time?

6 SIX total complaints!

sounds like a litany of complaints and disappointed expectations to me-
an anyone who has an ounce of intelligence

i find it a bit over the top and obnoxious to accuse the pople of a "sin of silence"

the REAL question is this-

WHY IS AN ARTICLE FROM MAY OF 2001 BEING REPRINTED TODAY?

talk about trying to shove inflammatory emotional issues in peoples faces

its a 6 1/2 year old article
of what possible relevance does it have today, except to remind jewish people of an old "perceived slight"?

in all of your arguments- youve neglected to mention that the israelis made no secret about their agenda, and their disappointment at NOT being able to manipulate the pope to "their side".

it is like little children who see their nemesis getting some recognition they tink should be theirs

the israelis saw the enormous sympathy of the pope to the syrians, and his visit to a mosque-
and started screaming, "what about us? pope! you didnt take our side on the city of jerulsalem! (or any side)
you didnt apologize to our satisfaction for the holocaust!
and youre visiting a MOSQUE!!!!!

how dare the pope embark on interfaith peace!

and then go on to accuse the pope of the "sin of silence" when they dont get their way??

and reprinting and screaming about it EVEN TODAY?

how childish

all you seem to have proven here is the patience and forebearance of the pope when dealing with childish behavior

how did you manage to post an article at this time- December 27, 2007 5:54 PM

when the article says it was posted at this time?
December 28, 2007 8:53 AM

i dont know much about how newspapers go to the net

and why do you find it necessary to insult peoples command of english?

that is downright silly-

any who disagreeshould be insulted with adhominems?


all youve really accomplished here michael is to draw out some whiny behavior of the israelis 6 years ago-
and theyre still whining 6 years later?

do you think this 6 year old complaint really bears being discussed?

is it a repsonse to somene criticizing the israelis for bombing syria unprovoked on sept 6th?

what is its relevance?

"the implication is the pope is somehow dutiful to the desires of assad-"

I think I understand what you're trying to say despite the broken English. If so, that implication is in your mind only. I implied no such thing. My comment was about Assad, not about the Pope.

"the reason the pope was there was to make a pligrimage. not to be an audience to assads politics"

Exactly right. The Pope was there to make a pilgrimage and Assad was trying to get him involved in his agenda, which was to spread hatred of the Jews.

"assad making an anti-semitic remark isnt a stated intention, or even implied intention to manipulate the pope- to "get him to make an anti-semitic remark"

Of course it is. Assad's crass reference to "those who betrayed Christ" draws on two millenia of Christian antisemitism, persecution and massacres of Jews, much of which has been led or condoned in the past by the Vatican. Assad is not a Christian, and his use of Christian antisemitic rhetoric had only one meaning, namely to say to the Pope: You and I have the same enemy. Again, if you see any other reason why he said it, let's hear what that reason is.

"and the article you posted- was an editorial complaining that they could find no fault with the popes committment to interfaith-"

The article was complaining of no such thing and the more you comment on this issue the more you demonstrate your inability to understand a simple text.

"Too bad Mr. Moubayed does not mention the reason Pope John Paul was in the border town of Qunaitra to begin with. Throughout the pope's visit, Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad was trying unsuccessfully to get him to make an anti-Israel statement."

the implication is the pope is somehow dutiful to the desires of assad-

to quote your own article-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The pope, who feels he has the moral authority to transcend local political agendas, stuck to his message, UNFAZED by manipulative moments and ungracious statements on BOTH sides."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

your own article actually supports my contention-
that the pope was beyond manipulation, and self determined.
the reason the pope was there was to make a pligrimage.
not to be an audience to assads politics
and both sides were guilty of this-

assad making an anti-semitic remark isnt a stated intention, or even implied intention to manipulate the pope- to "get him to make an anti-semitic remark"

so, thats it.

you cannot infer from that article and statement that assad intended to get the pope to do something.

and the article you posted- was an editorial complaining that they could find no fault with the popes committment to interfaith-

but the pope didnt satisfy them by apologizing for the holocaust.

its an article about expectations (to take sides)that were disappointed.

i dont like to see unwarranted slurs against the pope-

so stand by your slanted prejudices-

but the article was a good education, if im not mistaken, isnt one of the first established churches that still exists in syria?

a powerful and remarkable tribute to the devotion and tenacity of a people who have a continuing tradition of christianity at its inception

im from pittsbugh, which many syrians settled in the beginning of the 20th century-

i like them- and i learned alot from the syrian enclave there-

i especially like politcs and its always best to let people define themself

as an american- im hesitant to
comment on the cultures i havent personally experienced myself

so, even if your points were valid- they were onesided and prejudiced
they were simply, ill intentioned and negative
adding nothing of substance, but trying to inflame and defame

a pointless endeavor convincing only others who share your biases that its ok to be biased
its not ok

it was a good article

Syrian Christian from Damascus

Thank you very much for posting directly from Syria with your broken english to show the truth to us Americans. Many Americans just believe anything anyone writes in a formal newspaper. The truth always shows up somehow, somewhere.

Keep reading and posting more--I would love to read more comments from you. Keep spreading the truth.

Merry Christmas my friend.

Victoria:

I do not make statements I cannot stand by. Proving that you have serious comprehension problems is a cinch:

1. The antisemitic quote by Assad is not unsubstantiated. It appeared in the NY Times article and that's the substantiation. As to it's being inflammatory - no argument there.

2. You don't need any telepathic ability or any direct communications with Assad to understand the meaning of what he said. It was a simple and straightforward antisemitic statement, instantly understood by anyone who knows anything about the history of antisemitism. If you prefer to claim ignorance on that point, rather than comprehension problems, be my guest. If, on the other hand, you have a different interpretation of what Assad said, I'd be curious to know what it is.

3. The article I provided most definitely supported what I said, and if that's not enough for you, here is another article reporting the same with greater detail:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE7D9163BF93BA35756C0A9679C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all

4. I said nothing about the Pope's intentions, only about Assad's. So your statement that "I misrepresented the Pope's intentions" is yet another example of the difficulties you have understanding what you read.

MICHAEL O-

your statement-
"If you truly believe Assad "intended nothing" when he talked to the Pope about "those 'who try to kill the principles of all religions with the same mentality with which they betrayed Jesus Christ.'' Then you have some serious comprehension problems."

what i believe, and said michael was this-

neither you, nor the editor at the times posess the requsite telepathic ability to gauge what the "intentions" of assad MAY have been-

i powerfully doubt that you had any access to commincation with assad to be able to state what his intentions were or are.

it is your conjecture, opinion.

also, the article that you provided did not support your contention either.

and while you
1) misrepresented the popes intentions 9which you also cannot possibly know)
2)made negative conjecture o assads intention

i disporved the first, with an article that the pope himself stated his won intentions

the second is not provable, as you cannot prove a negative-
but it is only your opinion- exacerbated with unsubstantiate, inflammatory "quotes"
such as-
"'who try to kill the principles of all religions with the same mentality with which they betrayed Jesus Christ.''

the fact that you end your opinion with ANOTHER opinion about my comprehension abilities, is just- well- silly and childish.

Sami Moubayed makes a good point that Christianity began in this part of the world and to the extent that Christianity thrives in his country this is not a sign that Syria is being Westernized.

AMViennaVA makes a similar point and has it right on the money. The life of Christians in the Middle East was of course much better before the arrival of the crusading colonials and imperialist Israelis. Of course the support that the US government gives to the Zionist invader does nothing for our national image in the region either. It makes one wonder why we so foolishly give the Zionist our support. Here is one theory:

PRO-ISRAEL FORCES WANT TO RE-OPEN A PIPELINE FROM IRAQ TO HAIFA, ISRAEL

The fact that American-Israelis in our government are endeavoring to use the war on Iraq as a way for Israel to gain control over oil in the Middle East is rarely reported in the mainstream pro-Israel US media with your average American readership, however it has been reported in Jewish newspapers with Jewish readership and in Israeli papers.

A case in point is the fact that American-Israelis in our government want to "re-open" or re-instate, the pipeline that used to exist between Iraq and Palestine, which is now specifically Haifa, Israel. When Israel was created in 1948, that pipeline was re-directed by Iraq to Syria. Now pro-Israel forces are actively seeking to cut off the pipeline to Syria and re-direct it to Haifa, Israel. For more information on this, please do a Google-search using such keywords such as "Iraq oil pipeline to Haifa, Israel" and see what you come up with.

Just as Israel's connection to the war on Iraq has been kept out of the US mainstream media (as you may have noticed, Israel has not even been mentioned as one of our "allies" in the war on Iraq), this choice nugget of information with regards to Israel's ambition to get a basically free supply of Iraqi oil is also kept out of view for vast American public consumption.

Perhaps Mr. Moubayed plays down or understates elements of underlying tension in relations between Syria's Christian minority and other sectors of Syrian society. But he does acknowledge common interests among Syrians of different faiths in confronting religious extremism. Having visited or sojourned in Syria on and off for over 30 years, I confirm Mr. Moubayed's main point: Christians are part of Syria's social fabric, who play important roles in society. Last summer, listening to the bells of Damascus's Franciscan church peal loudly over the rooftops of a predominantly Muslim neighborhood, I was reminded that Syria is one of few countries in the region where Christian minorities can feel comfortable and secure as Christians. Syrian Christian political prisoners are detained or arrested for the same reasons as their Muslim counterparts, so these detentions are issues of individual human rights not issues of religious community rights or security.

Perhaps Mr. Moubayed plays down or understates elements of underlying tension in relations between Syria's Christian minority and other sectors of Syrian society. But he does acknowledge common interests between Syrians of different faiths in confronting the ever-present threat of religious extremism. Having visited Syria on and off for over 30 years, I confirm Mr. Moubayed's main point: Christians are part of Syria's social fabric, who play important roles in society. Last summer while walking in Damascus past the Franciscan church whose bells pealed loudly over the rooftops of its predominantly Muslim neighborhood, I felt grateful that Syria was one of the few countries in the region where Christian minorities can feel comfortable and secure as Christians. Christian political prisoners are detained or arrested for the same reasons as their Muslim counterparts, so these detentions are issues of human rights rather than issues of religious community rights.

Dave:

You seem to have no shortage of time either. May peace be with you as well, may you have a Happy and Healthy New Year, and may your knowledge of Syria increase sevenfold.

Michael O.: You sure have a lot of time on your hands. May peace be with you during this holiday season.

Sami - Good article. I've always been fascinated by the middle east, especially Syria. Many Americans (including myself) don't know much about other countries and/or their history. Thank you for providing some insight into the history of Syria specifically the relationship with Christians.

Thanks for the article Sami. The older I get the more I've come to realize how insulated we Americans truly are. I appreiciate your article immensely, and have always been fascinated with Syria. Your article has provided me with new insights and a deeper respect for a country I don't know much about.

Victoria:

If you truly believe Assad "intended nothing" when he talked to the Pope about "those 'who try to kill the principles of all religions with the same mentality with which they betrayed Jesus Christ.'' Then you have some serious comprehension problems. He intended exactly what the article's headline says.

The political correctness squad at the Washington Post seems to have gone all out in an effort to paint a picture of tolerance towards the Christian minorities in the Middle East, between Moubayed's listing of important Syrian Christians and Lamis Andoni's feel-good accounts of neighborly relationships between Christians and Muslims.

But all these heart-warming stories are nothing more than anecdotal evidence. The hard facts are that Christian populations across the Middle East (except in Israel) have been dwindling, and the reason is the growing intolerance towards all non-Muslims, a by-product of the expansion of the Islamic movement. Even excluding longstanding phenomena, such as the institutionalized discrimination against the largest Christian population in the Arab world, the one in Egypt, or the Inquisition-like persecution of Christian worshippers in Saudi Arabia, these recent trends are well-documented and easy to see. Christians are leaving the Middle East in droves, and many of those who stay would have liked to leave if they could.

Lindy returns....Dateline 1942
Lindy just heard from old Jewish friend that what we hear about old Adolf is just plain rot...And here's the report:

"An interesting set of posts, unfortunately based on the 'facts' reported in the press (of both British imperialists and Stalinists). Let me clarify: I am (Jewish), born and raised in (Christian Europe) It is no accident that (Jewish) communities flourished for thousands of years in countries such as (Spain, Poland, and Russia). As a matter of fact, it is no accident that the condition of (Jews) there worsened after the arrival of (Communists). The same can be said of the (Jews) in the Holy (Roman Empire)(aka 3rd reich), whose numbers have been greatly reduced following the (Allies declaration of war)."

An interesting set of posts, unfortunately based on the 'facts' reported in our press. Let me clarify: I am Christian, born and raised in Muslim countries. It is no accident that Christian communities flourished for thousands of years in countries such as Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. As a matter of fact, it is no accident that the condition of Christians there worsened after the arrival of the colonials. The same can be said of the Christians in the Holy Lands, whose numbers have been greatly reduced following the occupation by Israel.

Victoria - it's clear you have a reading disability. It's a shame especially on Christmas...The accusation is not against the Pope except that he or the Vatican diplomatic offices should have disavowed getting "blood libel" and "Christ-killer" into Middle East policy. The problem is that Syria uses its Christian minority as Assad does all its constituent groups - Sunnis,Kurds, Druze, non Alawite Shia - manipulating as pawns so that none can challenge Baathist rule.

michael o- that article doesnt support what you said at all- its a 2007 reprint of a 2001 article-
and compalins thaT THE POPE did not TAKE SIDES, but sided with peaceful neutrality.

it makes no suggestion at all that assad intended anything

hate and bias buidling on hate and bias-

it is a shame, especially on christmas

Dear Sami,
Merry Christmas from America, where my grandfather and great grandfather emmigrated to in 1910 and 1895 respectively from Damascus. The misperception in my country of Syria has been a constant and inveterate frustration for me through the years so I am always heartened to see you and others edify your readers, and am glad you refered to Christmas as a national holiday in Syria. I too have referred to this in various outlets including my own blog davidshagoury.typepad.com -
I have summised (without the benefit of statistics) that during that era, which was before the French divided Syria by creating Lebanon ( my grandmother was born in the SYRIAN city of Tripoli ), and before they ceded Hatay to Attaturk, that Christians represented about a third of Syrians. I am interested to know if you have any stats or more hard knowledge on what the real breakdown was? Your knowledge on the subject would be appreciated. Thank you again for all of your efforts to edify.
Sincerely,
David

Why are there no Syrian Jews who have rose to prominence in Syria?

Why doesn't Syria celebrate her Jews as well as her Christians, after all the Jews have been in Syria longer than Islam or Christianity?

What is wrong with this Christmas picture of brotherhood Sami paints?

Dr. Moubayed:

Are you forgetting when you are listing the good Christians in Syria, the good intellectual, educated, liberal Christians who are presently in the Syrian Jail in this Christmas? like Michel Kilo, Anwar Buni, Akram Buni and others????

Why are these Christian are in Jail? it is nice to say that Christian are celebrating freely Christmas in Syria, I wish you go and visit the prisoner's family in this Christmas in their modest homes, , they don’t have a Christmas tree, neither a Christmas meal. they are a good patriot to Syria, they are a fighters for the Human rights and Democracy and they are celeberating Christmas in prison leaving behind them children and family living below the poverty level.

Dr. Moubayed:

Are you forgetting when you are listing the good Christians in Syria, the good intellectual, educated, liberal Christians who are presently in the Syrian Jail in this Christmas? like Michel Kilo, Anwar Buni, Akram Buni and others????

Why are these Christian are in Jail? it is nice to say that Christian are celebrating freely Christmas in Syria, I wish you go and visit the prisoner's family in this Christmas in their modest homes, , they don’t have a Christmas tree, neither a Christmas meal. they are a good patriot to Syria, they are a fighters for the Human rights and Democracy and they are celeberating Christmas in prison leaving behind them children and family living below the poverty level.

Tribute to Dr. Sami Moubayed
The interest and explain the role of all communities in industry history Syria
For these distinctive profile on the role of Christians in the construction history of Syria
Best regards
Rajaa Hayder

Victoria:

I was speaking strictly from memory, but since I was intrigued by your comment I went searching for that article as well, and it took me all of 5 seconds to find it. here it is:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D01E7DF1F3BF930A25756C0A9679C8B63&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/C/Clinton,%20Hillary%20Rodham

I guess when you don't wish to find something you really can't find it.

God bless you Sami Moubayed.

I am proud indeed to "read you" in the Washington Post. Keep on!

www.TimeShex.com

I just read two comments.Both were angry over the celebration of Christmas by the Syrians. I think the crooks behave like the same way. Festivities are human innovations. Nothing to do with religion. Let the jews and christians also to join in the festivals of the Muslims. But there is no logic in inviting them, because they usually participate in our festivals.
Most probably, these two gentlemen hate to celebrate Christmas on account of their long age or celebration of Christmas may be against their convictions. Be happy gentlemen. The article is about the contribution of the Christians in Syria,nothing to do with Golan Heights or ME situation. On Chritmas day, pl talk "Chritmas".
Christmas Greetings to all Christians from me.

wow- i am really floored by your article-

it is ludicrous to suggest that the syrian president was controlling the actions of the pope-
or for a ny times editors opinion to be a substitute for the facts-

i searched several times and could find no evidence of this op-ed piece- not that it matters

the more off the wall the reference- the more the need to validate it-

http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/010402/2001040212.html

" The Popes' visit is a religious one and not a political visit " it will only deal with the Pope's stances towards just peace and the need to achieve it in the region. "

He added that the Pope will come to Syria as a PILGRMAGE to follow the step of Saint Paul, the prophet, the Jew who embraced Christianity on his way to Damascus and he ( Saint Paul) was considered the disseminator of Christianity in the world through the tours he held to Asia Minor, Macedonia and Greece. The Pope's visit to Damascus will PROVE that Syria is a holy land and that its was the cradle of Christianity.

Patriarch Batteikha added that the Pope's visit to Syria will be characterized by the meeting at the Greek- Orthodox patriarch and the large mass he will hold in Damascus, meeting with the Christian men of religion at the Patriarchy of the Assyrian- Orthodox, visiting the Ummayad's mosque and the tomb of Saint John Paul the Baptist, where he will meet with Muslim men of religion, seeking to bring together Christianity and Islam.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

this was a pretty impressive article overall-
i learned some things

Tribute to Dr. Sami Moubayed
The interest and explain the role of all communities in industry history Syria
For these distinctive profile on the role of Christians in the construction history of Syria
Best regards
Rajaa Hayder

These are the values my generation was raised with. and the same values I raised my 2 sons.
Al Deen Lillah , Wal Watan Lil Jameea'.
God bless you Sami,
I will pass this to all my friends all over the world, Christians and muslems.
Ayham Omary

These are the values my generation was raised with. and the same values I raised my 2 sons.
Al Deen Lillah , Wal Watan Lil Jameea'.
God bless you Sami,
I will pass this, after your permission, to all my friends all over the world, Christians and muslems.
Ayham Omary

Too bad Mr. Moubayed does not mention the reason Pope John Paul was in the border town of Qunaitra to begin with. Throughout the pope's visit, Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad was trying unsuccessfully to get him to make an anti-Israel statement. The visit to Qunaitra, to view the devastation of the town following two wars (both started by Syria), was part of that effort.

Or, to quote the headline of a NY Times op-ed article about the visit: "Welcome, man of peace. Let's go hate my enemy together".

All this chest-thumping about "tolerance" and "religious freedom" in Syria, condemnation of Israel and the West is getting a bit old. If you want to celebrate Christmas, celebrate it. Don't turn everything into some East vs West thing. The Arabs like yourself, living in a third-world dictatorship, would significantly benefit from a dose of self-criticism and taking that chip off your shoulder.