DAMASCUS, 20 March 2006 — Hundreds of Arab and foreign personalities gathered in the Syrian city of Aleppo Saturday for the opening ceremony at the start of its time as the Arab world’s capital of Islamic culture for 2006.

Yemeni, Sudanese and Palestinian ministers of culture were present for the event, including Culture Minister Riad Naasan Agha and Prime Minister Naji Otri alongside Syrian officials and Ismaeli leader Karim Agha Khan.

“It is the responsibility of all of us, as an Arab and international family, to declare at this occasion that when we meet, we raise the banner of friendship and peace that is our universal message,” said Agha. “We appeal to the world for dialogue, Christians and Muslims united to edify this culture,” he said.

“Muslims brought civilization to (Spain’s) Andalusia. They protected the Jews and recognized and guaranteed everybody’s right of expression.” Agha said earlier that Aleppo had been chosen by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) because of its role as the “main point of passage between East and West,” where cultures have met and melded in an “example of coexistence among religions, communities and races.”

Inaugural events included the rededication of the 12th-century Great Mosque, which has been under restoration for the past five years and a concert by hometown singer Sabah Fakhri, who is renowned in the Arab world.

Throughout the year, plays, films, conferences, roundtables, book salons, concerts and parades will be held to honor the city for its traditional architecture and cultural, scientific, artistic and economic activities.

Located 350 kilometers north of the Syrian capital, Aleppo is celebrated for its fortresses, gates, covered souks (markets), caravansaries, mosques, churches, Turkish baths, hospital and schools.

It is a city whose origins extend back into the mists of time, and rivals Damascus for the title of the world’s oldest, continually inhabited city.