Males dance out of doors the Ummayad Mosque in Damascus, Syria, on Friday.
Claire Harbage/NPR
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Claire Harbage/NPR
DAMASCUS, Syria — Jubilant Syrians crowded the streets and mosques at Friday prayers these days to mark the downfall of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. At the Telegram messaging app, riot chief Abu Mohammed al-Golani inspired Syrians to visit the streets and specific their pleasure. “I name them to get down to precise their happiness with out taking pictures bullets and terrifying other folks, and after that permit’s direct to construct this nation and as we mentioned from the start, it is victorious with lend a hand from God,” he mentioned in a video message. Within the capital Damascus, other folks stood shoulder to shoulder at considered one of Syria’s maximum holy websites, the al-Umayyad Mosque.
Other folks driven previous each and every different, jostling for area, all seeking to make their solution to the mosque’s courtyard and it was once so packed, maximum did not make it within. Youngsters ran round waving the brand new Syrian flag, the temper like a competition.
Other folks collect within the Ummayad Mosque courtyard on Friday.
Claire Harbage/NPR
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Claire Harbage/NPR
This was once the primary time Syrians carried out Friday prayers within the Umayyad Mosque since opposition forces stormed the capital and overthrew Assad lower than per week in the past. The traditional mosque is adjoining to the tomb of the twelfth century Muslim hero Saladin, and a few imagine the pinnacle of John the Baptist is buried throughout the mosque. Its marble courtyard could also be the place Assad’s safety forces brutally clamped down on anti-government protests through the years.
A soldier with a flower in his gun on the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on Friday.
Claire Harbage/NPR
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The sound of the sermon was once faint out of doors, however the message was once transparent: The imam requested God to punish the boastful and the unjust and to punish Assad and his cronies. The congregation answered with calls of “God is Nice.” After the prayer, other folks took selfies within the mosque with their households and hugged each and every different.
A kid holds the brand new Syrian flag on the Umayyad Mosque on Friday.
Claire Harbage/NPR
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Claire Harbage/NPR
Some got here for the primary time. Like very best buddies, 21-year previous Mareya Keftaro and 20-year previous Bayan Habash. Laughing, they spoke over each and every different. “Our land has returned to us,” Habash says. “I think find it irresistible’s MY nation now.”
Mohamed Yaser thanked God for this newfound blessing and mentioned he is been looking forward to this second for all of his 70 years. A second when he felt secure sufficient to wish right here.
Other folks collect on Friday on the Umayyad Mosque on Friday.
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“The roads to the mosque had been stuffed with intelligence and safety,” Yaser mentioned. “I by no means sought after to possibility it.” Khadija Hattab, 40, mentioned she regarded as at the present time like a “nationwide marriage ceremony.” “The sensation now we have these days is indescribable,” she says. “I will’t put the happiness I think into phrases.” And what did Hattab pray for these days? She we could out a deep sigh. “That God will stay Syria a contented, secure and filthy rich position,” she mentioned.
