Syrian Arab RePublic

The Syrian Arab Republic is located in southwestern Asia (the Middle East) and surrounded by Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel/Palestine, and the Mediterranean Sea. In ancient and medieval times, the name Syria or its equivalents al-Sham or Bilad al-Sham were used to encompass a larger area that included Palestine and some parts of the present neighboring countries. The Syrian region has important historical value for both Christianity and Islam. Saint Paul, according to the Acts of the Apostles, converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus. In spite of Muslim political domination beginning from the mid-seventh century, as early as the time of the Caliph Umar, Christians have constituted a major population in the region. Damascus, which was conquered in 635 CE by Muslims and is ...