The Umayyad Mosque and Political Symbolism in New Syria

Beneath the golden domes of the Umayyad Mosque, where the breath of history intertwines with political whispers, a subtle battle over Syria's new identity unfolds. What was once merely an archaeological landmark witnessing the succession of civilizations has now become a platform for identity conflict and legitimacy-building in a country exhausted by war.

From the pulpit of this ancient mosque, where caliphs and princes stood throughout centuries, victory speeches by the new leadership were recently delivered—a scene encapsulating a fundamental transformation in this religious edifice's role. It has transitioned from a place of worship to a theater of symbolic struggle, from a house of God to a political platform.

Invoking Past Glories

Today, Syria searches for its identity in the symbols of its past, evoking the glories of the Umayyad state with all its connotations. Damascus, which was the capital of the first Islamic state that inherited empires, now reclaims its role in the new political imagination—not merely as one city among others, but as the beating heart of a civilizational project embracing Al-Andalus with its golden memories of interfaith coexistence and scientific flourishing.

Battles on Historic Walls

In the mosque's hidden corners, where the Christian baptismal font guards its secrets and Greek inscriptions whisper tales of successive civilizations, another battle rages—a battle against sectarian narratives that sought to transform the mosque into an arena for denominational conflict. Its walls witnessed what some describe as symbolic "desecration attempts" through unfamiliar rituals and added symbols that sought to erase its historical character.

The Return of John of Damascus

In this complex scene, the name of John of Damascus, the Christian minister in the courts of Umayyad caliphs, emerges as a symbol of the coexistence that the new Syria seeks to restore. He represents a living example that Syrian identity has always been capable of embracing diversity, and that competence was a criterion higher than sectarian affiliation.

Liberation or Restoration?

The moment of liberation on December 8, 2024, as some call it, marked a turning point in the mosque's history. It wasn't merely about reclaiming space, but about restoring identity. Syrians discovered corners of their mosque that had long been forbidden to them, like the "Hall of Honor" once reserved for elites. The restoration and reconstruction process became not just about repairing stones, but about healing the collective spirit.

Future Challenges

Yet the path ahead for the new Syria is fraught with challenges. Invoking the past risks selective interpretation and could transform from a unifying identity into a reversed sectarianism. Moreover, reconciling the historical model with the requirements of a modern state represents a genuine test for the new leadership.

Between Past and Future

Today, the Umayyad Mosque stands as a bridge between Syria's past, present, and future. In its stones lie the secrets of religious coexistence, and in its domes shine the ambitions of a nation seeking its identity. It is not merely a building, but a vessel of collective memory and a workshop for crafting the future.

Can Syria draw lessons from the past without remaining captive to it? Can symbolism be transformed from a tool of conflict into a bridge for reconciliation? The answer lies in the ability to turn the stones of history into building blocks for a future that accommodates everyone.

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This article is edited from an in-depth academic study by Mohamed Hamdan on the transformations of political symbolism of the Umayyad Mosque in contemporary Syria.