But
clerics in the ancient Christian town of Maaloula continue ringing
their church bells despite the ongoing fighting, blasts and the
abduction of nuns.
This
is actually the only reminder of the once quiet life in the small town.
The Islamists, - the Jabhat al-Nusra movement fighters, again occupied
the town early this month. They broke their pledge not to harm anyone or
damage the town's sacred sites and took 12 nuns prisoner. The nuns have
since been held in the neighbouring town of Yabroud.
It is now clear that the promised respect for the holy Christian places
was a lie. Lebanon's Al Akhbar newspaper reported several days ago that
several early Christian crosses, holy vessels and statues from Maaloula
have been put up for sale on the Internet. The mediators acting on
behalf of An-Nusra and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant are
looking for rich customers. Syrian relics have been stolen for more than
two years now, with major museums across the world having already drawn
up the "red list" of Syrian artifacts that may "accidentally" surface
on the market. According to Sheila Canby, the Head of the New York-based
Metropolitan Museum's Department of Islamic Art, the artifacts that can
be taken out of Syria are running into danger, namely such small things
as vessels and paraments, above all the enamel and glass works.
UNESCO,
too, is perfectly aware of the ravaging of Maaloula, as well as Syria's
ancient oasis city of Palmyra and dozens of museums in Syrian cities.
In September, the UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, met the UN
special envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, to take up the issue. Bokova
said the world must react today to save the Syrian heritage, since
tomorrow may be too late. According to her, UNESCO does not need to
decide whether it should deal with the humanitarian crisis and protect
the Syrian heritage or not. The protection of historical heritage is
part of the solution for the humanitarian disaster in Syria.
But
while UN high-ranking officials and culture ministers have been
discussing Syria's alarming situation, invaluable icons, ancient statues
and crosses continue to be taken out of Maaloula. Islamic militants go
on shelling the Convent of St. Thekla and the Monastery of Saints
Sergius and Bacchus. It is not possible to estimate the damage done to
Syria's historical heritage before the guns fall silent.
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