Publish: 21:56, 13 Dec, 2024

First Friday prayers since Assad’s fall: Thousands of Syrians celebrate in central Damascus

Online Desk
First Friday prayers since Assad’s fall: Thousands of Syrians celebrate in central Damascus
Photo - Collected

Thousands of Syrians gathered Friday in Damascus’ historic main mosque for the first Friday prayers since the downfall of former President Bashar Assad, while giant crowds celebrated in the capital’s largest square, reports AP.

The gatherings were a major symbolic moment for the dramatic change of power in Syria, nearly a week after insurgents swept into Damascus, ousting the Assad-led state that had ruled the country for a half century with an iron grip. It came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with allies around the region looking to shape the transition, calling for an “inclusive and non-sectarian” interim government.

After talks in Jordan and Turkey — which backs some of the insurgent factions — Blinken arrived in Iraq on a previously unannounced stop. So far, U.S. officials have not talked of direct meetings with Syria’s new rulers.

The main insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has been working to establish security and start a political transition after seizing the capital early Sunday. At the same time, they have tried to reassure a public that is both stunned by Assad’s fall and concerned over extremist jihadis among the rebel ranks. The insurgents’ leadership says it has broken with its extremist past, though HTS is still labeled a terrorist group by the United States and European countries.

The group’s leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, appeared in a video message Friday congratulating “the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.”

“I invite them to head to the squares to show their happiness without shooting bullets and scaring people,” he said. “And then after we will work to build this country and as I said in the beginning, we will be victorious by the help of God.”

Huge crowds, including some insurgent fighters, packed Damascus’ historic Umayyad Mosque in the capital’s old city for Friday prayers, many of them waving the rebel opposition flag — with its three red stars — which has swiftly replaced the Assad-era flag with with its two green stars. According to Arab TV stations, the Friday sermon was delivered by Mohammed al-Bashir, the interim prime minister installed by HTS this week.

The scene resonated on multiple levels. The mosque, one of the world’s oldest dating back some 1,200 years, is a beloved symbol of Syria, and sermons there like all mosque sermons across Syria had been tightly controlled under Assad’s rule. Also, in the early days of the anti-government uprising in 2011, protesters would often emerge from Friday prayers to march in rallies against Assad — before he launched a brutal crackdown that turned the uprising into a long and bloody civil war.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan

More News
When the US had 2 presidents, 2 flags
When the US had 2 presidents, 2 flags
Italy, Albania and UAE ink clean energy cooperation deal
Italy, Albania and UAE ink clean energy cooperation deal
Emma Reynolds replaces Tulip as UK City Minister
Emma Reynolds replaces Tulip as UK City Minister
Norway, UK slam imminent Israeli ban on UNRWA
Norway, UK slam imminent Israeli ban on UNRWA
60 dead at illegal S.African mine: Police
60 dead at illegal S.African mine: Police
Suspected outbreak of Marburg disease kills 8 in Tanzania: WHO
Suspected outbreak of Marburg disease kills 8 in Tanzania: WHO
Israel kills female Palestinian journalist
Israel kills female Palestinian journalist
Thailand to overhaul surrogacy law for inclusivity, transparency
Thailand to overhaul surrogacy law for inclusivity, transparency
Australia's PM demands Russia explain what happened to Australian POW
Australia's PM demands Russia explain what happened to Australian POW
US, Thailand sign civil nuclear cooperation agreement
US, Thailand sign civil nuclear cooperation agreement
US House passes bill banning transgender students from women's sports
US House passes bill banning transgender students from women's sports
Cuba to free 553 prisoners after removal from US terror list
Cuba to free 553 prisoners after removal from US terror list
Latest News
Cabrera reappointed as national team head coach for one year
Cabrera reappointed as national team head coach for one year
2 hours ago | Sports
When the US had 2 presidents, 2 flags
When the US had 2 presidents, 2 flags
3 hours ago | International
Commission proposes 4-year bicameral parliament, 2-term PM limit
Commission proposes 4-year bicameral parliament, 2-term PM limit
3 hours ago | National
Govt to facilitate business, won’t engage in it: BIDA
Govt to facilitate business, won’t engage in it: BIDA
3 hours ago | Business
Land ministry’s updated server launched
Land ministry’s updated server launched
4 hours ago | National
Govt introduces market based interest rate for savings certificate
Govt introduces market based interest rate for savings certificate
4 hours ago | Business
Italy, Albania and UAE ink clean energy cooperation deal
Italy, Albania and UAE ink clean energy cooperation deal
4 hours ago | International
July mass killing trial could be completed before election
July mass killing trial could be completed before election
4 hours ago | National
Dhaka to urge Beijing for lower interest rates, extended repayment period
Dhaka to urge Beijing for lower interest rates, extended repayment period
5 hours ago | National
Report on cases against Hasina, Joy over plot scam on April 15
Report on cases against Hasina, Joy over plot scam on April 15
5 hours ago | National
Matiur's wife Laila Kaniz sent to jail
Matiur's wife Laila Kaniz sent to jail
6 hours ago | National
Talks likely with political parties over reforms in Feb: Rizwana
Talks likely with political parties over reforms in Feb: Rizwana
6 hours ago | National
Big syndicate involved in vehicle fraud: DMP
Big syndicate involved in vehicle fraud: DMP
6 hours ago | City
47 recommendations to free ACC from political, bureaucratic influence
47 recommendations to free ACC from political, bureaucratic influence
6 hours ago | National
Bangladesh needs global support for climate adaptation: France
Bangladesh needs global support for climate adaptation: France
6 hours ago | National
DMP files 2,085 cases for traffic rules violation
DMP files 2,085 cases for traffic rules violation
7 hours ago | City
RRP Agro Farms looking for Senior Technician
RRP Agro Farms looking for Senior Technician
7 hours ago | Business
Another cold wave approaches
Another cold wave approaches
7 hours ago | National
Trade in the hands of Bipu- Bobby 's friends and associates
Trade in the hands of Bipu- Bobby 's friends and associates
7 hours ago | Business
Malaysian High Commissioner pays courtesy call on Jamaat Ameer
Malaysian High Commissioner pays courtesy call on Jamaat Ameer
8 hours ago | National
Emma Reynolds replaces Tulip as UK City Minister
Emma Reynolds replaces Tulip as UK City Minister
8 hours ago | International
Norway, UK slam imminent Israeli ban on UNRWA
Norway, UK slam imminent Israeli ban on UNRWA
8 hours ago | International
Reform reports to shape new Bangladesh framework & charter
Reform reports to shape new Bangladesh framework & charter
9 hours ago | National
Govt prioritises gas exploration, extraction amidst crisis
Govt prioritises gas exploration, extraction amidst crisis
9 hours ago | National
'If we cannot deliver justice, we have no right to exist'
'If we cannot deliver justice, we have no right to exist'
9 hours ago | National
Anisul, Dipu Moni, 7 others shown arrested in fresh cases
Anisul, Dipu Moni, 7 others shown arrested in fresh cases
9 hours ago | National
Election pressure mounts
Election pressure mounts
9 hours ago | Special
60 dead at illegal S.African mine: Police
60 dead at illegal S.African mine: Police
9 hours ago | International
Suspected outbreak of Marburg disease kills 8 in Tanzania: WHO
Suspected outbreak of Marburg disease kills 8 in Tanzania: WHO
9 hours ago | International
Police reforms aim to ensure neutrality, says IGP
Police reforms aim to ensure neutrality, says IGP
9 hours ago | National
Most Read
Shakib Khan's ‘Dorod’ to release on iScreen
Shakib Khan's ‘Dorod’ to release on iScreen
12 hours ago | Entertainment
Cuba to free 553 prisoners after removal from US terror list
Cuba to free 553 prisoners after removal from US terror list
14 hours ago | International
Foreign investors allege investment hurdles in Bangladesh
Foreign investors allege investment hurdles in Bangladesh
14 hours ago | Business
Taskin makes it to Wisden's ODI team of the Year
Taskin makes it to Wisden's ODI team of the Year
11 hours ago | Sports
Former NBR official Matiur, wife arrested
Former NBR official Matiur, wife arrested
15 hours ago | National
Reform reports to shape new Bangladesh framework & charter
Reform reports to shape new Bangladesh framework & charter
8 hours ago | National
FBI reveals Joy’s lavish lifestyle in US
FBI reveals Joy’s lavish lifestyle in US
13 hours ago | National
Armanitola Govt High School spreads light for 120 years
Armanitola Govt High School spreads light for 120 years
12 hours ago | Special
Met office forecasts dry weather mainly over country
Met office forecasts dry weather mainly over country
11 hours ago | National
Ranbir Kapoor preps for ‘Dhoom 4’ with major transformation
Ranbir Kapoor preps for ‘Dhoom 4’ with major transformation
14 hours ago | Entertainment
US, Thailand sign civil nuclear cooperation agreement
US, Thailand sign civil nuclear cooperation agreement
14 hours ago | International
Trade in the hands of Bipu- Bobby 's friends and associates
Trade in the hands of Bipu- Bobby 's friends and associates
7 hours ago | Business
47 recommendations to free ACC from political, bureaucratic influence
47 recommendations to free ACC from political, bureaucratic influence
6 hours ago | National
Zia Orphanage Trust Case: Khaleda, Tarique, all others acquitted
Zia Orphanage Trust Case: Khaleda, Tarique, all others acquitted
14 hours ago | National
100 reserved seats proposed for women
100 reserved seats proposed for women
11 hours ago | Special
US House passes bill banning transgender students from women's sports
US House passes bill banning transgender students from women's sports
14 hours ago | International
'If we cannot deliver justice, we have no right to exist'
'If we cannot deliver justice, we have no right to exist'
9 hours ago | National
"Tulip should seek forgiveness from Bangladesh’s people"
"Tulip should seek forgiveness from Bangladesh’s people"
14 hours ago | National
Jason Roy expresses regret over national team exclusion
Jason Roy expresses regret over national team exclusion
12 hours ago | Sports
Biting cold batters Panchagarh, hits poor most
Biting cold batters Panchagarh, hits poor most
12 hours ago | National
Four reform commissions submit reports to CA
Four reform commissions submit reports to CA
12 hours ago | National
Liverpool comes up short against Forest as Man City’s fallibility returns
Liverpool comes up short against Forest as Man City’s fallibility returns
14 hours ago | Sports
Indonesia to set social media age limit, following Australia’s example
Indonesia to set social media age limit, following Australia’s example
13 hours ago | Tech
US SEC sues Musk, saying he didn’t disclose Twitter ownership on time
US SEC sues Musk, saying he didn’t disclose Twitter ownership on time
12 hours ago | Tech
US, Japan, South Korea issue joint warning on North Korea cryptocurrency theft
US, Japan, South Korea issue joint warning on North Korea cryptocurrency theft
15 hours ago | International
Market not coming under control
Market not coming under control
12 hours ago | Special
Thailand to overhaul surrogacy law for inclusivity, transparency
Thailand to overhaul surrogacy law for inclusivity, transparency
12 hours ago | International
First shipment of 2,450 tonnes of rice from India arrives
First shipment of 2,450 tonnes of rice from India arrives
14 hours ago | Business
Govt plans upgrading Dhaka-Ctg highway to 10-lane, DPP by June
Govt plans upgrading Dhaka-Ctg highway to 10-lane, DPP by June
10 hours ago | National
Commission proposes 4-year bicameral parliament, 2-term PM limit
Commission proposes 4-year bicameral parliament, 2-term PM limit
3 hours ago | National