Syrians gathered at Damascus' historic Umayyad Mosque for Friday prayers, marking a pivotal moment following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Caretaker Prime Minister Mohamed al-Bashir called for unity and mercy during his sermon.
In a symbolic display of solidarity, worshippers filled the courtyard of the iconic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on December 13, holding flags adopted by Syria's new ruling body. The first Friday prayers since Islamist-led rebels took control of the capital drew large crowds, with many expressing a mix of relief and hope.
Mohamed al-Bashir, recently appointed caretaker prime minister, addressed the congregation from the mosque's pulpit. His sermon emphasised rebuilding Syria as a nation of dignity and compassion.
“Victory and liberation are not just about breaking chains or raising flags. It is the birth of a nation and the restoration of dignity,” he declared, calling for Syria to become a "symbol of freedom and mercy."
The political shift came after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), leading a rebel alliance, ousted al-Assad on December 8. Al-Bashir, previously the head of HTS' Idlib administration, now oversees the transitional government in Damascus.
Local residents shared their emotions about the historic moment. Yaser Nasab, a Damascus resident, expressed gratitude for the mosque’s preservation during years of conflict. “It’s very good to be here. Thanks to God, it has been protected,” he said.
Another resident, Rateb al Qary, described the event as transformative. "It feels as if I have been reborn. The past years have been harsh; we were suffocating," he said.
For many, the gathering at the Umayyad Mosque symbolised not just a moment of faith, but a hopeful beginning for a nation seeking unity and peace
One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a new attack Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, Saudi ...
The 25th World Petroleum Council (WPC) Energy Congress began in Riyadh on Sunday (11 October), running from 11 to 15 October under the theme &ldquo...
The Kremlin on Monday rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to...
The explosion at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday afternoon killed at least 12 people and injured a further 309, according to Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority. The airport remains closed until further notice.
One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a new attack Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities reported, a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Houthis that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
Yemen's Houthis renewed warning to airlines, airport workers, and travellers against using Saudi airports, saying the warning should be taken seriously and that the kingdom “bore responsibility for failed interceptions”, a day after an attack on Riyadh's international airport that killed 12 people.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
Ukraine is ready to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow also halts strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to allow his country to hold presidential elections, saying it wanted an overall peace deal instead.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 12 October 2026 with the top five natural disasters happening around the world.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Ukraine is ready to respect the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, but only if Russia does the same, saying Moscow has already violated the agreement.
China has announced sanctions against Belize’s foreign minister and Paraguay’s communications minister over their countries’ diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The move comes as Beijing continues to pressure the few remaining nations that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taipei.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment