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This sweet rug from my private collection has taken on new meaning to me, in light of the last week’s events, from Idlib to Damascus.

It has a famous couplet from the grand old Egyptian poet Ahmad Shawqi امير الشعراء, the prince of poets:

لولا دمشق لما كانت طليطلة ولا زهت ببني العباس بغدان

(If not for Damascus, there would be no Toledo, nor would Baghdad have prospered with the Abbasids.)

It has further inscriptions that say:

مدينة السلام دمشق الشام

(The city of peace, Damascus of Sham)

It is signed by the Syrian weaver محمد رضا المجيد Mohammad Reda Al Majid in the ancient city of معرة النعمان Ma’arrat Al No’man in Idlib province, famous as the birthplace of the medieval poet philosopher ابو علاء المعري Abu Ala’ Al Ma’arri (973 - 1057). (No, that was not a nom de guerre nor a pseudonym.)

It is incredibly rare for settled Arabs to weave carpets. It is far rarer to find an Arab workshop-made Syrian carpet. This is a piece of history.

As we witness live history unfolding on fast forward, please spare a thought for the beautiful country of Syria, its utterly remarkable people, their invaluable contributions to humanity across history, and all the hardships they have endured for so long. I pray for peace, prosperity and stability.

Posted on December 8, 2024.