Day: June 21, 2023

Five quakes were recorded over the past 24 hours, the National Earthquake Center (NEC) said.

The center stated in a statement the stations of the National Seismological Network recorded 5 weak earthquakes, two of which were in Turkey, whose intensity ranged between 2.3 and 2.5 magnitudes on the Richter scale, and two tremors in Iskenderun with magnitudes reaching up to 3.3.

The center added that the stations also recorded a 1.8 magnitude quake 14 km northwest of Hama.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

There can be no normal relations between two states, one of which occupies the lands of the other, Assistant Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Dr. Ayman Sousan stressed.

Sousan’s remarks came in an interview with RT TV on Tuesday on the sidelines of his participation in the 20th International Meeting on Syria in the Astana format.

The Assistant Foreign and Expatriates Minister said that restoring relations between Syria and Turkey to normal requires Turkey’s commitment to the Astana understandings, especially respect for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and acknowledging the withdrawal of its forces from Syrian territory according to a clear and specific timetable, and actually starting to implement this withdrawal.

He noted that the Astana meetings have made important achievements in terms of reducing the area of terrorism in Syria, mainly in the three de-escalation zones, adding “As for the fourth zone, there would have been a share of success had it not been for the positions of one of the guarantors, I mean Turkey.”

Sousan added “We hope that this meeting will proceed as the previous meetings have gone in order to reach the complete elimination of terrorism, and this thing is possible if the Turkish side adheres to the understandings it signed and respects the pledges that come at the forefront of the Astana statements.”

He added that the current round of the International Meeting on Syria in the Astana format is gaining additional importance because it came after the quadripartite meetings of “Syria, Russia, Iran and Turkey,” at the diplomatic, military and security levels.

“At the conclusion of the four-way meeting at the level of foreign ministers on May 10th, it was decided to instruct the deputy ministers to draw up a “road map” for the advancement of relations between Syria and Turkey, which is an achievable subject, but it has requirements, foremost of which is a clear approval by the Turkish side to withdraw from the Syrian territory according to a clear and specific timetable,” Sousan continued.

Sousan affirmed that these requirements are national constants that are not subject to bargaining and negotiation, and they include the complete and unconditional withdrawal from the Syrian territory, and this is the basic entry point for any normal relations with Turkey.

He added that the Astana format could have achieved a lot if the Turkish side adhered to the commitments and understandings that were reached and agreed upon, whether with the guarantor states in general or with the Russian side.

Sousan expressed hope that the new developments that took place recently, especially in the field of Syrian foreign relations, and before that, Syria’s return to the meetings of Arab League and its active participation in the Arab Summit in Jeddah, in addition to the efforts made by Russian and Iranian friends mainly in assuring the Turkish side that there is only one way to reform relations with Syria which is to end the occupation.

Regarding the illegal American presence in Syria and Washington’s support for separatist militias in al-Jazeera region, Sousan said “Syria has always affirmed that the Kurdish citizens are an integral part of the national fabric, and it is our duty to hold dialogue with them, but under the roof of the one unified homeland… As for the US presence and its standing behind the separatist project, it comes within the framework of the US policy to impede the consolidation of stability in Syria.”

Sousan added “We say to everyone who proceeds in this project that the US will not stay forever in Syria, and it will leave sooner or later, and you do not mean anything to it, but rather a tool in this project.”

With regard to Washington’s continued support for Daesh “ISIS” terrorist organization, Sousan stressed that the organization is an American industry and everyone knows that, and it is moving and using it at the time it wants to achieve its goals.

Regarding the issue of refugees and their return, the Assistant Foreign and Expatriates Minister affirmed that this issue is one of the most painful issues for Syria, because it has lost many of its cadres and youth as a result of this war, so many measures have been taken, including amnesty decrees and administrative measures to facilitate this return, but unfortunately there are countries that cry over refugees and impose illegitimate economic measures on Syria and continue to exploit the suffering of those refugees to serve its agendas.

In response to a question about the return of relations between Syria and the Arab countries, and whether we might witness this kind of relations with Qatar, Sousan said: “The nature of relations between any two countries is governed by circumstances and positions on certain issues, and changing positions constitutes an entry point for new relations with this or that country.”

Concerning the resumption of bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Sousan said that the rapprochement between these two countries is a very good thing for them and for the region and for this reason Syria welcomed this rapprochement.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Syrian citizens in occupied Syrian Golan staged a strike on Wednesday, in rejection of the Israeli occupation arbitrary and criminal practices against them and their land.

SANA reporter noted that hundreds of the Syrian citizens in the occupied Golan began to gather at the shrine of Abu Dharr al-Ghifari in the al-Marj area, in preparation for heading towards al-Hafayer area, east of Masada village, in rejection of the occupation scheme to establish wind turbines on their agricultural lands.

The reporter said that the occupation brought large reinforcements from its forces and closed all roads leading to al-Hafayer area, where wind turbines are to be built.

The Syrian citizens renewed their adherence to their land and their rejection of the occupation’s endeavors to establish turbines on it, under the pretext of generating electricity from wind energy.

They stressed that they will not allow the occupation to seize their lands and displace them from it.

Scores of Syrian citizens were injured in attacks by the Israeli occupation troops in Masaada and al-Hafayer towns.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

The final statement of the 20th International Meeting on Syria in the Astana format affirmed that the guarantor states renew their firm commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria and to the goals and principles of the United Nations Charter.

The statement added that the guarantor states renew their determination to continue joint action to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and to reject separatist agendas aimed at undermining Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The statement stressed that the guarantor states condemn the activities of terrorist organizations and armed groups of different names in Syria and reaffirm their rejection of illegal operations to plunder the Syrian oil.

The statement also condemned the repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, which are a violation of international law and Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It reiterated the need to abide by universally recognized international legal decisions, including the relevant provisions of United Nations resolutions rejecting the occupation of the Syrian Golan. The first of these decisions are UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 297, which consider all Israeli decisions and practices in this context as null and void.

The guarantor states renewed their commitment to pushing political settlement process forwards under Syrian leadership and ownership, and with the facilitation of the United Nations in line with UN Security Council Resolution No. 2254, and stressed the important role of the Committee of discussing constitution, which was established with the decisive contribution of the guarantor countries of the Astana formula to implement the decisions of the Syrian National Dialogue Conference in Sochi.

The guarantor countries called for holding the 9th round of the committee to discuss the constitution without further delay, while ensuring a constructive approach by the Syrian parties, and in this regard affirmed their commitment to support the work of the committee through continuous participation with all parties and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, as a facilitator to ensure its sustainable and effective operation.

They also expressed their deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria, due to the repercussions of the devastating earthquake of last February, and condemned all unilateral coercive measures that violate international law, international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

The Russian President’s Special Envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, has affirmed that the meetings were very successful and dealt with a large number of issues.

“The 20th Meeting is the last meeting in Kazakhstan as the next meeting will be held in the second half of this year at a place to be determined later,” Lavrentiev said during a press conference at the conclusion of the 20th International Meeting on Syria in the Astana format.

He added “The Astana format have proven its effectiveness, and we thank Kazakhstan for hosting the meetings for more than 6 years.”

Lavrentiev added, “We stressed the necessity of continuing to work tirelessly to enhance stability in Syria, calling on countries that put pressure on the Syrian people to stop this behavior.”

“The return of Syria to the Arab League is very important, and it helps to enhance stability in the region, and the sanctions imposed by the West on Syria must be lifted to meet the humanitarian needs of its people,” Lavrentiev stated.

He stressed the need to support reconstruction efforts in Syria in order to create suitable conditions for the return of refugees to their homes.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah at The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, guests continue to arrive at their places of residence in Makkah.

So far, 656 pilgrims from 51 countries arrived in Makkah under this program.

The ministry exerts all efforts to ensure pilgrims perform the Hajj rituals with ease and comfort.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The General Directorate of Passports announced the arrival of 1,423,804 pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season of 1444 Hijri through all air, land and sea ports of the Kingdom until the end of Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

The directorate indicated that the number of pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom through airports reached 1,360,364, of whom 222,553 were beneficiaries of the Makkah Route Initiative, while 58,794 pilgrims arrived through land ports, and 4,646 arrived through seaports.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Qatar Museums announced on Tuesday its fall 2023 exhibitions programme, starting in September and featuring a globe-spanning variety of artists, cultures, and artforms.

The programme will be presented as part of Qatar Creates, the year-round national cultural movement that curates, promotes, and celebrates the diversity of cultural activities in Qatar, with several of the exhibitions opening during Qatar Creates Week in October.

The Present: The Future of the Past, held at the Fire Station: Artist in Residence, 31 August 2023 16 December 2023: This unique group exhibition reveals the various stages of the creative process of 31 artists in residence and offers a glimpse into the artists studio practice alongside their final artworks. The works displayed aim to convey a portion of this artistic journey while blurring the boundaries between the process and the outcome, and bridges the gap between the exhilarating, chaotic, and intimate personal experience in the studio and the finalised artwork showcased in contemporary art galleries An exhibition by Qatar Museums and the Vitra Design Museum, Masterpieces of Furniture Design, held at M7, 8 September 2023 9 December 2023: In partnership with the Vitra Design Museum in Germany, M7 will showcase Masterpieces of Furniture Design, an exhibition featuring more than 50 iconic pieces that span 200 years of design. Drawn from the renowned Vitra Design Museum collection, the exhibition will present a comprehensive selection of modern furniture, including original works by leading designers including Alvar Aalto, Le Corbusier, Charles and Ray Eames, Charlotte Perriand, and Virgil Abloh. The exhibition is accompanied by the encyclopaedic Atlas of Furniture Design, the most comprehensive book on furniture design ever published The Shape of Time: Art and Ancestors of Oceania from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, held at National Museum of Qatar, 24 October 2023 25 January 2024: The National Museum of Qatar will host nearly 130 cherished works from The Metropolitan Museum of Arts unparalleled Oceanic collection, which are travelling outside of The Mets walls for the first time in nearly a century, as the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing is being renovated. The exhibition is organised by themes-Voyaging, Ancestors, and Time-which demonstrate the interconnectedness of Pacific Islanders and their rich cultural heritage, and the dynamic artistic expressions on display that date back four centuries.

Growing Kopi, Drinking Qahwa; Stories of Coffee in Qatar and Indonesia, held at National Museum of Qatar, 24 October 2023 17 February 2024: Created for Qatar – Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture, the Coffee Exhibition, organized in collaboration with the National Museum of Indonesia, highlights traditional and contemporary coffee cultures in Qatar and Indonesia through interactive and sensory experiences. By approaching practices related to coffee growing, roasting, brewing, serving, and drinking in Qatar and Indonesia, the exhibition explores the world history of coffee trading and drinking, and the social connections it creates. This global approach through local examples makes it the ideal visit for culture enthusiasts and coffee lovers from all over the world.

Dan Flavin Donald Judd: Doha, held at QM Gallery – Al Riwaq, 25 October 2023 – 24 February 2024: QM Gallery Al Riwaq will host a highly anticipated exhibition of the work of Dan Flavin (1933-1996) and Donald Judd (1928-1994), two of the most influential figures of Minimalism, who met in 1962 in New York. The exhibition focuses on their shared engagement with material, colour, and form and will be the first major museum presentation to consider their artistic dialogue in nearly two decades. Curated by Michael Govan and Jennifer King and organised by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in collaboration with Qatar Museums, the exhibition will feature works spanning the 1960s through the 1990s, drawn from the collection of Qatar Museums, as well as other institutions, private collections, the Dan Flavin Estate and the Judd Foundation.

Fashioning an Empire: Textiles from Safavid Iran, held at the Museum of Islamic Art, 23 October 2023 – 20 April 2024: The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha (MIA) will showcase Fashioning an Empire: Textiles from Safavid Iran, a captivating exhibition that highlights the critical role silk played during the Safavid period (1501-1736 CE). The exhibition is organised into four sections, starting first with the establishment of the silk monopoly and state-funded manufacturing, exploring the production and technical components of textiles; the rise of Isfahan as imperial capital; fashion and trends in Safavid society; and lastly, contemporary commissions created by local designers inspired by Safavid textiles. Fashioning an Empire was conceived by and first presented at the Smithsonians National Museum of Asian Art, Washington DC (December 18, 2021 to May 15, 2022).

Source: Qatar News Agency