Publications
Residents of the Cities in the Levant
The Umayyad era marked a significant transformation in the Levant, where urbanization replaced nomadic lifestyles and laid the foundation for civilization. This study reveals that the prosperity of Levantine cities was driven by economic and commercial factors, including inland and coastal trade, abundant agricultural resources, and strategic military development. The Umayyads introduced Islamic urban elements such as mosques, governor's houses, and fortified walls, while also establishing new cities like Ramla and Rusafa for both military necessity and economic benefit. The research highlights how Arab Muslims adapted existing urban structures, integrating financial institutions and tribal foundations into their city planning. This period saw the emergence of advanced human activities in political, economic, and social fields, contributing to the development of civil society institutions. The study underscores the Umayyad conquests as a pivotal factor in the evolution of urban life in the Levant.
Etymological Parallels: Mtskheta - Mashita/Masqita - Dimasq
A groundbreaking etymological analysis reveals that the name of Damascus (dimaâq) likely originates from the ancient Mushk tribe, translating to 'the abode of Mushks.' The study connects Damascus with other historical settlements—Mtskheta in Georgia and Maskhita in Syria—through linguistic parallels, suggesting a shared Indo-European or Western Asian origin. Researchers examined proper names, geographical terms, and lexical units from ancient texts, including Aramaic (dammaâq) and Hebrew (dammeâeq), to trace the evolution of these place names. The findings propose that Damascus's name reflects its historical ties to Mushks, a tribe that migrated from Asia Minor and established a kingdom in Cappadocia. This work advances our understanding of ancient migrations and linguistic continuity across Western Asia.
Formation of Scientific Knowledge in the Muslim East in the Early Middle Ages
The Muslim East during the early Middle Ages emerged as a pivotal center for scientific and cultural advancement, marked by the establishment of libraries, universities, and research hubs that facilitated the translation and dissemination of ancient Greek and other classical works. This intellectual synthesis spurred significant progress in mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, medicine, and literature, with notable contributions from luminaries like al-Khwarizmi, Ibn Sina, and al-Beruni. Cities such as Baghdad, Damascus, and Cordoba served as crucibles for intellectual exchange, preserving and expanding knowledge while fostering a unique blend of religious and scientific thought. This era's legacy endures in modern science, technology, and critical thinking, underscoring its profound impact on global scientific progress.
A Stronghold of Islam
The Bab Cherqi, an eastern Roman portal of Damascus dating back to the third century under Emperor Caracalla, stands as the oldest city gate. This structure, along with preserved sections of the city wall and a restored Chapel of the Latins, offers a glimpse into Damascus's layered history, spanning from its origins linked to Ur, great-grandson of Noah, to its later significance during King Ahaz's reign. The study highlights the enduring architectural heritage of Damascus, including the ill-maintained garden-square under a cupola, which gained renewed attention following Kaiser Wilhelm II's visit in 1898. The research emphasizes the city's role as both a stronghold of Islam and a repository of ancient traditions, particularly those associated with Baal worship.
Caliphs and Merchants: Cities and Economies of Power in the Near East (700–950)
The book 'Caliphs and Merchants: Cities and Economies of Power in the Near East (700–950)' presents a fresh perspective on the economic development of the Near East during the late Umayyad and early ‘Abbasid periods, challenging long-held myths about the decline of the Eastern world. It argues that the region experienced remarkable prosperity, surpassing Europe, due to the continuity of Roman and Sasanian economic institutions. The study integrates historical, literary, textual, and archaeological evidence, focusing on artisanal craft industries such as pottery, glassmaking, textiles, and food processing. It also explores the transformation of marketplaces and labor patterns, highlighting the rise of a new entrepreneurial class, the tuğğār. The research emphasizes the reliance on late antique economic urban institutions and the Islamification of the economy, providing a comprehensive analysis of the region's economic success.
The Kurdish presence in Damascus, and the role of the notable Ali Agha Zalfo
Damascus harbors significant Kurdish heritage and influence dating back to the era of Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi. The study highlights the enduring presence and contributions of Kurdish communities in Damascus, exemplified by the notable Ali Agha Zalfo. Zalfo's role is particularly noteworthy for his active participation in Syrian national movements, including the Great Syrian Revolution and resistance against French Mandate forces. He also played a pivotal role in supporting Kurdish immigrants in Damascus during the 1920s, offering them shelter and financial assistance. This study underscores Zalfo's patriotism and his significant impact on both Syrian society and the Kurdish diaspora, earning him widespread respect and gratitude.
Mapping Damascus during the First World War. A German-Ottoman Cooperation of Cartography, Archaeology and Military?
During the First World War, German and Ottoman experts collaborated to map Damascus, revealing a complex interplay of archaeological preservation and military objectives. The study finds that while the mapping efforts were ostensibly aimed at preserving ancient sites, they also served strategic military purposes under the guise of cultural heritage protection. Researchers used trigonometrical surveys and aerial photographs to document the city's structures, blending scientific inquiry with wartime logistics. This dual-purpose approach highlights the paradoxical nature of German-Ottoman cooperation, where archaeology and cartography intersected with military strategy.
Sacred Place and Sacred Time in the Medieval Islamic Middle East: A Historical Perspective
A groundbreaking study reveals the interconnectedness of sacred place and time in medieval Islamic society, challenging conventional narratives by demonstrating how shrines and lunar calendar months functioned as dynamic elements of religious experience. The research focuses on the shrine of Husayn's head, a relic central to Shiʿa tradition but also venerated in Sunni-dominated regions like Damascus and Ascalon, where its journey and controversies reflect complex historical and political motivations. Additionally, it explores the sacred month of Rajab, showing how ancient traditions were revived and integrated into Islamic practice, often sponsored by states like the Fatimids to bridge religious divides. The study employs a comparative approach, analyzing medieval texts alongside modern scholarship to highlight the continuity between popular religion and theological thought, offering new insights into the foundations of Islam's sacred space and time.
In an Ottoman Holy Land: The Hajj and the Road from Damascus, 1500–1800
This study reveals that Damascus, rather than traditional holy sites like Mecca or Jerusalem, became the pivotal gateway for the Ottoman hajj between 1500 and 1800. The research argues that the Ottoman Empire's conquest of Damascus in 1516 transformed it into a logistical hub for pilgrimage, integrating the hajj into a broader 'Ottoman holy land' that included Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. This shift was driven by the empire's infrastructure investments, which facilitated both Muslim and non-Muslim pilgrimages, blurring religious boundaries. The study challenges the notion of static premodern religious practices, demonstrating how mobility and material culture shaped lived religion. It also critiques the assumption that increased circulation inevitably homogenizes devotional practices, instead highlighting the persistence of saint worship alongside the rise of an 'Ottoman' hajj culture.
Urban Autonomy in Medieval Islam
Medieval Islamic cities, including Damascus, exhibited significant autonomy from the late 10th to early 12th centuries, marking a pivotal shift in urban governance and economic development. This study reveals that these cities—spanning regions like Aleppo, Cordoba, and Tunis—operated independently for extended periods, transforming from ancient political or agricultural centers into dynamic hubs of commerce and industry. Unlike earlier civilizations, the Islamic world pioneered this transition, later influencing China and parts of Western Europe. The research employs a comparative approach, analyzing each city separately to establish its autonomy through factual evidence.
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