Damascus, the capital of Syria, is one of the most populous cities in the country, along with Homs, a main center of the Syrian uprising and catalyst for the civil war that began in 2011. Damascus is considered by many to be the oldest capital city in the world and has been called the \u201cPearl of the East.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both cities have suffered much loss and deterioration since the war started. Under Bashar al-Assad\u2019s oppressive control, the conflict has diminished. Travel to Damascus and Aleppo has resumed and is relatively safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For generations a large Christian community existed in Damascus, but the genocide in the mid-19th century caused many to leave the country. A comprehensive religious census has not been undertaken in Syria since the 1960s, but it is estimated that just 6% of the population is Christian. Most of these believers are part of one of the Orthodox communities.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":2907,"template":"","class_list":["post-2906","islamguide2024","type-islamguide2024","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/110cities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Islam-Guide-2024_02-12.jpg","ams_acf":[{"key":"islam_guide_city_name","label":"Islam Guide City Name","value":"Damascus, Syria"},{"key":"islam_guide_people_groups_focus","label":"Islam Guide People Groups Focus","value":"
Syrian Arab<\/a> \u201cFor Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.\u201d
\nNorthern Kurd<\/a>
\nNorthern Iraqi Arab<\/a>
\nAlawite<\/a>
\nPalestinian Arab<\/a><\/p>\n"},{"key":"islam_guide_scripture","label":"Islam Guide Scripture","value":"
\nMatthew 6:13 (NKJV)<\/p>\n"},{"key":"islam_guide_prayer_emphasis","label":"Islam Guide Prayer Emphasis","value":"\n