Since 2011 Syria has been enduring a continuing nightmare.
A civil war, involving an unprecedented number of competing factions,
has thrown the population into confusion, privation, affliction and despair.
has thrown the population into confusion, privation, affliction and despair.
It is not just the Syrian people who are affected but also their heritage,
their culture, their identities that are being jeopardized by destruction of all kinds.
their culture, their identities that are being jeopardized by destruction of all kinds.
Old and historical cities, towns and villages are being burned, buildings of great historical and religious importance are being bombed or bulldozed,
archaeological sites are being looted, and museums are being plundered.
archaeological sites are being looted, and museums are being plundered.
The world community of archaeologists and scientists from related fields cannot remain voiceless.
That is why we created shirīn, a fully independent and non-profit
international association, comprised of professionals who consider Syria
as their intellectual home, or often as their second country.
international association, comprised of professionals who consider Syria
as their intellectual home, or often as their second country.
History is the chain that links us to our deepest roots.
Negating it amounts to negating mankind,
past, present and to come.
past, present and to come.
