As-salÄmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullÄhi wa-barakÄtuh
Previous Episodes
- 2013: Karguzari (Report) on Islam in Balkans
- 2014: Karguzari (Report) on Islam in Sri Lanka
- 2016: Karguzari (Report) on Islam in Al-Andalus (Spain + Portugal + Gibraltar)
Connection to Damascus
I also have a spiritual connection to Damascus and also aware the Sayyiduna Isa (AS) will land in Damascus. In addition, my teacher Imam Yusuf (HA) is from Damascus. He is suffering from Parkinson's disease and has lost his memory so I request all to make Dua for him.
His teacher was the foremost Scholar in Damascus in 1960s when Maulana Yusuf Kandhalwi (RA) wrote Hayatus-Sahaba and sent it to him to write the foreword, I have described this story before.
Background
I had no intention or planning to go to Damascus but it happened by accident. During the war on Terror, most airlines had stopped going to Pakistan and the one which did charged a premium.
I was looking for a cheap flight to Karachi and London to Karachi via Damascus was the cheapest ticket. They told me that there may be a few hours stay in Damascus and I will be provided a Hotel in Syria so I booked.
They also said that during the stay the Syrian Government will provide free tour to Damascus while we wait for the flight to Karachi.
What I did not know was that Syrian Airlines (like Iran) to Karachi ends up cancelling and stranding passengers for days!