Secured but subdued: Muted Ashura in Damascus

In Old Damascus’s Al Ameen Street, where centuries of coexistence echo through narrow lanes, the Shiite community has gathered to mark Ashura.

But instead of the defiant roar of public mourning, what unfolded was a ceremony subdued by caution and a visible security presence.

Across Syria, the atmosphere has shifted since the fall of the Assad regime and the rise of a new administration led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, a former Al Qaeda affiliate. Minority communities fear potential reprisals, even as authorities insist religious freedom will be respected and public order maintained.

At the Zahraa Complex, typically bustling during Ashura, entry was tightly controlled by HTS, a Sunni militant group slowly transforming into an army. Worshippers, including children, were patted down. Armed guards stood at every corner, their presence both reassuring and a reminder of Syria’s lingering fragility.

Abu Idriss, head of General Security for Old Damascus, told The National of "co-ordination" with the area's Shiites. “Our role is to protect this area from the inside and out. After what happened in Dweila, we had to heighten our presence. No room for risks.”

He was referring to a suicide bombing at a church in Dweila last month, which killed more than two dozen people during Sunday prayers. The attack shook the capital’s already delicate sectarian balance. In response, authorities increased security at all major religious events.

“We needed to be here in force to ward off any potential troublemakers,” Mr Idriss said. “Security isn’t fully heightened because we didn’t want to create a spectacle. Today is one of the final days and the Ashura activities are taking place – just in a way that avoids provocation from both sides.”

Secured, subdued

But Ashura wasn’t just secure – it was subdued.

“We were told no public banners, no chanting, no handing out water or sweets to people in the street,” said Ali, 32, a volunteer. “It’s not like before. This is the first time I’ve seen so many rules around what we can and can’t do. But the key point is that it went ahead and there were no issues.”

Across Syria, the atmosphere has shifted since the fall of the Assad regime and the rise of a new administration. Hasan Belal for The National

Normally, Al Ameen Street would be draped in black flags to honour Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. Loudspeakers would fill the air with sermons, and processions would offer drinks and food to passers-by. This year, those rituals were largely absent.

Inside the Zahraa Complex, the core of Ashura endured, though marked by restraint. Hundreds sat quietly in the gathering halls, listening to sermons and recitals. Mourning remained, but it was private. Grief, too, was present but carefully contained.

“We feared something could happen,” Ali said. “You never know – there are former HTS fighters, rogue elements, people who don’t tolerate [Shiite] traditions. That’s why we needed the state to be out in force.”

Elsewhere, Syria’s Shiites, who make up less than 1 per cent of the population, were permitted to hold ceremonies but under strict conditions.

Without incident

In Sayyidah Zaynab near Damascus, long considered the spiritual hub of Syrian Shiites, major gatherings were scaled back. For many, the most noticeable change was the absence of Hezbollah and Iran’s influence.

Dr Muhammad Nizam, an academic and religious speaker who led one of the sermons, said efforts had been made to avoid inflaming tension.

“Ashura is for all Muslims,” he said. “There are those who want to portray the government as hostile to religious minorities, but what I’ve seen is the opposite — the authorities worked with us at the highest levels to ensure this could happen safely. Still, we agreed to limit certain things this year.”

At the Zahraa Complex, typically bustling during Ashura, entry was tightly controlled by government security. Hasan Belal for The National

Those “certain things” included the more visible and emotive aspects of Ashura: chest-beating rituals, chants of “Ya Hussein” and public re-enactments of the Battle of Karbala. For some, these omissions were painful. For others, they were necessary compromises to preserve the event at all.

Haj Riyad Nizam, a community elder and mediator, reflected on the occasion with quiet pride. “No one expected Ashura to take place at all this year,” he told The National. “But it did and without incident. That is a victory – not just for us [Shiites], but for Syria."

In a year marked by heightened tension and the return of sectarian fears, the absence of violence was itself a statement. The successful, if restrained, observance of Ashura offered a flicker of stability and signalled the state’s intent to maintain control while managing the expectations of its minority communities.

Still, for many, the question lingers: can Syria’s religious diversity survive under such rigid terms? Or is this the beginning of a quieter, more cautious chapter in the country’s sectarian identity?

On the final day of Ashura, Ali looked over the crowd and paused. “It’s not like before,” he said. “But at least it’s still here.”

The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S

Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900

Engine: 937cc

Transmission: Six-speed gearbox

Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm

Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km

Ultra processed foods

- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns

- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;

- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces

- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,

- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.

E-cigarette report

Big tobacco believes UAE is 'seriously considering' lifting e-cigarette ban

VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS

Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)

Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 402bhp

Torque: 760Nm

Price: From Dh280,000

Roll%20of%20Honour%2C%20men%E2%80%99s%20domestic%20rugby%20season

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWest%20Asia%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Bahrain%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Jebel%20Ali%20Dragons%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%201%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Harlequins%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%202%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%20III%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDubai%20Sevens%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association

Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The%20US%20Congress%2C%20explained

%3Cp%3E-%20US%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20435%20members%20make%20up%20the%20House%2C%20and%20100%20in%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20party%20needs%20control%20of%20218%20seats%20to%20have%20a%20majority%20in%20the%20House%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20In%20the%20Senate%2C%20a%20party%20needs%20to%20hold%2051%20seats%20for%20control%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20In%20the%20event%20of%20a%2050-50%20split%2C%20the%20vice%20president's%20party%20retains%20power%20in%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali

Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

While you're here

Tom Fletcher: How statecraft and summitry will have to adapt

Taylor Luck: Jordanians pin hopes on rebuilding chances in Syria

Gillian Duncan: Progress is slow for women in field of diplomacy

WEST ASIA RUGBY 2017/18 SEASON ROLL OF HONOUR

Western Clubs Champions League
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Bahrain

Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons

West Asia Premiership
Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons
Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

UAE Premiership Cup
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Dubai Exiles

UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

What it means to be a conservationist

Who is Enric Sala?

Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.

What is biodiversity?

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.

On Women's Day

Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?

Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality

The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

The biog

Name: James Mullan

Nationality: Irish

Family: Wife, Pom; and daughters Kate, 18, and Ciara, 13, who attend Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)

Favourite book or author: “That’s a really difficult question. I’m a big fan of Donna Tartt, The Secret History. I’d recommend that, go and have a read of that.”

Dream: “It would be to continue to have fun and to work with really interesting people, which I have been very fortunate to do for a lot of my life. I just enjoy working with very smart, fun people.”

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme

Priority access to new homes from participating developers
Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
Flexible payment plans from developers
Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates

Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?

The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.

The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.

He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.

He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.

He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.