The Syrian Interim Government’s Ministry of Culture and Family Affairs agreed to establish three directorates for education, family affairs and monuments in the northern countryside of Homs this week.
Zaman al-Wasl learnt that the Minister of Culture and Family Affairs, Samah Hadaya, requested activist and Arabic teacher Ali al-Wali to supervise the process of establishing the three directorates in the towns of Rastan, Talbiseh and Holeh.
In a statement to Zaman al-Wasl, Wali said that a cultural committee was formed in each town to manage the directorates and newly formed education bureaus, adding that by the end of June, three foundation conferences were held in the three towns.
Wali mentioned the concepts of civil peace, citizenship, mercy, enhancing creativity at personal and community levels, supporting and empowering women and children, as well as supporting people with special needs, war victims and the elderly, will be fundamental to the initial plans of the directorates.
Wali explained that protecting Syria’s monuments and cultural heritage is central to protecting national identity, adding that Homs is very rich in monuments and archaeological sites, like Palmyra, Hesn Castle and Katana kingdom.
In his opening speech for the first foundation conference of the directorate in Holeh, newly appointed Director of Monuments and Museums Ahmad Abbara described the step as very important, showing good intention and interest from the interim government in the cultural and educational heritage of Homs, dating back hundreds of years.
