Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
We then visited the Umayyad Mosque. Everything about it was impressive; its size, its lav-
ish design and its multi-denominational and spiritual atmosphere.
Visitors of all faiths were welcome to enter the mosque. There were tombs with relics of
saints to which Christians and Moslems came to worship; such as that of John the Baptist.
There was the tomb of Hussain the son of Ali, the Prophet Mohamed's grandson. This was
another of the main reasons for visitors to the mosque, as this tomb was revered by the
followers of Shiism. There were groups of pilgrims from Iran along with accompanying
Ayatollas. The Ayatollahs were armed with microphones and small PA speakers in order
to recount the tragic story of Hussain to the distraught followers, who sobbed loudly and
openly. It was a humbling experience.
