Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The ethnic and religious profile of Aleppo comprises nearly three quarters Sunni Muslims,
with the balance comprising mostly Christian. As it emerged, Aleppo has the largest Chris-
tian community in the Middle East after Beirut. Most of the Christians are members of
Orthodox congregations, particularly the Armenian and Syriac Orthodox Church.
The city once had a large Jewish population, but when the State of Israel was established in
1948, most of Aleppo's 10,000 Jewish residents looked to migrate to Israel. However, the
Syrian government banned the migration, although the reason for the ban is not clear. In re-
sponse the Jews established a covert migration campaign, which has been quite successful,
with the result there is only a small number of Jews remaining.
Although there was little backlash from the people in Aleppo when Israel was formed, it is
said that the Syrian government repressed Jews, and demonized them in the government-
controlled media.
The properties and houses of the Jewish families who departed were not sold and to this
day it is said that they remain uninhabited under the protection of the Syrian Government.
This is still the case today and most of these properties are in the Al-Jamiliah and Bab Al-
Naser areas, and the neighborhoods around the Central Synagogue of Aleppo.
Currently hundreds of buildings, many of beautiful late Ottoman style stand empty and de-
teriorating in many sections of town, chained symbolically against repossession by Chris-
tians or Muslims.
It was pretty late by the time we returned to the hotel, but the nearby market was still open
and a hive of activity.
