Mushaweh opens reading house in old Damascus

DAMASCUS,(ST)_ Houses of Syrian prominent figures are to be reading houses to disseminate culture within a new project launched by the Ministry of Culture.

Dr.Lubana Mushaweh ,the  Culture Minister, on Wednesday opened the Hall of Scholar Mohammad Saeed al-Orfi (member of Arabic Language Academy in Damascus).

The Hall located in Qanawat alley would include rooms to show issues of the Syrian Writers General Commission to revive old cultural traditions such as “Katatib”, “al-Hakawati” and magic box.

The scholar’s family wanted to immortalize him through taking part in the national project that seeks to revive heritage and to spread culture in Damascus alleys.

The family would rehabilitate the hall, which includes unique antiques, to attract children to read books and learn simple handcrafts.

Moreover, the hall would include a shop for selling the Writers Commission’s issues.

The Scholar Saeed al-Orfi was born in DeirEzzor city in 1896 and worked as Mufti of Euphrates Valley. He took part in the 1919 revolution against the British colonialist. 

In 1942, he was elected as a member f the Arab Scientific Academy in Damascus.

Al-Orfi spoke several languages fluently and wrote a number of books.

B. Qaddour