Publish Date: 10 October 2005 - 18:28

TEHRAN, Oct. 10 (MNA) -- A team of experts from Harvard University, who are currently on a visit to Syria, announced that they plan to publish a magazine entitled “The Roots of Islam” in order to reflect the Islamic civilization, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on Monday.

During a meeting with Damascus University dean Wael Mua’ala, the delegation added that developing relationships between Muslims and Christians is another goal of publishing the magazine.

 

According to SANA, both sides discussed the possibility of encouraging Syrian students and teachers to pursue their higher studies at Harvard University and exchanging print materials and publications in the framework of scientific cooperation between the two universities.

 

Founded in 1923 from the merger of the School of Medicine (established 1909) and the Institute of Law (established 1913), Damascus University is the largest and oldest university in Syria.

 

Later, other faculties were added to the university and it witnessed major improvements after Syrian independence in 1946.

 

The university used to have the official name the 'Syrian University' until 1958 when the University of Aleppo was founded, so the name was changed to Damascus University.

 

Today the university consists of faculties of literature and human sciences, education, economics, law, agriculture, Islamic Sharia, pharmacology, medicine, dentistry, civil engineering, fine arts, architecture, mechanical engineering, and the Higher Institute of Administrative Development. Moreover, seven intermediate institutes and the School of Nursing are affiliated with the university.

 

Since 9/11, the United States America has been disseminating anti-Muslim propaganda in an attempt to associate Islam with terrorism. However, Muslims reject the accusation, emphasizing that Islam is a religion of reconciliation and peace.         

 

NM/ML