Tuesday 10 March 2009

March 8th

We were honoured guests at the central mosque in Ar-Raqqa for the prophets Mohammed’s birthday celebration. We were very nervous, but were welcomed very positively by all 500 or so worshippers before sitting in the front seats by the Iman, who stood up and introduced us before telling people about our quest for birds in Syria. Again a positive response. Hearing the chanting and prayers was very emotive. A very humbling experience for us as individuals and westerners to be received with such open arms.