Damascus Expedition (4 NIGHTS 5 DAYS)

After airport departure procedures, we board the bus that will greet us and head towards the Syria border crossing. Our journey begins as we cross into Syrian territory via Hatay. Following customs procedures, after breakfast in Idlib, we continue towards Aleppo. Upon our arrival in Aleppo, we enter the city through the Antakya Gate, where the army under the command of Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah entered. We visit the Armor Mosque where the soldiers removed and rested their armor. Then, after visiting the ancient bazaar of civilizations, we visit Aleppo Citadel. Inside the fortress, we explore the mosque, bathhouses, ruins of an ancient theater, and old living areas, tracing the marks of city life that took shape within these walls over centuries. After visiting the citadel, we visit the Tahhan Khan from the Ottoman period, then proceed to the ancient Khan Dakka, and in the final part of the day, we visit the Soap Khan (Hân-ı Sâbûn), where Aleppo soap has been produced for ages, maintaining its reputation and quality. Through this visit, we become better acquainted with Aleppo's commerce culture and craft traditions. In the evening, after arriving in Aleppo and having dinner, we settle into the hotel and end the day with rest.

We depart our hotel and head to Hama, where we have breakfast opposite the historic water mills. After breakfast, in Hama we visit the historic water wheels (Nâûras) that have been carrying water from the Orontes River to the city for centuries and have become the symbol of the city, as well as the arches that complete this water system. These engineering marvels showcase Islamic civilization's harmonious urban design with nature and the value placed on water. We then visit the Nureddin Zengi Mosque, and afterwards explore the painters' street in the ancient city. We see the ruins of the destroyed Hama Citadel, and then visit the Hama Grand Mosque.

We then continue towards the city of Homs.

In Homs, we visit the mosque containing the mausoleum of Khalid ibn al-Walid (may God be pleased with him), the great commander of Islamic conquests. In this exceptional place, we visit the graves of companions also located within the same mosque as Khalid ibn al-Walid (may God be pleased with him) and offer prayers.

After the visit, we explore Homs' historic bazaar, Ottoman bathhouse, city square, and clock tower. We have dinner at an appropriate location and depart towards Damascus, arriving in the city in the evening. We settle into the hotel and complete the day.

Located within Damascus' historic fabric, the Hejaz Train Station represents the ideal of the Ottoman Empire to unite the nation, embodied through engineering and will. The Palace of Justice, reflecting the city's administrative memory, carries traces of legal and state traditions. We visit Abu Darda, the noble companion of our Prophet, and the Hamidiya Bazaar, which has been the heart of commerce and social life for centuries, allows us to feel Damascus' living spirit. A brief stop in the bazaar becomes a sweet memory at the famous Bekdash Ice Cream shop, transforming into a flavor unique to Damascus. The Umayyad Mosque, one of the most exceptional places of worship in Islamic history, brings together the footsteps of prophets and the collective memory of the nation in the same courtyard. Immediately beside it, the tomb of Saladin reminds us silently of the legacy of the conqueror of Jerusalem, built on justice and humility. The Turkish Martyr Pilots Monument, keeping alive the memory of heroes who sacrificed their lives for the homeland and the sacred, strengthens the bond between history and loyalty. We visit the tomb of Lady Ruqayyah, the daughter of Hussein, peace be upon him. The Azim Palace, one of the most elegant examples of Ottoman civil architecture in Damascus, displays the city's cultural and administrative splendor. The tomb of Nureddin Zengi, one of the pioneers of Islamic unity against the Crusaders, reminds us of a legacy of conviction that inspired Saladin. After dinner, we proceed to our hotel for accommodation.

After breakfast at our hotel, following our visit to Mevlana Khalid-i Baghdadi (may God sanctify his secret), the founder of the Khalidiyyah branch of the Naqshbandi order, we visit the tomb of Sheikh Muhyiddin Ibn al-Arabi, one of the peak names of Sufi thought, witnessing the unbroken continuation of the journey of knowledge, wisdom, and gnosis for centuries. The shrine of Lady Zaynab (may God be pleased with her), one of the blessed figures of Ahl al-Bayt, leaves a deep mark in hearts as a symbol of patience and resistance. The Cemetery of Bâbüssağîr, one of the most spiritual stops of the program, with the graves of Muawiyah (may God be pleased with him), Bilal al-Habashi (may God be pleased with him), our mother Hafsa, Umm Salamah (may God be pleased with her), Umm Habibah (may God be pleased with her), and many companions and great figures of Islam, transforms Damascus into a living history book. We visit the Sinaniye Mosque, built by the architect Sinan during the Ottoman period. After the designated free time, we meet up for dinner and then accommodation.

After breakfast, we continue the program to Ma'arrat al-Nu'man. In this city, known throughout history for learning and justice, we visit the modest mausoleum of Caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (may God have mercy on him), who held an exceptional place among the Umayyad caliphs and was known as the "fifth rightly-guided caliph." This visit becomes a profound moment of reflection where the position is remembered not for power but for justice; not for authority but for the consciousness of trust.

After the visits, we head towards the border crossing via Idlib. We have our meal along the way. After completing customs procedures, we arrive at Hatay Airport and Bus Station by 6:00 PM at the latest. We complete this blessed journey, woven with truth, history, and spirituality.