Damascus Expedition (4 NIGHTS 5 DAYS)

After airport exit procedures, we board the bus that will greet us and head towards the Syria border crossing. Our journey begins with crossing into Syrian territory via Hatay. After customs procedures, we continue to Aleppo following breakfast in Idlib. Upon arrival in Aleppo, we enter the city through the Antakya Gate where the army under the command of Ubeydah ibn al-Jarrah entered, and we visit the armor mosque where the soldiers removed and rested their armor. Then, after visiting the ancient covered bazaar belonging to ancient civilizations, we visit Aleppo Citadel. Inside the fortress, we explore the mosque, bathhouses, remains of an ancient theater, and old residential areas, following the traces of urban life shaped over centuries within these walls. After visiting the citadel, following a visit to the Tahhan inn from the Ottoman period, we head to the ancient Dakka inn, and in the final part of the day, we visit the Soap House (Hân-ı Sâbûn) where Aleppo soap, which has maintained its reputation and quality for centuries, is produced. Through this visit, the trading culture and craft traditions of Aleppo are more closely appreciated. In the evening upon arrival in Aleppo, after dinner, we settle into the hotel and the day's fatigue ends with rest.

Departing from our hotel, we head to the city of Hama and have our breakfast overlooking the historic water mills. After breakfast, in Hama, a city that carries the traces of ancient history and known for knowledge and justice, we visit the historic water wheels (Nâûralar) that have become the symbol of the city and for centuries have brought water from the Asi River to the city, as well as the arches that complete this water system. These engineering marvels reveal Islamic civilization's harmonious understanding of cities with nature and the value given to water. Subsequently, we visit the Nureddin Zengi Mosque, then explore the painters' street in the ancient city. We see the remains of the destroyed Hama fortress, and then visit the Hama Grand Mosque.

Afterwards, we travel to the city of Homs.

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

After the visit, we explore Homs' historic bazaar, Ottoman bathhouse, city square, and clock tower. Later in the program, we have dinner at an appropriate venue and set out towards Damascus, arriving in Damascus in the evening, settling into the hotel and completing the day.

Within Damascus' historic texture, the Hejaz Train Station represents the Ottoman Empire's ideal of binding the nation together through engineering and will, while the Palace of Justice reflecting the city's administrative memory carries traces of legal and state traditions. We visit the great Companion Abu al-Darda (may Allah be pleased with him), while the Hamidiyah Bazaar, which for centuries has been the heart of commerce and social life, lets visitors feel Damascus' living spirit. A brief stop in the bazaar at the famous Bekdash Ice Cream parlor turns into a sweet memory with a flavor unique to Damascus. The Umayyad Mosque, one of Islam's most exceptional houses of worship, brings together the footsteps of the prophets and the collective memory of the nation in the same courtyard; right beside it, the tomb of Saladin reminds of the legacy of justice and humility of the conqueror of Jerusalem. The Turkish Martyr Pilots Monument, preserving the memory of heroes who gave their lives for homeland and sacred values in the Ottoman's final period, strengthens the bond between history and loyalty. We visit the tomb of Sayyida Ruqayya, daughter of Hussein (peace be upon him). The Azem Palace, one of the most elegant examples of Ottoman civil architecture in Damascus, displays the city's cultural and administrative grandeur, while the tomb of Nureddin Zengi, a leader of Islamic unity against the Crusaders, reminds of a moral cause that inspired Saladin. After dinner, we retire to our hotel for accommodation.

After breakfast at our hotel, following our visit to Mevlana Halid al-Baghdadi (may Allah be merciful to him), the founder of the Khalidiyya branch of the Naqshbandi order, the tomb of Shaykh Muhyiddin Ibn al-Arabi, one of the pinnacle names of Sufi thought, witnesses the uninterrupted journey of knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual knowledge continuing for centuries; the shrine of Sayyida Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her), from 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 stations of the program, with the graves of Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him), Bilal al-Habashi (may Allah be pleased with him), our mother Hafsa, Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), Umm Habibah (may Allah 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 Sinan Pasha during the Ottoman period. After the scheduled free time, we meet for dinner and subsequently accommodation.

After breakfast, we continue the program to Maarat al-Numan. In this town, remembered throughout history for knowledge and justice, we visit the modest mausoleum of Caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (may Allah have mercy on him), who held an exceptional place among Umayyad caliphs and was called the "fifth Rightly Guided Caliph". This visit becomes a moment of deep contemplation where the position is forgotten in favor of justice; power is forgotten in favor of the consciousness of trusteeship.

Following the visits, we travel 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, molded by truth, history, and spirituality.