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The Phoenix rises again The American novelist Ernest Hemingway was noted for his great sayings: “A man can
be destroyed but not defeated” and “A man is not defeated by his opponent but by
himself”. Nothing illustrates this better than the heroic stand of the Lebanese people
and the defeatist attitude of some Arab regimes.
The determination of a small nation to stand its ground, while under savage attack
with the most advance weaponry, is an outward display of a steadfast spirit. Such
determination puts to shame those who were shaken to death with fear when no one
was even considering attacking them!
Lebanon is one of the most beautiful countries of the Arab world,: it has wonderful
scenery, a pleasant environment and, educated, well mannered people. It is a tragedy
to see the dominant countries of the international community allowing the destruction
of this country and its people.
However, Lebanon has witnessed several attempts at destruction in the last few
decades but has always managed to rise from the ashes, faithful to the image of the
phoenix. It symbolises a hard working nation, its love of life and its determination
to carry on despite unimaginable setbacks. It was commendable to see our printers
in Beirut, Raidy Printing Press,(2)
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The 'Academy of Islamic Tourism' project With the publication of this issue, Islamic
Tourism magazine celebrates its fifth
anniversary. Its greatest achievement has
been the publication of the magazine in Arabic
and four other languages. Every two months
we bring out an Arabic-English, Arabic-
French, Arabic-Spanish and Arabic-German
edition. Other international languages are
being considered.
Our website, which is in perpetual
evolution, mirrors the magazine and
comprises of weekly news bulletins in five
languages, covering major developments in
the world of tourism. It also provides
information about international exhibitions
and allows the reader to review past issues
of the magazine.
The magazine is now known in the five
continents, mainly because of its
participation in most international tourist
exhibitions and the regular distribution of its
news bulletin to tens of thousands of
professionals in the tourism sector.
The first question that is posed by those
who consult our magazine for the first time
is: What is Islamic Tourism? The answers to
this question depend on who asks and who
answers. One such question was raised by
the Arabic broadcast of the BBC, during a
live transmission. I answered: “Nowadays,
there are no limits to tourism and Islam”.
In the light of the above mentioned
regarding the development(6)
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The Romantic City Heidelberg is considered one of the most beautiful German cities. The castle, the old town and
the river together form a unity exuding harmony which inspired poets and artists of the romantic
period. Nowadays this unique city fascinates millions of visitors from all over the world. It comes
as no surprise that Heidelberg is a candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The trip from Frankfurt Airport to
Heidelberg takes less than an hour.
Trains depart from the airport every 25
minutes. Heidelberg is one of the few
German cities with an undamaged baroque
Old Town which was not destroyed during
WWII. One of the largest pedestrian
precincts in Europe – 1.6 kilometers long –
meanders through the town, taking visitors
from one point of interest to another. The
historical university town at the foot of the
Odenwald hills is not only a world-famous
destination for tourists but also an
important service sector headquarters and
the science centre of the region(8-12)
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Where the Queen lives and works Buckingham Palace serves as both the office and residence of the Queen. It is one of the few
working royal palaces remaining in the world today.
From late July, through August and
September when the Palace is not being
used for official duties the opening of the
State rooms to the public is now an annual
event. Since childhood, when watching the
changing of the Guard, I had often wondered
what it was like inside. Now was the time to
find out! Provided with a compact “audio
guide” I was able tp follow the route at my
own pace. I thought every room impressive
but some especially memorable.
The Picture Gallery has paintings of
outstanding quality by Holbein, Rembrandt,
Rubens etc. Viewing the originals,(14)
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Greenwood, Canada's Smallest City If a hen and a half, takes a day and a half to lay an egg and a half how long does it take for
a monkey with a broken leg to kick the pips out of a watermelon? If you know the answer,
the folks in Rock creek would love to hear from you. At the local restaurant where two stuffed
bears welcome visitors; there is a prize for the correct answer. And they aren’t taking the pip!
Rock Creek, that means a general store,
a gift shop, a restaurant and a cafe, is
along the highway from Canada’s smallest
city, Greenwood with a population of less
than a thousand. It’s a great little town laid
out along the highway with the Anaconda
Cafe at one end and the Boundary Creek
motel at the other.
Walking through the town is a step back in
time to the days of the 1900s when gold,
copper and silver were king, Greenwood was
once home to 3.000 people, a supply centre
for the miners. The precious metals may be
gone but the historic buildings remain and
are still in use. And some of the heritage
homes along the river bank are for sale.(16)
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Where Mexican history is still alive Guadalajara, the capital of the state of Jalisco and one of the country’s great colonial cities,
embodies the soul of Mexico. It is renowned, even in the outside world, for its beautiful
setting, green flower-decked parks, and its cultural and historic sites, rousing folklore,
gourmet cooking, beautiful women and authentic handicrafts. Due to its innumerable
attributes, travelers, writers and its own inhabitants have given it such labels as: ‘City of
, ‘City of Fountains’ ‘the Western Mexican Pearl’ and ‘the Royal City’.
For centuries, travelers seeking a taste of
authentic Mexican culture, together
with modern comforts have found that
Guadalajara was the place to visit. Besides
its numerous historical sites, the city has
always been a major centre for the arts. But,
above all, what made this rambling urban
centre welcoming were the city’s
inhabitants, called tapatíos, known for their
cheerfulness, civic pride and hospitality.(18-20)
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China International Business & Incentive Travel Mart 2006 Organized by Beijing Tourism Administration and Reed Exhibitions (China), the China
International Business & Incentive Travel Mart (CBITM) 2006 was held from July 11th to July
13th in the China World Exhibition Hall in Beijing.
Statistics from the organizers indicated
that 190 exhibitors from 30 countries
participated, including Tourist Boards from
Malaysia and Holland. The exhibition space
covered 4300 sq meters. There were 3500
professional visitors registered online.
The exhibition focused on the business and
incentive travel sector. Most of the visitors
were from the tourist sector and the event
was more like a business meeting(22)
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Beijing International Tourism Exhibition More than ten international tourist
exhibitions are held in Beijing every year,
organized by the U. K, Singapore and Russia.
Each claims that it is the largest and the best. It
is true that China is an immense tourist market
and holds many exhibitions but most are below
the standard requierd by international tourism
fairs hosted by a city like Beijing.
The participants, particularly states, divide
themselves between such exhibitions and it is
difficult for ministries, tourism boards and
foreign participants interested in the Chinese
market to be everywhere.
EXHIBITIONS
The Beijing exhibition, held in June in which
Islamic Tourism Magazine participated for the
second consecutive year, attracted exhibitors
from several countries and successfully
managed to organize the program of “hosted
payers”. There was also a major increase in the
number of Chinese visitors.(59)
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The Blessed Islands MACARONESIA---It isn't often that you go somewhere and don't even know it until you get
back home. Such was the case with my visit to two islands off the coast of northeast Africa-
Madeira, a part of Portugal, and the Canaries, a part of Spain
The two are actually the central core of a
group of four island chains in the
Atlantic Ocean that make up the almost
mythical land of Macaronesia, I learned
while doing a little research for this article.
You'll find it listed just before the word
“macaroni” in Wikipedia, the world's
largest online encyclopedia.
Macaronesia-- not to be confused with
Micronesia, another group of islands in the
Pacific- comprises the Azores (Portugal),
Madeira (Portugal), The Canaries (Spain)
and Cape Verde, a separate republic. The
Azores are in the middle of the Atlantic
between North America and Europe,
Madeira and the Canaries are off the coast
of Morocco, and Cape Verde is much
further south, just west of Senegal.(24-28)
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The major event in the Steiermark During the World Tourism Games (WTS) from 21 to 24 June in the Dachstein-Tauern
region, several hundred people involved in the business of tourism together with travel
journalists from 41 countries participated at the invitation of the Austria Promotion
Organization. Here the journalists were given the opportunity to become acquainted with
the amenities of the area and at the same time participate in competitive sports.
The WTS was first initiated in 1996 by
the Austrian Promotion Organization
and takes place every two years in a
different region. The games are intended to
awaken interest in Austria and concurrently
promote tourism. Participants from
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Japan,
Oman, New Zealand, Singapore, the Czech
Republic, and the Ukraine were on hand.
Dr. Peter Führlinger is responsible for
Austrian Promotion for the Arab countries.
Thanks to his efforts, the event was
attended by many Arab guests in spite of
competition from the World Cup taking
place simultaneously.(30-32)
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hopes to make a splash in the beach vacations market Morocco is in the midst of a decade long-project that it hopes will lead to its hosting 10
million foreign tourists in 2010. Last year it saw 5.9 million visitors.
The Vision 2010 project includes
capitalizing on the country’s 3,500
kilometres of Mediterranean and Atlantic
coast, with only a fraction of that coast having
yet been developed to accommodate tourists
seeking vacations by the ocean, says Rachid
Maaninou, the Moroccan National Tourism
Office’s director of international markets.
The country wants to triple the number of
hotel beds – giving it some 230.000 --
suitable for foreign tourists by 2010, with six
planned resort communities slated to open
in the next few years along Morocco’s coast.(34)
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The historic aramaic towns of Syria It takes less than an hour’s drive from downtown Damascus to reach the charming old
Aramaic town of Saidnaya in the foothills of the majestic Anti-Lebanon mountains. The town
is famous for its Christian holy sites and monasteries as well as for its inhabitants who
belong to the Syriac minority.
The Syriacs, who gave their
name to the whole modern
country of Syria, are the
grandchildren of the ancient
Arameans. The area called the
“Fertile Crescent” to which
Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and
parts of Jordan, Iraq and Turkey
belong was once the territory of
numerous prosperous Aramaic
city-states.
The ancient Greeks were probably
the first to call the Aramean
population Syrians; the name
“Aram” was first mentioned
around 2300 BC. Many Aramaic
tribes developed into special ethnic groups
and acquired names of their own such as the
Canaanites in Palestine,(36-38)
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Worship with a spirit of solidarity The glorious month of Ramadan is special in Tunisia, where life takes a different
course, marked with special customs and traditions. The families decorate the front of
their houses and those caring for mosques give them an extra coat of paint and light
up the minarets with lamps.
During the month of Ramadan, there
is a large increase in the number of
worshippers in mosques throughout the
country. Thousands of citizens hasten
each day not only to say the Asr
(afternoon) prayers, but also to take part
in the circles of “dikr” and religious
seminars organized daily in the mosques
after the Asr and Maghreb (sunset)
prayers. Even the optional prayer
“tarawih”, said after “Isha” (evening)
prayers has become quasi obligatory for
Tunisians. Many Tunisian families want to
say it together to strengthen family ties.(40-42)
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A neglected tourist treasure Archaeological and historical sites are waiting to be discovered in the Kurdish regions of Iraq,
Iran, Turkey and Syria.
The Kurds claim to be the most ancient
people in the Middle East region and the
Neolithic site at Jarmo, in northern Iraq, with
a village dating back to 6,000 BC gives
credence to their claims.
Arbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan and
home to a million people, is believed to be
one of the world's oldest continuously
inhabited cities with many tourist
attractions. Located along an important
trade route, Arbil came under the control of
the great empires of the ancient world
including the Assyrians, Persians and
Alexander the Great. The ancient citadel
overlooks the hustle and bustle of everyday
life in the modern city.(44)
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Education, Business and Tourism More and more Arab youth are looking for a qualitative higher education either in their
homeland or in other Arab countries. The demand for education is huge.
On the one hand, the population is
young and willing to study and, on
the other the political situation worldwide
restricts the travel possibilities to Europe
and North America for many young Arabs
and Muslims. Experts are pointing out
that the number of Arab students
attending American and European
universities has decreased by at least 50%
in the last five years.
Some Arab countries have a longestablished
tradition of attracting Arab and
even some African and Asian students. The
universities in Cairo, Lebanon and Damascus
have been offering various educational
programs for Arabs and non-Arabs since the
Second World War.(46-48)
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The amazing palace and fortress Al Ukhaider is one of the most solid fortresses of the Islamic world, whose secrets are not yet
completely revealed. It remains an enigma for archaeologists and researchers who are
unaware of to its founder, the reason or date of its construction, or even if it is Islamic or
Sassanid. And who engraved its walls with words in one of the old languages, safayia?
The visitor will be perplexed as to whether
Al Ukhaider is a palace or a fortress.
Was it built all at once or in different stages?
The channels which surround it also have
their secrets.
Location
The palace/fortress of Al Ukhaider is located in
the Western desert, 48 km to the south-west
of the town of Karbala and 150 km south of
Baghdad. It is one of the most beautiful
fortresses of the Muslim world.(50-52)
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A bewitching building "Dar El Hajar" is a historic building standing proud in the heart of Wadi Dhahr, some 14 km
(half an hour’s drive) from the capital Sana’a. If one looks from Sana’a towards the northwest,
one is required to contemplate each corner of this "house" with so many exotic and
astonishing features.
The fortress stands in the Rocky Mountains
and, throughout history, played an
important role in the politics of the country. Its
location on a rock face shows the ingenuity of
Yemeni architecture which is admired all over
the world.
Its name, “Dhar” or fortress, was derived from
the granite rock on which it was built. While
no one disagrees with this there are many
versions of the history of the fortress. Some
claim that its construction dates back to the
pre-Islamic period. Others believe it was
founded during the reign of the Turks in
Yemen. Its construction is also dated from the
11th century Hegira.(54)
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A revolution in Egypt's red sea A revolution has been happening on Egypt's Red Sea. It started 30 to 40 years ago with a
few lone insurgents, expanded to a die-hard bunch and has now swollen to a virtual flood.
This revolution is tourism. Most visitors to the Egyptian Red Sea now buy a package
holiday, staying in a coastal resort. I would like to suggest three alternatives (or additions)
to that common package. Alternatives which give a rewarding feel of the real locality.
These can help put more of your spending money into local hands and bring an awareness
of the beautiful but fragile environment of this coastline.
This revolution started with a few scuba
divers, mainly from the UK and Europe,
who discovered the fantastic underwater life
and conditions along these coasts. Some
decided to set up homes and dive shops in
small fishing villages,(56-60)
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A visit to the mausoleum of Imam Al Hussein Ibn Ali Hussein Ibn Ali was born in Medin on the 5th of the month of Sha’ban of year 4 of
Hegira. His distinguished parents were Imam Ali and Fatema Al-Zahra, the daughter of
Prophet Mohammad. He was two years younger than his brother Al Hassan and had a
remarkable resemblance to his grandfather, the Prophet. He was very knowledgeable,
devoted to fasting, praying and giving alms.
With his brother Al Hassan, Imam Al
Hussein took part in the conquest of
North Africa, Tabaristan, and
Constantinople, as well as the wars of
Jamal, Saffin and Khawarej. He refused to
pledge allegiance to Yazid Ben Mua’awia
Ben Abi Soufian and revolted against his
rule, which was not in conformity with
Islamic principles.(62-68)
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Who are the best companies in the travel industry? The British Travel Awards 2006 will reveal who the UK travel industry and the British
travelling public have voted as the best travel companies in 2006 at a glittering awards
ceremony on 9th November in London. Two thousand travel industry professionals are
expected to attend the event, which promises to be the highlight of the British travel
industry calendar.
Creators of The British Travel Awards
2006, Jonathan Hitchens and Lorraine
Barnes Burton, have over 20 years experience
in travel and event management and, with
the input of specially selected travel partners,
their aim is to accurately reflect the views of
the industry and travelling public. Premier
among those partners is Reed Travel
Exhibitions who have chosen The British Travel
Awards as the official closing event for their
number one show – World Travel Market.(11)
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Return with your families to the beautiful landscapes ... ITM will work with you for the recovery of tourism in Lebanon so that we can all enjoy the
hospitality and welcome of its generous people.
Let Lebanon once again be the jewel in the crown of Arab tourism
Lebanon, o Lebanon, you fill our ears, our
glances and our hearts. Country of art,
free press, authenticity, Arabism, mountains
and tourism.
Damn the invaders who loved to throw back
the needles of time and submerge you again in
the desperation of war, destruction and the
shedding of innocent blood. Only yesterday,
Lebanon had recovered from its wounds,
regained its elegance and splendour thanks to
the work of its children. It was once again a
hub of commerce, politics, art, the press and
tourism. Her admirers returned from all corners
of the earth: they returned to sit in the cafes of
Raucha, to shop in Al-Hamra street, to enjoy
their summer holidays in Aliah, Shtora,(72-74)
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