El monte Qasioun ( árabe : جَبَل قَاسِيُون , romanizado : Jabal Qāsiyūn ) es una montaña que domina la ciudad de Damasco , Siria . Dispone de una oferta de restaurantes, desde donde se puede contemplar toda la ciudad. A medida que la ciudad se fue expandiendo a lo largo de los años, se han establecido algunos distritos al pie de la montaña. Su punto más alto es de 1.151 metros (3.776 pies). [2]
La montaña estuvo fuertemente atrincherada por las fuerzas del gobierno sirio desde el comienzo de la Guerra Civil Siria , ya que era un sitio estratégico en la batalla por las afueras de Damasco. [3] [4]
La montaña también alberga una especie endémica de iris, Iris damascena , que se puede encontrar en las empinadas laderas orientales, a una altitud de 1200 m (3900 pies) sobre el nivel del mar. [5] El gobierno sirio no ha otorgado a la especie ningún estatus de protección. El único factor beneficioso fue que parte del hábitat de la especie se encuentra dentro de una zona militar cerca de la 'Base Militar de la Guardia Republicana de Qassioun' y otras instalaciones militares, lo que impide que los civiles accedan a la zona. [6] La base y la pendiente del hábitat también impiden la construcción o el desarrollo, pero todavía está clasificado como en peligro crítico . [7]
El término Qasioun podría significar "duro y seco" en lengua siríaca , que es la característica de la montaña rocosa desnuda que no tiene hierba, vegetación ni agua. [8] [ cita no encontrada ]
On the slopes of Jabal Qasiun is a cave steeped in legend. It is said to have been inhabited at one point by the first human being, Adam; and there are various stories told about Ibrāhīm (Abraham), and 'Īsā (Jesus) also having prayed in it. It is mentioned however in Medieval Arab history books as having been the place where Qābīl (Cain) killed Hābīl (Abel).[9][10] It was known for hundreds of years as a place where prayers were immediately accepted, and especially in times of drought rulers of Damascus would climb to the cave and pray for rain. Because of the murder that took place there, claimed to be the first committed, it is called Maghārat al-Dam (the Cave of Blood).[11] According to Sunni Muslims, Mount Qasioun is the site of the miḥrābd (prayer niches) of the 40 arch-saints, known as the Abdāl, who is said to pray the night vigil prayers every night. A small mosque has been built over the Cave of Blood containing these miḥrābs.[citation needed]
Further down the mountain from the 'Cave of Blood', there was another cave known as Maghārat al-Jūˁ (the Cave of Hunger). Stories about this cave are somewhat confusing. Some say that forty saints died there of hunger;[who?] al-Harawī, however, who lived in the 13th century, writes that it is said that forty prophets died there of hunger.[11] At present, the cave has been concealed by surrounding houses, but that spot is called al-Juyūˁīyah (Roughly 'the Place of the Hungry').[citation needed]
On another flank of the same mountain is yet another cave, which has come down in local legend as being the cave of the Seven Sleepers, mentioned in early Christian sources, as well as in the Quran,[12] where they are known as the Aṣḥāb al-Kahf (Companions of the Cave). This is rather dubious, however, and it is only one of many caves in this part of the world that share the claim. A madrassah has been built over the cave, but pilgrims are still granted access.[citation needed]
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