Aleppo, Northern Syria, (SANA)- With the increasing importance of civil societies and the expansion of their scope to include various aspects of society beside humanitarian and charity work, civil societies specialized in tourism have recently emerged in light of the growing significance of the tourist sector and its relationship to the country's heritage and culture.

Out of love and recognition of the great value of Aleppo Citadel, which is considered one of the most famous cultural, archeological and tourist landmarks in Syria and a symbol of Aleppo city, Aleppo Citadel Friends Society was established with the aim of supporting the administration, rehabilitation, maintenance and resurrection of Aleppo Citadel and its surroundings.

Adli Qudsi, Head of Aleppo Citadel Friends Society and representative of Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Syria, said in a statement to SANA that the Society works on preserving the documents of the Citadel and its surroundings, publishing brochures and periodicals on its history and that of Aleppo city and providing tourist guides for visitors in a number of languages beside Arabic.

"The Society focuses on increasing tourist awareness and promoting Aleppo Citadel through programs and establishing funds for carrying out the necessary restoration and maintenance works," added Qudsi, pointing out that the civil society includes researchers in Islamic arts and the history of the ancient near east, as well as a number of experts, architectural engineers, writers and economists.

He referred to a comprehensive urban study that is being prepared of the Citadel's surrounding to tackle a number of issues related to traffic movement, building car parking lots, establishing tourist service centers and improving the facades of adjacent buildings and the infrastructure of the streets in the area.

Qudsi also pointed out that the Society has recently set up camera surveillance system around the Citadel with a total cost of SYP 1.5 million (1 USD is equivalent to about 47 SYP).

Member of the Society Khaldoun Fansah also told SANA the Society is working on deigning a guide signboard of Aleppo Citadel to help visitors touring the parts and landmarks inside the Citadel and is preparing a guide book in the Arabic and French languages.

In cooperation with Aga Khan Foundation, Aleppo Citadel Friends Society is also working on a project to publish a book on the restoration and rehabilitation activities conducted in the Citadel between 2000 and 2007, which will be an important record to document aspects of the history of Aleppo Citadel.

H. Said