Letter to FT: Cool Damascus, 11 nov 2008

The Financial Times Published: November 11 2008 02:00 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e105f2f2-af90-11dd-a4bf-000077b07658.html From Dr Annie C. Higgins. Sir, Thanks to Anna Fifield for her spotlight on studying in Damascus ("Students speak up for merits of cool Damascus", November 4). I must add that some of the "blondes in skinny jeans and retro sunglasses" are in fact Syrian students, along with the foreigners. Also, while classical Arabic is indeed the language of newspapers and government, it is also the language of poetry, modern literature, and the Koran. Arabs of all linguistic stripes lay claim to speaking a dialect closest to classical Arabic, so Syrians will be duly proud to hear they have convinced your reporter of this distinction! Finally, I have managed to live in Syria without reiterating, even in jest, the tired American "axis" quote. Nevertheless, you provide poetic justice by highlighting cool Damascus on the US election day! Annie C. Higgins, Secretary, Syrian Studies Association, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, US