Aleppo- Sana
The movement of shovels and sculpting stones to rebuild and rehabilitate the old markets of Aleppo does not stop to open the arteries of the city, part of which was destroyed by terrorism, including the well-known Hatem Suwaiqah, to come back to life again at the hands of skilled builders who mastered the use of stone and solid wood to preserve its urban identity.
Engineer Ahmed Al-Shihabi, director of the Old City of Aleppo, affiliated with the Aleppo City Council, told SANA reporter that the restoration and rehabilitation work in Suwaqa Hatim, which includes more than 150 shops and a number of cells, includes stone facades, wooden and metal doors, and the removal of urban abuses and visual distortions, under the supervision of a cadre of technicians and engineers from the old city. .
He pointed out that the market was dedicated to the sale of household appliances, kitchen equipment, cosmetics and decorative accessories, and it is one of the most important open and unroofed commercial markets, linking the two axes of Khan al-Wazir Street in the south, which leads to the castle, with the old prison street that leads to the Sabaa Bahrat roundabout in the north.
Al-Shihabi pointed out that a number of merchants and owners of the destroyed shops had granted the necessary licenses from the Old Aleppo Directorate and the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums in Aleppo to restore and rehabilitate their shops, where they were able to restore them and return to them and practice their work again, while others continue to build and equip, as well as restore the commercial inns, including Khan Al-Badnajki and Khan Musa. Gimp in addition to the archaeological mosques.
SANA’s camera monitored the restoration and rehabilitation work in Swaqa Hatim, where cutting and carving of stones and cleaning of stone facades are carried out. In this regard, Ahmed Hallaq, who works in the field of stone carving, stated that the damaged parts are removed and replaced with stones of the same type to preserve their urban shape and build stone arches.
Abdul Qader Tahan, who keeps the last copy of the calendar at the entrance to his shop, dated August 3, 2012, the day he left it under duress due to terrorism, said, "He is happy to return to the market, as he worked on restoring and equipping his shop in preparation for its opening and starting work with it," calling on all merchants to return to their shops and restore them. To revive the market again, which was confirmed by his neighbor Abdul Rahman Tahan, the owner of a shop selling cosmetics, cosmetics and makeup, calling on the concerned authorities to provide transportation to reach the market.
Abdel Fattah Ajam indicated that he works in his shop, which he inherited from his father and grandfather, and that he returned with all determination to restore and reopen it to sell decorative accessories, some kitchen utensils and heritage tools. The young Abdel Aziz Karkar said that he returned to Aleppo after an absence from it for years he spent in Egypt, as his longing for it pushed him To return and work with his brother in restoring the shop that sells household appliances and kitchen.” He wished for the return of normal life to all the markets of the city of Aleppo, with interest in improving the electricity reality in it.
At the southern entrance of Suwaiqah, in parallel with the restoration of the shops, the restoration work of the archaeological mosque adjacent to these shops, which was also damaged by terrorism, is underway. And the stone doors and arches, while preserving its urban identity, with the expertise and hands of local residents.”
Qusai Razzouk
