quick question: advice on travel to Saidnaya in Syria?

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Jutta Sperling

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Dec 1, 2025, 11:13:17 PM (6 days ago) Dec 1
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Dear colleagues,
I'm writing an application for a travel grant that would take me to Saidnaya near Damascus, because I'd like to find the ancient, miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. I'm just not sure what the situation is in terms of security, and, independently of this, whether I should mention this destination in a grant application. 
If anybody had some advice, I'd greatly appreciate it.
I also have a non-US passport, which I thought I could use ...

best wishes
Jutta

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Jutta Sperling
Professor of Early Modern History and Visual Culture
Hampshire College
Amherst, MA 01060, USA

Visiting Scholar
Amherst College


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hilar...@bluewin.ch

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Dec 2, 2025, 8:41:54 AM (5 days ago) Dec 2
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Dear Jutta,
According to my information, there is no particular danger at the moment in and around Saidnaya (except for the unpredictable actions of the Israeli Air Force). When you go there, please pray for those who were tortured and died in Saidnaya prison under the Assads and those who have survived as broken people.
Best wishes,
Hilary
 
 
Dr. Hilary Kilpatrick,
Avenue de Cour 155,
CH - 1007 Lausanne. 
 
 
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Jutta Sperling

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Dec 2, 2025, 11:34:00 AM (5 days ago) Dec 2
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Dear Hilary, yes, I will do that. I will pray for them. Thank you for your advice and encouragement to visit.
Jutta

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