Yazan (Arabic: يزن, Japanese: ヤザン) is a Computer Science student based in Nagoya, Japan. He grew up in Latakia, Syria.

He contributes to English Wikipedia since 2008, mostly on articles relating to his country, Syria and the Ancient Near East. You can check his work on Wikipedia here, or you can help with his todo list.

Badawi edit

كافور طاغية و في بعض المشاهد بهلوان

— Badawi al-Jabal, Kafur

Wikipedia edit

N — new article
5x — five-fold expansion
? — featured in Did you know on the Main Page
  — peer-reviewed good article

For a complete list of articles I've created, see here. The following are contributions I am most proud of.

Geography edit

Hims  | Latakia  | Ghab plainN ? | Forests of SyriaN ? | MuzayribN ? | Al-MushannafN ? | Al-MazraaN ? | Tell ShihabN ? | TafasN ? | Jindires? | Tell AranN ? | JayrudN ? | Al-Shaykh SaadN ? | Barad, Syria? | Assal al-WardN ? | DarkushN ? | Al-Fu'ahN ? | Maarrat Misrin5x ? | Khan Dannun? | Taftanaz? | Ghabaghib? | Al-Dana, Syria? | Al-Qurayya? | MaryaminN ? | MaskanahN | BaarinN |

Architecture edit

Tekkiye MosqueN ? | Cathedral of Our Lady of TortosaN ? | Al-Omari Mosque (Bosra)N | Al-Firdaws MadrasaN ? | Norias of HamaN | Khan al-HarirN ? | Azm Palace (Hama)? | Khan As'ad Pasha? | Citadel of Damascus5x ? | Al-Kahf CastleN ? | Yalbugha MosqueN ? | Hammam YalbughaN ? | Mausoleum of SaladinN ? | Bab SharqiN ? | Bab al-JabiyahN ? | Murad Pasha MosqueN ? | Bab al-Faraj (Damascus)N ? |

Archaeology edit

Ebla tabletsN ? | Ras Ibn HaniN ? | Roman Theatre at BosraN ? | Minet el-BeidaN ? | Tell MashnaqaN ? | Khabur wareN ? | Tell Ramad? | Tell Ghoraifé? | Al-RawdaN ? | Amrit5x ? | Royal Palace of MariN ? | Temple of Bel5x ? | Tell SukasN ? | Tell Sabi AbyadN ? | Investiture of ZimrilimN ? | Statue of Ebih-IlN ? | Royal Palace of UgaritN ? | Baal with ThunderboltN ? | Roman Theatre at ApameaN ? | Roman Theatre at PalmyraN ? | Camp of DiocletianN ? | Great Colonnade at PalmyraN ? | Harbaqa Dam5x ? | Great Colonnade at ApameaN ? | Statue of Iddi-IlumN ? | Hurrian foundation pegsN ? |

History edit

Al-AzmN ? | People's Party (Syria)N ? | Syrian parliamentary election, 1961N ? | List of members of the Parliament of Syria, 1961N ? | Preamble and Chapter 1 of the Syrian ConstitutionN ? | Chapter 2 of the Syrian ConstitutionN ? | Chapter 3 of the Syrian ConstitutionN ? | 1936 Syrian general strike5x ? | Communist Labour Party (Syria)? |

People edit

Ancient edit

NiqmepaN ? | IbiranuN ? | Shibtu5x ? | Yarim-Lim IN ? |

Contemporary edit

Abdel Hamid SarrajN ? | Adnan al-MalkiN | Haqqi al-AzmN ? | Said al-GhazziN ? | Bouthaina Shaaban5x ? | Salim BarakatN ? | Ali DubaN ? | Hikmat al-ShihabiN ? | Ali AslanN ? | Muhammad Mustafa Mero5x ? | Ali FarzatN ? | Saleh al-AliN ? | al-Fadl ibn Salih? | Afif al-BizriN ? | Abdullah AtfehN ? | Muhsin al-Barazi5x ? | Lutfi al-HaffarN ? | Sabri al-AsaliN ? | Orwa NyrabiaN ? | Anwar BannudN ? | Nasuhi al-Bukhari? | Abd al-Karim al-JundiN ? | Muhammad al-Khuli? | Mohammad MalasN ? |

Art edit

Al-ManamN ? |

DYK Hooks edit

  1. ... that the fourth-century Byzantine mosaic discovered in Maryamin, in central Syria, is one of the few artifacts that give an indication on how the organ instrument was used in antiquity? (3 January 2013)
  2. ... that whosoever erases the inscription on the Statue of Iddi-Ilum of ancient Mari, "will have his line wiped out by Inanna"? (11 December 2012)
     
    The Louvre lion and accompanying stone tablet
  3. ... that the inscription on the stone tablet accompanying the Urkish lions (pictured) is the earliest known text written in the Hurrian language? (6 December 2012)
     
    Overview of the Great Colonnade at Apamea in Syria
  4. ... that the porticoes of the Great Colonnade at Apamea (pictured) were paved with mosaics along the full 2-kilometre (1.2 mi) stretch of the avenue? (29 November 2012)
  5. ... that in his documentary film al-Manam, Syrian filmmaker Mohammad Malas interviews Palestinian refugees in Lebanon about their dreams? (29 November 2012)
  6. ... that Bab al-Faraj is the only surviving city wall gate in Damascus that was added after the Muslim conquest? (27 November 2012)
     
    The Great Tetrapylon at Palmyra linking the western and central sections of the colonnade
  7. ... that the three sections of the Great Colonnade at Palmyra in Syria were connected by a tetrapylon (pictured) and a monumental arch? (26 November 2012)
  8. ... that the Roman Harbaqa Dam in the Syrian Desert was reused by the Umayyads in the eighth century to supply water to the nearby palace of Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi? (24 November 2012)
     
    Remains of the Camp of Diocletian at Palmyra
  9. ... that the Roman Camp of Diocletian at Palmyra in Syria (pictured) served as the military headquarters for the Legio I Illyricorum? (23 November 2012)
  10. ... that the Roman Theatre at Palmyra in Syria was left unfinished with only the ima cavea? (19 November 2012)
  11. ... that the Roman Theatre at Apamea in Syria is one of the largest surviving theatres of the Roman world? (9 November 2012)
  12. ... that the second-millennium-BC stele of Baal with Thunderbolt shows the king of Ugarit receiving divine protection from the Semitic god of storm Baʿal? (6 November 2012)
  13. ... that during the Great Syrian Revolt of 1925, al-Qurayya served as the chief meeting place for the sheikhs of local rebel clans? (6 November 2012)
  14. ... that Ottoman sultan Selim I ordered construction of a tower in Ghabaghib, a stop on the hajj route from Damascus? (4 November 2012)
  15. ... that the town of al-Dana in northern Syria is identified with "Adennu", the first Aramaean city to be captured by Assyrian emperor Shalmaneser III? (26 October 2012)
     
    The mural painting of the investiture of Zimrilim
  16. ... that the 18th-century BC fresco the Investiture of Zimrilim (pictured) depicts the king of ancient Mari receiving the symbols of rule from the goddess Ishtar? (25 October 2012)
  17. ... that the Church of Julianos in the village of Barad in northern Syria, was one of two three-aisled basilicas in the Dead Cities? (23 October 2012)
     
    Postern gate of the Royal Palace of Ugarit with walls leaning 25 degrees
  18. ... that the Royal Palace (gate pictured) of ancient Ugarit in Syria had fortification walls whose base sloped outward 45 degrees? (22 October 2012)
     
    Statue of the praying figure of Ebih-Il from ancient Mari
  19. ... that the lapis lazuli inlays used in the 25th-century BC Statue of Ebih-Il (pictured), discovered in ancient Mari in Syria, were imported from as far east as Afghanistan? (20 October 2012)
  20. ... that the 6th-millennium BC settlement of Tell Sabi Abyad in northern Syria featured multi-room rectangular buildings with round structures called tholoi that were probably used for storage? (15 October 2012)
  21. ... that Abd al-Karim al-Jundi presided over the state appropriation of Syrian farm land from its traditional owners after becoming the minister of agrarian reform? (14 October 2012)
  22. ... that by the time of his death in 1764 BC, Yarim-Lim I, king of Yamhad (modern-day Aleppo, Syria) was said to be the "mightiest ruler in the Near East outside of Egypt"? (11 October 2012)
  23. ... that Shibtu, wife of Zimrilim and queen consort of the ancient city-state of Mari, was described as "the most prominent of the Mari ladies"? (9 October 2012)
  24. ... that the name of the Syrian town Taftanaz is likely of Hittite origin? (6 October 2012)
  25. ... that following the capture of Baldwin I of Edessa in 1104, the inhabitants of al-Fu'ah, Sarmin and Maarrat Misrin in northern Syria revolted against their Crusader rulers? (5 October 2012)
  26. ... that former Syrian chief-of-staff, Anwar Bannud, was the only Syrian officer to reach a rank of colonel under the French mandate?
  27. ... that former Syrian prime minister Nasuhi al-Bukhari resigned after only three months in office when talks to ratify the Franco-Syrian Treaty of Independence broke down?
  28. ... that Muhammad al-Khuli was removed as the Syrian Air Force Intelligence chief by Hafez al-Assad due to international pressure regarding Khuli's alleged involvement in the Hindawi affair? (26 September 2012)
  29. ... that a Roman inscription at the Syrian town of Darkush on the Orontes River attests to the existence of a shipbuilding industry for river-going boats in the town? (24 September 2012)
  30. ... that al-Shaykh Saad in the Hauran region of Syria was mentioned by several Christian scholars and pilgrims, including Eusebius, Egeria and Jerome, as the town of St. Job? (23 September 2012)
  31. ... that the town and refugee camp of Khan Dannun in Syria was originally a basalt caravanserai built by the Mamluk governor of Damascus in 1376? (23 September 2012)
  32. ... that the Syrian village of al-Mushannaf has a well-preserved temple, dated to the first century BC, that was dedicated to Zeus and Athena? (22 September 2012)
  33. ... that the Syrian town of Assal al-Ward was long famous for its flower produce which supplied the attar makers of nearby Damascus? (21 September 2012)
  34. ... that Sultan al-Atrash's decisive victory near the town of al-Mazraa in 1925, inspired Syrian nationalists in Damascus and the countryside to join the rebellion against the French occupation? (18 September 2012)
  35. ... that the archaeological mound at Tell Aran in northern Syria is the largest tell in the Aleppo region? (16 September 2012)
  36. ... that excavations at the town of Jayrud in the Qalamoun Mountains of Syria produced microliths, blades, scrapers and other lithic tools dating back to the Natufian culture? (16 September 2012)
  37. ... that a stele of Egyptian king Seti I was found built into the wall of a local house in the village of Tell Shihab in southern Syria? (16 September 2012)
  38. ... that the Phoenician settlement of Tell Sukas in modern Syria was located at the center of the fertile plain of Jableh on a hill with access to two natural harbors? (16 September 2012)
  39. ... that the town of Muzayrib in southern Syria served as the first major resting place along the Hajj caravan route from Damascus to Mecca during the Ottoman era? (13 September 2012)
  40. ... that the town of Jindires in Syria was the site of a decisive Roman victory against the Parthians in 38 BC? (12 September 2012)
  41. ... that according to T. E. Lawrence, the Syrian town of Tafas was the site of an infamous massacre perpetrated by retreating Ottoman troops during World War I? (9 September 2012)
  42. ... that the DOX BOX International Documentary Film Festival, founded by Syrian filmmaker Orwa Nyrabia in 2008, quickly grew into the most important documentary film gathering in the Arab world? (5 September 2012)
  43. ... that Tuhama Ma'rouf of the Syrian Communist Labour Party was designated a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International after her arrest in February 2011? (8 February 2012)
  44. ... that cuneiform tablets found at the ancient city-state of Ugarit include several letters of reprimand sent to its king Ibiranu by Hittite overlords? (3 February 2012)
  45. ... that former Syrian prime minister, Lutfi al-Haffar (pictured), was an active participant and organizer of the 1936 Syrian general strike? (1 February 2012)
     
    Ruins of the Temple of Amrit
  46. ... that the Phoenician ruins (temple pictured) of the ancient city of Amrit, near Tartus in Syria, are preserved in their entirety without extensive remodeling by later generations? (30 January 2012)
     
    Prime Minister Sabri al-Asali
  47. ... that former prime minister of Syria Sabri al-Asali (pictured) was part of the delegation that attended the founding of the Arab League in Cairo in 1945? (28 January 2012)
  48. ... that Afif al-Bizri, as chief of staff of the Syrian Army, forced Prime Minister Sabri al-Assali to follow a pro-Nasser policy under threat of arrest? (14 January 2012)
  49. ... that Abdullah Atfeh was the first chief of staff of the Syrian Army following the country's independence? (12 January 2012)
  50. ... that Muhsin al-Barazi, former prime minister of Syria, conducted secret negotiations with Israel and discussed the possibility of a summit between Ben-Gurion and al-Za'im in 1949? (11 January 2012)
  51. ... that in early 2010 reporters claimed that an unprecedented attack on Jordan was targeted at both terrorists from Al-Qaida and U.S. military bases? (1 April 2011)
  52. ... that the Supreme Constitutional Court, as defined by the Syrian constitution, may not examine laws passed by a referendum? (26 March 2011)
  53. ... that Article 8 of the Syrian Constitution stipulates that the Ba'ath Party is the "leading party in the society and the state"? (19 March 2011)
  54. ... that the Syrian Constitution guarantees a 50% quota of the People's Assembly for workers and peasants? (18 March 2011)
  55. ... that Murad Pasha Mosque in Damascus, Syria, served as a center for the Naqshbandi Sufi order? (12 March 2011)
  56. ... that during the tenure of the Abbasid governor al-Fadl ibn Salih, the Egyptian cities of al-Fustat and al-Askar were merged into one large city? (7 March 2011)
  57. ... that offerings in the 4000-year old temple of Al-Rawda, Syria, came from as far as Egypt, Afghanistan and India? (1 March 2011)
  58. ... that finds at the prehistoric Neolithic Tell Ghoraifé, located 22 kilometres (14 mi) east of Damascus, Syria, show the evolution that took place over a millennium, from wild to domesticated barley? (1 March 2011)
  59. ... that the ancient Street Called Straight of Damascus, Syria, still connects the eastern gate (pictured) of the old city with the western one? (27 February 2011)
     
    Bab Sharqi (Eastern Gate) of Damascus
  60. ... that pottery boat models found at Tell Mashnaqa, northeastern Syria, suggest that people of the Khabur region had already made use of boats for transport and fishing by c. 5000 BC, if not before? (24 February 2011)
  61. ... that the prehistoric Neolithic Tell Ramad, located 20 kilometres (12 mi) southwest of Damascus in Syria, is considered one of the few sites fundamental to our understanding of the origin of agriculture? (24 February 2011)
  62. ... that Niqmepa was installed as King of Ugarit, an ancient city-state in northwest Syria, by Hittite king Mursili II, who had forced his brother, Arhalba, to abdicate? (24 February 2011)
  63. ... that Khabur ware pottery was named after the Khabur River region in northeastern Syria, where large quantities of it were found by archaeologist Max Mallowan at the site of Chagar Bazar? (22 February 2011)
  64. ... that Syrian political cartoonist Ali Farzat's 1989 exhibition at the Arab World Institute in Paris brought him a death threat from Iraqi President Saddam Hussein? (22 February 2011)
  65. ... that Saleh al-Ali led one of the first Syrian rebellions against the French mandate, and was sentenced to death in absentia by a French court-martial? (21 February 2011)
  66. .. that former Syrian chief of staff Ali Aslan was considered the "operational brain" of the Syrian Army during the 1990s? (19 February 2011)
  67. ... that in July 2003, amidst improving ties, Muhammad Mustafa Mero became the first Syrian prime minister to visit neighboring Turkey in 17 years? (19 February 2011)
  68. ... that while Syrian President Hafez al-Assad was ill in 1983, Hikmat al-Shihabi, chief of staff of the Syrian Army, and Ali Duba, head of the Military Intelligence, were part of an interim ruling committee? (18 February 2011)
  69. ... that despite being of Kurdish origins, Syrian writer Salim Barakat is considered one of the most innovative poets and novelists writing in the Arabic language? (15 February 2011)
  70. ... that the mausoleum of Saladin was rebuilt in 1898 under the patronage of German Emperor Wilhelm II after he visited Damascus and found the tomb in a state of disrepair? (15 April 2010)
  71. ... that the Ebla tablets, found in ancient Ebla, Syria and date back to 2500 BC, reveal that the city produced a range of beers, including one that appears to be named "Ebla"? (13 April 2010)
  72. ... that Bouthaina Shaaban, a former Minister of Expatriates of Syria, has been described as the Syrian "regime's face to the outside world"? (11 April 2010)
  73. ... that there were no women among the 172 deputies elected to the Parliament of Syria in the 1961 parliamentary elections? (9 April 2010)
  74. ... that the People's Party of Syria was established in 1948 as the main opposition party to the National Party? (9 April 2010)
  75. ... that Hammam Yalbugha, a public bath in Aleppo, Syria, was built in 1491 by the Emir of Aleppo, Yalbugha al-Naseri? (4 April 2010)
  76. ... that one of the frescoes found at the royal palace in Mari, Syria, depicts in the center the "investiture of Zimrilim" by a warrior-goddess, most probably Ishtar? (2 April 2010)
  77. ... that the forests of Syria, celebrated throughout ancient times for their richness, have been reduced to their present-day area of 4,500 square kilometres (1,700 sq mi)? (29 March 2010)
  78. ... that the Yalbugha Mosque was built in 1264 by Mamluk princes in Damascus, Syria? (28 March 2010)
  79. ... that before entering politics, two-time prime minister Said al-Ghazzi was one of the leading lawyers in Syria? (26 March 2010)
  80. ... that the Citadel of Damascus (pictured) in Syria was built not on the top of a hill, but on flat ground, at the same level as the rest of Damascus city? (21 March 2010)
     
    Citadel of Damascus
  81. ... that a chance discovery in 1928 by a local farmer in Minet el-Beida led to the excavation of ancient Ugarit in Syria? (20 March 2010)
  82. ... that Al-Kahf Castle in al-Ansariyah mountains was the last Ismaili stronghold in Syria to surrender to the Mamluks? (20 March 2010)
  83. ... that Haqqi al-Azm, a former prime minister of Syria, was also the first governor of the State of Damascus under the French mandate? (18 March 2010)
  84. ... that the Temple of Bel (pictured), dedicated in 32 AD, formed the center of religious life in Palmyra, Syria and is considered its "best preserved" ruin? (18 March 2010)
     
    Temple of Bel
  85. ... that the Ghab valley swamp in northwest Syria was drained between 1953 and 1968, providing an extra 41,000 hectares (160 sq mi) of irrigated lands? (17 March 2010)
  86. ... that the Roman theatre of Bosra (pictured), built in the 2nd-century AD in Bosra, Syria, is the largest, most complete and best preserved of all the Roman theatres in the Middle East? (13 March 2010)
     
    The Roman theatre of Bosra
  87. ... that between 1725 and 1783, members of the prominent Damascene family al-Azm held power as walis in Damascus, Syria, for 47 years? (12 March 2010)
  88. ... that Ras Ibn Hani, a small cape located 8 km north of Latakia, Syria, was occupied almost continuously from the late Bronze Age until Byzantine times? (13 August 2009)
  89. ... that Khan al-Harir, built by Darwish Pasha, the Ottoman governor of Damascus, was the first great caravanserai to be built inside the old city walls of Damascus? (8 August 2009)
  90. ... that Abdel Hamid Sarraj, at age 35, was the minister of interior in the United Arab Republic and the most powerful Syrian official in the UAR? (3 August 2009)
  91. ... that the Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa in Tartus, built by the Crusaders in the mid-12th century, is among the best-preserved religious structures of the crusades? (1 August 2009)
  92. ... that the Azm Palace in Hama, Syria, has been regarded as "one of the loveliest Ottoman residential buildings in Syria"? (31 July 2009)
  93. ... that Al-Firdaws Madrasa, established in 1236 under the patronage of Malik az-Zahir's wife, Dayfa Khatun, is the largest and best known of the Ayyubid madrasas in Aleppo? (7 March 2009)
     
  94. ... that the Tekkiye Mosque (pictured), built by the architect Sinan, has been described as "the finest example in Damascus of Ottoman architecture"? (22 February 2009)
     
  95. ... that Khan As'ad Pasha (pictured), built by Damascus governor As'ad Pasha al-Azem, is the largest khan in the city? (16 February 2009)

Barnstars edit

  The WikiJaguar Award for Excellence
-for super-quickly solving my "pomegranate" problem, +for all your other great edits: Shukran! Huldra (talk) 13:34, 18 November 2012 (UTC)
  Here's to observant editors. May you have many more satisfying years. And may we be likewise blessed with your contribution. 7&6=thirteen () 01:55, 14 November 2012 (UTC)
 

The Award of the Arabian Barnstar

 
For your excellent work on articles related to the Arab world, past and present. More editors like you are needed! Constantine 08:34, 27 September 2012 (UTC)
  Syrian topics
Thank you for sharing your knowledge about Syrian people, culture, places and history in quality articles, - you are an awesome Wikipedian! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:28, 26 September 2012 (UTC)
  Syrian Barnstar of National Merit
For your excellent and much needed work on Syrian villages and routing out missing articles. ♦ Dr. Blofeld 09:42, 16 September 2012 (UTC)
  The 50 DYK Creation and Expansion Medal
Congratulations! Your work to create and expand articles about the Middle East has resulted in more than 50 such articles mentioned at "Did you know?" on the Main page. Thank you for helping to expand the global coverage of English Wikipedia! Binksternet (talk) 02:46, 29 March 2012 (UTC)
  The Tireless Contributor Barnstar
Seems to be the best-fitting barnstar I could give you my friend. This is for your tireless efforts at creating high-quality Syria-related articles and continously improving existing ones. Keep up the great work! Al Ameer son (talk) 05:27, 24 February 2011 (UTC)
  The 25 DYK Creation and Expansion Medal
OK, I know there were buildings in Syria (or at least I guess I did). And I now know that these buildings existed before you wrote about them. But the important point is that we now know about them and anyone else in the world can too. Thanks from me and the wiki... 50? Victuallers (talk) 18:06, 12 April 2010 (UTC)
  The Original Barnstar
For your many fine contributions, including article starts like Royal palace of Mari, Yalbugha Mosque and Forests of Syria, among others, it is my pleasure to give you this small token of appreciation. Thanks for helping to bring knowledge of an underrepresented subject area to English-speaking readers. Keep up the great work. Tiamuttalk 08:44, 26 March 2010 (UTC)
 
Syrian Barnstar of National Merit. Awarded to Zozo for his outstanding contributions and efforts to improve coverage of Syrian topics (21 March 2010)
  Syrian Hawk of National Merit
Awarded for contribution to WikiProject Syria, for reviving the project, and bringing Hims to Good article status. Let's keep pushing forward! - Al Ameer son (talk) 01:12, 11 March 2009 (UTC)
  The Original Barnstar
I, Spencer, award you this barnstar for your excellent work on making Hims a GA! SpencerT♦Nominate! 23:41, 10 March 2009 (UTC)