Damascus, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, stands as a jewel of Islamic civilization with the magnificent Umayyad Mosque at its heart, built in 715 CE and housing the shrine of John the Baptist. The city served as the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate and features countless historic mosques, madrasas, and traditional Islamic architecture throughout its ancient quarters. As a major center of Islamic learning and culture for over 1,300 years, Damascus continues to be home to a vibrant Muslim community that preserves its rich religious and cultural heritage.