Devastated by war, farmers return life to Syria’s ‘oasis’

Devastated by war, farmers return life to Syria’s ‘oasis’

DARAYYA/DOUMA — In the 12th century, the Andalusian poet and traveler Ibn Jubayr described the agricultural lands around Damascus as “the halo around the moon.”  “Its green valley extends east as far as the eye can see: wherever you look on four sides, your gaze meets ripe fruit. Those who said, ‘If paradise is on earth, then without doubt Damascus is part of it…’ spoke the truth,” he wrote, while travelling through the Syrian capital.  Damascus…