A raft of new Syrian blogs have appeared. Josh Landis reports that there were only 5 Syrian blogs at the start of the year. But 2005 wouldn't be just any old year in the history of Syria - this is how Ayman marked the turn of the year. In the following months, 60 new blogs would spring up (including this one, in February).

This week sees more new blogs. Every Syrian school child learns about the eight gates of Damascus. But what about the hidden gates? This blog discusses Syria's underground religions. Earlier in the year I had a huge response to my post about Syria's Jews.

Ihsan discovers his country, in pictures and history. It's shaping up to be a Syrian version of Ayman's Damascene Blog.

The following months are sure to see many more.