E/CN.4/1993/62 page 102 Victor Eli Khaskah University of Damascus Physics Joseph Nuri al-Kad’ " " Mechanical engineering Arlette Moise Sa’adya " " Pharmacology Laila Yusuf Futaiha " " " Rosette Eli Maisur " " Medicine 14. The incidence of marriage and the percentage of married couples among the members of the Jewish faith living in the Syrian Arab Republic varies in the three towns of Damascus, Aleppo and Qamishli in view of the differing sizes of their respective populations. Over the last 10 years (1981-1991), there have been 229 marriages at Damascus, 55 at Aleppo and 6 at Qamishli. The members of the Jewish faith have their own religious court which supervises marriage, divorce and other such matters in accordance with the precepts of the Jewish religion. The court is presided over by Ibrahim Hamra, the Chief Rabbi. 15. The Syrian Arab Republic has preserved the Jewish cemeteries, not only at Damascus but also in the other governorates inhabited by Jews. The cemeteries have also received particular attention in so far as many roads have been diverted around them for this purpose, which has not been the case with other cemeteries and places belonging to other faiths. 16. The members of the Jewish faith annually celebrate a number of different religious festivals. They perform their religious rites in complete freedom and have Saturday as their weekly holiday. Details of their festivals are as follows: Feast of Dedication 25 December 8 days New Year for Trees 15 February Feast of Lots 14-15 March Passover 15-22 April Revelation of the Torah (Pentecost) 6-7 June Commemoration of the Destruction of the First and Second Temples 9 August Jewish New Year 1-2 October Day of Atonement 10 October Feast of Tabernacles 15-22 October Rejoicing of the Law 23 October Feast of Supplications and Prayers September and early October.