It has become common for Syria's opposition to blame the government of President Bashar al-Assad for explosions that hit residential areas in Damascus. The latest blast - in a mosque that killed the country's top cleric, Sheikh Mohammad al-Bouti, his grandson, and 40 others - was no different.
Dissidents, including the head of the Syrian National Coalition, Mouaz al-Khatib, have alleged al-Bouti, a vocal supporter of Assad, was assassinated this week by regime insiders. Many believe he had been on the verge of announcing his defection.
Al-Bouti's daughter, Sumayya, however, said that her father could not have changed his position. She said those who killed him were "unjust" and "criminal" - but refused to say who she thought might have been responsible for his death.
"My father's position is clear. It was based on conviction and religious texts. He believed one should not disobey [the ruler]. Disobeying may lead to strife and strife would lead to a cycle of more disorder," she said, speaking from Saudi Arabia.
Since the early days of the uprising, which started in March 2011, al-Bouti had dismissed anti-government protesters as a bunch of mercenaries and saluted the Syrian Army in its fight against Assad's enemies.
Sumayya said her father believed that changing reality required patience.
"He preached for patience and advocacy, rather than violence and bloodshed," said the 52-year-old.
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/2013/03/201332414592444794.html