al-Walid

Earlier in the day, themes from Arab and Islamic history were invoked by pupils from the Khalid bin al-Walid school who had decorated a placard with the Qur'anic injunction "Sedition fitna is worse than killing" – a lightly coded reference to the sins of the anti-Gaddafi forces.

Gaddafi threatens retaliation in Mediterranean as UN passes resolution 2011

Defecting soldiers in the town of Rastan, 20 km north of Homs, this month announced the formation of a battalion called "Khaled bin al-Walid," after an Arab Muslim commander who conquered Syria.

Syrian forces kill seven in raids, two police shot Reuters 2011

The defectors have formed the Khaled bin al-Walid battalion in an attempt to start an armed uprising against the regime.

Syria, Libya and Middle East unrest - live updates 2011

Defecting soldiers in the town of Rastan, 20 km north of Homs, this month announced the formation of a battalion called "Khaled bin al-Walid," after an Arab Muslim commander who conquered Syria.

Syrian forces kill seven in raids, two police shot Reuters 2011

Qusayr Amra was probably built by the caliph al-Walid II between 724 and 743 while he was still an amir , or prince.

Snapshot of a Civilization in the Making Christian C. Sahner 2010

Here, we find six kings paying obeisance to members of al-Walid ' s family, who are shown nearby.

Snapshot of a Civilization in the Making Christian C. Sahner 2010

For al-Walid, the hunt was both high sport and political theater, an opportunity to demonstrate his skill and dominance.

Snapshot of a Civilization in the Making Christian C. Sahner 2010

They stand as a probable record of what often took place when al-Walid was in residence — great desert chases, like the hunting parties of ancient Persian literature and pre-Islamic Arabic poetry.

Snapshot of a Civilization in the Making Christian C. Sahner 2010

Qusayr Amra perfectly expressed al-Walid ' s alleged love of debauchery and power.

Snapshot of a Civilization in the Making Christian C. Sahner 2010

Whatever we make of al-Walid, Qusayr Amra offers a snapshot of a civilization in the making.

Snapshot of a Civilization in the Making Christian C. Sahner 2010