On 19 May 2008, the Independent on Sunday published a letter on Syria by Arab Media Watch adviser Chris Doyle:

"Matthew Bell's sketch of Damascene life highlights the glories of one of the great ancient cities of the Middle East. ("Take a trip to Damascus - you'll be converted", 11 May 2008)

"But having admitted that the visit shattered a few of his own negative preconceptions it is a pity that he promoted more, about women's dress. Relatively few Syrian women wear the full burqa, and liberal areas are not just restricted to the Christian quarter of the Damascus's Old City. In other areas of Syria, he would have found many other liberal areas and plenty of places - both Muslim and Christian - where women were unveiled, and even wear shorts. The Syrian coastal resorts are a wonderful mix of veils and bikinis.  In some Christian Syrian villages, social customs are more conservative that those of their Muslim neighbours."