In a further continuation of the Arab Spring developments aka history unrolling before our very eyes, clerics in Syria are now speaking out against the regime. Sariya al-Rifai, a pillar of the orthodox clerical establishment, has broken ranks with the government and is openly warning President al-Assad to stop the crackdown, citing its being an unholy and bloody gift to give his people now at the start of the month-long Islamic fast and holiday of Ramadan.