I love history and ancient architecture but what IS has done to Palmyra truly saddens me. It’s not the first time that civilizations have wiped out other civilizations to leave only whispers of an unknown past. You have conquest, you have destruction, but this is true obliteration.

What I am confused at is that IS are destroying Islamic-Syrian-Persian identity. These places were used as places of worship by ancient Islam, so were blessed as sacred ground. There is also destruction of what IS call idols but are in fact most likely busts or full statues representing real people from the past. Ancient art destroyed, looted and sold.

I am truly sorry that the majority of the Syrian people have to leave the country they love because of this war. I just wish for IS to understand that they are not destroying our history but more likely their future.

• BBC News: Palmyra’s Temple of Bel ‘destroyed’