The new Syria is a land of firsts: for the first time many Syrians are openly criticising the authorities, sharing stories of missing relatives and talking about foreign currency in public − all banned under former president Bashar Al Assad.
For creatives, it is their first taste of artistic freedom after years of repression.
Last week, a young and artsy crowd gathered at the Zawaya Art Gallery in Damascus for the first screening in Syria of Stars in Broad Daylight, an iconic 1988 movie by Ossama Mohammed that was banned decades ago by the Assad regime and Baath Party.
The event was organised by the Damascus Film Salon, a new cultural initiative, and was followed by a debate with the director, who has lived in exile for more than 10 years.
“The screening of Ossama Mohammed’s film now is a dream come true,” said Haya Hasani, a young artist at the event. “It symbolises the end of Assad’s Syria and the beginning of a new Syria − the Syria of the people.”
The multi-award-winning film tells the story of two families preparing for a double wedding in a coastal Alawite village – the sect to which the Assad family belongs. The protagonist is a metaphor for Hafez Al Assad, father of Bashar Al Assad and his predecessor as Syrian leader.
The movie character is a patriarchal figure whose authoritarian tendencies lead to the disintegration of his family.
“The reason for organising the salon is to celebrate the end of 46 years of censorship, which began with Hafez,” said George Achkar, one of the organisers. “People are thirsty for real cinema rather than propaganda. The stupid censorship was limiting filmmakers' creativity.”
The packed venue for Stars in Broad Daylight was filled with enthusiastic faces embracing their new-found freedoms, which have blossomed since rebels overthrew more than 50 years of Assad family rule in a lightning offensive last month.
Damascus has long been a cultural hub, with galleries, salons and exhibitions, but these were all tightly controlled in the past, especially for content remotely political.
“If you wanted to get permission to organise cultural events the official way, it was very complicated. You had to know people,” Ms Hasani told The National.
Bypassing official procedures was a risky business. “Doing something outside the Baathist institutions carried the risk of being reported to the security branches,” said Ms Hasani, who was denounced for staging an independent cultural event that was outside the oversight of intelligence services.
“Many informants were within our ranks,” she added.
Red lines
Under Bashar Al Assad, censorship infiltrated every aspect of the creative process. Said Al Hanawi, a playwright, told The National that before they could put on a show, artists needed approval from a “committee of readers” that dictated red lines and imposed amendments.
“But that was not enough. Then there was a second committee in front of which we performed, and which was studying every movement − the music, the lyrics, the acting … And then they would give us the final approval. But it was conditional: there couldn’t be a single sentence outside of the approved text, or they would stop the performance immediately.”
Members of the intelligence services were often present at theatrical shows to ensure compliance, he added. “There were forbidden topics − anything related to politics was off limits, but we could talk about the economic crisis.”
Censorship now appears to have vanished, but Syrian artists remain cautious about the future. Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, the Islamists who lead the new government, were formerly affiliated with Al Qaeda before breaking ties with the group in 2016 and attempting to rebrand as moderates.
“Who knows what might be censored next? For now, we are showing what we want,” said Mr Achkar. “We should remain optimistic but careful, and remain confident that we are smart enough to keep it this way.”
Ms Hasani said she believes the worst is in the past and that Syrians are ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
“The Syrian people who overthrew Assad are capable of overthrowing anyone else, because his was the most violent, inhumane and brutal form of oppression.”
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The%20specs
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More from our neighbourhood series:
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m, Winner SS Lamea, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer).
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m, Winner AF Makerah, Sean Kirrane, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m, Winner Maaly Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,600m, Winner AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m, Winner Morjanah Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 2,200m, Winner Mudarrab, Jim Crowley, Erwan Charpy
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
THE SPECS
Aston Martin Rapide AMR
Engine: 6.0-litre V12
Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic
Power: 595bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh999,563
UAE squad to face Ireland
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.