Syrian actress Sulaf Fawakherji expelled from artists' syndicate over political stance

Dubai: The Syrian Artists Syndicate has officially revoked the membership of acclaimed actress and filmmaker Sulaf Fawakherji, citing her continued support for ousted president Bashar Al Assad and her refusal to explicitly denounce crimes committed by his regime.

The decision was issued based on Article 58 of Law No. 40, Clause 2, Paragraph (b), with the Syndicate stating that Fawakherji had “deviated from the syndicate’s objectives” and shown “disregard for the suffering of the Syrian people.”

The syndicate’s move, led by its head Mazen Al Nattour, followed a series of media appearances in which Fawakherji reiterated her long-standing support for Al Assad. Although she had previously expressed opposition to violence from all sides, her lack of explicit condemnation of the regime’s actions during the Syrian conflict was a key factor in her expulsion.

The decision has sparked widespread debate across social media platforms. Fawakherji is the first Syrian artist to be removed from the union since the fall of the regime, and her case highlights increasing political tensions within the country’s creative institutions.

Critics of the syndicate argue that it has aligned too closely with political agendas, and that its latest decision may deepen divisions among Syrian artists both at home and abroad.

Following the announcement, rumours circulated online that Fawakherji had fled to France and sought political asylum. She later denied these claims in a statement posted on X, clarifying that she resides in Egypt, a country she described as a place of safety, beauty, and acceptance. “Egypt has embraced me and offered what my country did not,” she wrote, reflecting on her emotional connection to her current home.

Born on July 27, 1977, in Latakia, Syria, Sulaf Fawakherji is one of the most recognisable figures in Arab entertainment. Over the course of her career, she has starred in several acclaimed television series and films, including Asmahan (2008), Cleopatra (2010), and Another Rainy Day (2008). In addition to acting, she is also known for her work as a director and filmmaker, earning respect throughout the Arab world for her contributions to contemporary culture.