On the 10th of August 2013, Syrian authorities arrested leftist activist, journalist and rebel Jihad Muhammad. He has not been heard from since. Untold Stories, alongside Jihad's friends, comrades and family, demands that Syrian authorities reveal his fate. We also ask the international community and organizations working on the issue of political prisoners and human rights to renew their effort to obtain information about his condition.
The renowned Syrian composer Malek Jandali has composed a hymn to the Syrian revolution. In an interview with Falah Elias, he comments on the situation in his homeland and explains why he has no fear of a confessional conflict after the Assad regime has gone
A free Syria can only exist without Assad
The renowned Syrian composer Malek Jandali has composed a hymn to the Syrian revolution. In an interview with Falah Elias, he comments on the situation in his homeland and explains why he has no fear of a confessional conflict after the Assad regime has gone
Mr Jandali, what is your experience of the current situation in Syria?
Malek Jandali: Looking at current events in the wake of the Arab Spring and the Syrian revolution against the Assad regime, we artists must bear new responsibilities. After all, it is the public that bestows us with the title of artist . And art, in its essence, is the search for truth and beauty. It is a mirror of reality. As long as art is subject to restrictions, then it is not truthful and can therefore never really be art.
We are witnessing the fall of humanity
Malek Jandali is considered to be among the most versatile and creative musicians in the Arab world. He has recently attracted widespread international attention for his strong stand against the Assad regime. Martina Sabra met the artist in the country of his birth, Germany
Mr. Jandali, you said you would bring something special with you to our interview?
Malek Jandali: Yes. I have a piece of what’s known as a shepshep here – the front part of a small, colourful rubber slipper. This slipper belongs to a child who managed to escape from Syria to Turkey and survive in spite of heavy bombardments by the Syrian army. Some Syrian students brought it after visiting refugee camps in Turkey and gave it to me in Toronto. This rubber slipper was an item in a charity auction organized on the occasion of my concert in Offenbach, Germany. Thousands of Euros were donated by the audience. This is the most expensive shoe I ever saw. It s not Guc