AGP Executive Report

Children’s Support: Lionel Messi’s foundation helped fund 20 classrooms in Syria in 2017, benefiting more than 1,600 children affected by conflict. Damascus Heritage: A new guide to Old Damascus highlights the reopened National Museum and the city’s historic landmarks. Syrian Music: Dubai’s WASLA festival returns November 28 with Syrian duo TootArd among its lineup; proceeds will support displaced Arab families through UNHCR. Film Talent: Syrian filmmaker Rama Abdi is among five rising Arab talents selected for El Gouna Film Festival’s development program.

Music: Dubai’s WASLA festival returns on November 28 with Syrian duo TootArD alongside Marcel Khalife and Le Trio Joubran; all proceeds will support displaced Arab families through UNHCR. Television: Syrian actress Jumana Murad is set to star in a 15-episode drama for the 2027 Ramadan season. Film: Syrian filmmaker Rama Abdi is among five Arab talents selected for El Gouna Film Festival’s Rising Stars program, which backs emerging industry professionals. Heritage: Musician Nagham Debal is bringing the qanun into focus, while Abu Tareq is sharing the rababa’s story with a new generation.

Live Music: Dubai’s WASLA festival returns November 28 with Syrian duo TootArd alongside Marcel Khalife and Le Trio Joubran; all proceeds will support displaced families through UNHCR. Syrian Film Talent: Filmmaker Rama Abdi is among five Arab creatives selected for El Gouna’s Rising Stars program, which backs emerging industry talent. TV Drama: Syrian actress Jumana Murad is set to star in a 15-episode series for Ramadan 2027. Music Heritage: Kurdish singer Xebat Kobanê is keeping song central to his life after war, while Abu Tareq is passing the rababa’s story on to future generations.

Television: Syrian actress Jumana Murad is joining the Ramadan 2027 drama season in a 15-episode series, following her lead role in last year’s family drama The Color Blue. Music and Heritage: Syrian musician Abu Tareq is keeping rababa traditions alive by passing the instrument’s story to younger generations; Kurdish musician Xebat Kobanê is also drawing attention for his devotion to song. Sport: Syrian heavyweight Abdulmanem Kabbani is back in the spotlight, taking on Turkey’s Fatih Ulusoy in Dubai and carrying on his father’s boxing legacy.

Concert Watch: Rabat’s Royal Theater warned fans about fake concert listings that falsely advertised Syrian singer Assala Nasri among Arab stars. Television: Syrian actress Jumana Murad is set to lead a 15-episode series in the Ramadan 2027 drama season. Boxing: Syrian heavyweight Abdulmanem Kabbani returned to the spotlight in Dubai, where he was scheduled to face Fatih Ulusoy; he has represented the UAE in recent years. Music and Heritage: A profile highlighted Kurdish war veteran Xebat Kobanê’s devotion to music, while a report on a Syrian Trojan War mosaic drew attention to Amazon figures with names little known to history.

Music: Syrian-born qanun player Nagham Debal is bringing the instrument to new audiences with original compositions and fresh takes on familiar repertoire. Football: Syria’s Al-Ittihad begins its AFC Challenge League group campaign in Bhutan, facing Paro, Ahal and Al-Ansar. Cultural Heritage: Features spotlight a Syrian Trojan War mosaic with unusual Amazons’ names, rababa player Abu Tareq’s work passing on musical heritage, and Kurdish war veteran Xebat Kobanê’s devotion to song.

Art and Memory: Lara Baladi’s Cairo exhibition Z for Zarafa turns an archive of revolution into an exploration of resistance, migration and exile. Syrian Music: Syrian musician Nagham Debal is bringing the qanun to new audiences, stepping beyond Arabic classics with original compositions and inventive covers. Living Heritage: In Jordan’s Zaatari camp, Syrian rababa player Abu Tareq teaches young people, makes instruments and performs, helping pass on a folk tradition. Music and Song: Kurdish musician Xebat Kobanê, a war veteran devoted to music, is celebrated for keeping song at the heart of his life. Ancient Syria: A newly reported Trojan War mosaic from Syria names Amazons not recorded in ancient histories.

Qanun in the Spotlight: Syrian musician Nagham Debal is taking the qanun beyond traditional ensembles, blending Arabic classics, original compositions and unexpected covers to introduce the instrument to new audiences. Keeping Folk Music Alive: At Jordan’s Zaatari camp, Syrian musician Abu Tareq teaches young people to play the rababa, make the instrument and carry its music and poetry forward. Art as Resistance: An upcoming London exhibition will feature Syrian women artists alongside artists from seven other conflict-affected countries, exploring memory, displacement and hope through art. Ancient Heritage: A Syrian Trojan War mosaic is drawing attention for naming Amazons little known from historical accounts.

Folk Music: Syrian musician Ziad al-Masri, known as Abu Tareq, is teaching young people in Jordan’s Zaatari camp to play the rababa, while making instruments and performing poetry to keep the tradition alive. Art & Memory: A London exhibition opening October 28 will feature work by Syrian women artists alongside artists from seven other conflict-affected countries, exploring memory, displacement and resilience. Syrian Stories on Stage: Refugee Rhapsody, now playing in Pittsburgh, follows Fouad, who came to the US from Syria as a boy, in a darkly comic drama about refugees and the people drawn into their lives. Celebrity Encounter: Syrian barber Rabie al-Hussein recalled being stunned when he arrived to cut Cristiano Ronaldo’s hair in Sweden—and discovering his famous client only when the hotel-room door opened.

Arab Cinema: Cairo’s 47th International Film Festival will screen 145 films from 64 countries, while Syrian actor Ghassan Massoud will receive a world-cinema contribution award at Bahrain’s film festival in November. Syrian Music: War veteran Xebat Kobanê, whose legs were paralysed in combat, plays the saz and sings for fellow veterans. Heritage: A Trojan War mosaic from Syria has revealed names of Amazons previously unknown to history. Cultural Showcase: Dubai’s Global Village has opened its new season, with refreshed façades at the Syria Pavilion and cultural attractions from more than 90 cultures.

Music: Xebat Kobanê, a war veteran from North and East Syria, continues to play saz and sing for fellow veterans despite an injury that left his legs paralysed. Film: Syrian actor Ghassan Massoud will receive a contribution to world cinema award at the Bahrain International Film Festival, running November 5–10. Cultural Heritage: Aleppo’s Great Umayyad Mosque has reopened after 13 years. Syrian Culture Abroad: Dubai’s Global Village opened its new season today, with a refreshed façade for the Syria pavilion.

Damascus Basketball: Sharjah reached the Damascus Basketball Cup quarterfinals despite an 88–73 loss to Syria’s Al Wahda, which finished the group stage strongly. Syrian Drama: The first poster for Black Love, an Arabic adaptation starring Syrian actors Samer Ismail and Yamen Al-Hajali, is out ahead of its October 18 Shahid premiere. Oscar Race: Syria has selected The Other Side of the Sun as its entry for the international feature film category. Heritage: Aleppo’s 1,300-year-old Great Umayyad Mosque has reopened after 13 years, marking a major moment for the city’s cultural life. Archaeology: A Syrian Trojan War mosaic names Amazons not previously known to history.

Syrian Heritage: Archaeologists will present the fourth-century Rastan mosaic at the Collège de France on November 6, highlighting figures named nowhere else in ancient records. Cinema: Syria has selected The Other Side of the Sun for the international feature Oscar race. Culture Abroad: Dubai’s Global Village opens its new season on October 14 with a redesigned Syria pavilion. Architecture: Aleppo’s Great Umayyad Mosque has reopened after 13 years. Music: Syrian singer Assala is beginning her first US concert tour this month.

Film: Syria has selected The Other Side of the Sun for the Oscars’ international feature race. Cinema Honors: Syrian actor Ghassan Massoud will be recognized for his contribution to world cinema at Bahrain Film Festival in November; Egyptian star Yousra will receive its Lifetime Achievement Award. Fashion: Syrian designer Hazem Kais won the Special Jury Prize at the Arab Fashion Awards in Paris. Damascus Sports: Sharjah topped its group at the Damascus International Basketball Championship after beating Lebanon’s Antranik 95–86. Heritage: Aleppo’s 1,300-year-old Great Umayyad Mosque has reopened after 13 years. Music: Assala is set to begin her first US concert tour this month.

Cinema: Syrian actor Ghassan Massoud will be honoured for his contribution to world cinema at November’s Bahrain Film Festival, where Egyptian star Yousra will receive a lifetime achievement award. Fashion: Syrian designer Hazem Kais won the Special Jury Prize at the Arab Fashion Awards in Paris, among honours celebrating designers from across the region. Syrian Film: Syria has selected The Other Side of the Sun as its entry in the Oscars’ international feature race. Heritage: Aleppo’s 1,300-year-old Great Umayyad Mosque has reopened after 13 years, restoring a landmark of the city’s cultural life. Basketball: Sharjah topped its group at the Damascus International Championship after beating Lebanon’s Antranik 95–86.

Syrian Football: Syria’s U17 women finished their Asian Cup qualifying campaign without a place at the 2027 finals, losing to Malaysia and India in Group E. Film: Syria has selected The Other Side of the Sun as its entry for the Oscars race. Heritage: Aleppo’s 1,300-year-old Great Umayyad Mosque has reopened after 13 years, restoring access to one of the city’s landmark historic sites.