Quietly, quietly: One significant event recently occurred in Damascus, in al-Julani's Syria

The appearance of Syrian singer Asala Nasri in Damascus, under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture of the al-Sharaa regime, marks a significant cultural shift. The performance, which took place on September 17, conveys pragmatic openness on the part of the regime, against a backdrop of criticism from conservative elements who called for its cancellation. The Minister of Culture attended and delivered a welcoming speech, emphasizing Nasri's criticism of the Assad regime.

The appearance of Syrian singer Asala Nasri in Damascus on September 17, under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture of the al-Sharaa regime, is a cultural event with broad political and social implications. Nasri, a native of Damascus and one of the most successful singers in the Arab world, was previously boycotted in Syria due to her criticism of the Syrian Artists Syndicate and the Assad regime, and was denied entry to the country. Ahead of the performance, a statement was published calling for the removal of the Ministry of Culture's patronage, claiming the event does not align with the values of Syrian society. Among the signatories were two parliament members and ministry employees. However, the Minister of Culture not only did not withdraw his patronage but attended and delivered a welcoming speech. He emphasized Nasri's criticism of the Assad regime and clarified that Syrian society will remain open while preserving its values. The minister expressed hope that the singer's return would lead to the return of all Syrian refugees and displaced persons. The performance itself was a great success, and the audience included senior figures of the current Syrian society. The Arab media reacted positively and wondered whether the event would affect the status of women in the country. The analysis notes that holding the performance serves the pragmatic image of the al-Sharaa regime, but a confrontation with conservative circles is expected.