Syrian singers: Please don't strike here
As Western nations condemn Assad regime for use of chemical weapons against its citizens, group of Syrian artists pledge allegiance to president, beg Obama not to strike
The August 21 chemical attack that cost the lives of 1,400 Syrians has almost the entire world rallying against Bashar Assad, as the US sets for a military strike in the Arab country.
But lately, Assad has been garnering significant encouragement from the artistic arena in his country. Several famous Syrian artists who are loyal to the Damascus regime have vowed their absolute resistance to an American strike in Syria and have taken action on the matter.
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Syrian singer Nadya Manfoukh was scheduled to hold several concerts in the US, but according to reports in Arab media, she canceled them as a sign of solidarity with Assad and in protest of the planned US intervention.
The singer, who was a contender in the first season of "Arab Idol", said no country should be involved in Syria and that the crisis in her country is an internal matter.
Manfoukh joins Arab singer Farah Youssef, the star of the latest series of "Arab Idol", who sent a message to none other than US President Barack Obama, beseeching: "Please, don't strike Syria, my country. My heart is full of pain like the hearts of all Syrians. Please do not cause more pain."
Sara Farah, star of the "Star Academy" reality show, tweeted: "At the end of the day I'm a singer and I don't want to get into politics, but shame on you, Obama. Syria is not any other country. Allah is with us and God save you my soul. Syria, you are the world."
The "Assad's singers attack" against the American president garnered mockery in Syrian opposition circles. "You have to take under consideration the president doesn't even know the artists' names."
Al-Qaeda rebels take Christian village
Meanwhile in Syria, rebel forces, some affiliated with al-Qaeda, overtook the Christian village of Maaloula northeast of the capital and forced hundreds of the villagers out of their homes.
The battle over Maaloula, a village that has two of the oldest convents in Syria, reflects the fear of many Syrian minorities of the huge role extremist Islamists are playing within rebel forces.
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