MOSTResource.org

Resources on Muslims for the Entertainment Industry

  • Story Bank
    • Business & Technology
    • Entertainment
    • Culture & Lifestyle
    • Medical
    • National
    • Faith
    • Sports
    • Women
    • World
  • Resources
    • Faces & Places
    • Statistics
    • Infographics
    • Research / Reports
    • Quick Takes
  • Perspectives
  • Events
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Staff
    • Parent Organization
    • Videos
  • Story Bank
  • Business & Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Culture & Lifestyle
  • Medical
  • National
  • Faith
  • Sports
  • Women
  • World
mostresource storybank video

Explored Our Story Bank Yet?

Our curated collection of thousands of stories has helped top Hollywood writers, producers, and creatives. Watch our brief video to learn more.

Media & Entertainment, World — September 18, 2017   

A Theater Troupe Grows In Syria

Original article by Abby Sewell published in the Los Angeles Times on 07/30/2017

Photo Credit: Los Angeles Times
Photo Credit: Los Angeles Times

Despite the ongoing civil war which has resulted in more than half the population displaced, a Syrian performance troupe named Saraqeb Youth Group continues to thrive in a small Northwestern town in Syria. The theatre company, named after the town of Saraqeb, encompasses an all volunteer troupe of local actors. Fans say that they find the satirical plays cathartic. “What makes it special is that they are dealing with sad topics like bombing and bloodshed and war — tragic topics — and at the same time they are presenting it in a satirical fashion,” says Hilal, a theatre enthusiast. “We laugh and cry at the same time.”

The troupe was founded in 2006, five years before the start of the war. Founders Ahmad Khatab and Walid Abu Rashid were then artistic teenagers — Khatab played the oud (a stringed instrument used in traditional Arabic music) and Abu Rashid had dreams of becoming an actor. The teens, along with some friends, began writing and performing short satirical plays, with President Assad often at the receiving end of the joke.

Early in the war, the town of Saraqeb was at the center of anti-government protests. Khatab was arrested by security forces and later released. Performances continued throughout the war though were often interrupted by the sound of planes overhead — the audience and performers often having to run for cover. Tragically, two original members of the group were killed during this time, a third joining the exodus of Syrians fleeing the country. In one performance, a grenade was thrown onto the stage – luckily it didn’t explode and no one was hurt.

The latest cease-fire agreement between the government and the rebel groups has recently calmed down the situation in Saraqeb (though rebel factions are still said to be fighting). Despite the horrors of war, troupe members say there was never a question whether they would continue performing. “We believe in the power of the word,” says Khatab. “A rifle or a weapon can liberate a place, but the word can liberate the mind.”

Read more ...

Our Experts Are Here To Help

Want to start a conversation with our experts for help with your project?

Related Articles

  • M Film Lab Now Accepting Applications for Screenwriting Program
  • American Eid – Interview with Director Aqsa Altaf
  • Post vaccine, Muslim travelers are heading to… Israel

More From The Story Bank

Post vaccine, Muslim travelers...

Last year the Abraham Accords were signed between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. This marked a public normalization of relations not seen in decades. And with this new … [Read More...]

Meet the first Muslim head...

As new head coach for the New York Jets, Robert Saleh is making history as the first Muslim American to lead a team in the National Football League. The Lebanese American is also the third Arab … [Read More...]

Meet American’s Youngest...

According to The Hill, Bushra Amiwala "is part of a new generation stepping into politics." In 2019, she was elected to the Skokie Board of Education in Illinois, making this Pakistani-American … [Read More...]

Riz Ahmed Is Oscars’ First...

Riz Ahmed has become the first Muslim nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Academy Awards for Sound of Metal, not long after Mahershala Ali made his own history with two Best Supporting … [Read More...]

More Women Study Physics in...

A recent report from Physics magazine finds that physics departments in many western universities have a "significant gender disparity, with far fewer women than men taking up the subject." However, … [Read More...]

Enter your email to receive periodic updates

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About | Contact Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy© 2002–2023 MOST ResourceMOST Resource globe


We use cookies to improve your browsing experience and to collect anonymous data to enable us to manage our website. Our Privacy Policy is a complete disclosure of our data collection policies, including the choices you have to control information we might collect. Your use of this site represents your consent to our Privacy Policy.