Syrian Artists Syndicate Head Mazen Nator: "Those who have authenticity like this should preserve it"

- The head of the Syrian Artists Syndicate, Mazen Al-Natour, welcomed the Syrian artist Assala on Monday, just days before her anticipated concert in Damascus. Al-Natour said in a video posted on the Syrian Artists Syndicate's Facebook page: "Authenticity means that a person sees with two eyes, not one, and realizes the importance of coexistence in this country."

He added: "Authenticity means that we recognize that this land is the land of civilizations, the land of coexistence and peace. Authenticity means that a person, or an artist, or anyone, records their national, moral, and humanitarian stance in difficult times, at a time when recording stances has become scarce."

Al-Natour pointed to the importance and status of the Syrian artist known as the "Icon of the East," saying: "Assala is not just a beautiful voice, or merely a commitment to art and its high values and ideals. Assala is an artist that Syria is proud of, and anyone who has authenticity like hers should preserve it," and he welcomed her "in her country Syria, the land of authenticity."

Assala will hold a concert at the "Al-Fayhaa" Sports Hall on Thursday, September 17, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, and tickets sold out within two days of being made available online. However, the concert faced calls for cancellation from hardline voices on social media for religious reasons. The media advisor to the Presidency of the Republic in Syria, Ahmad Muwafaq Zidan, praised the Syrian artist Assala just days before her anticipated concert, and his praise was considered a confirmation of the official position supporting the holding of Assala's concert on schedule.