Safwan Naamo heads unity concert for Syria

Famous Syrian director Safwan Mustafa Naamo has recorded a special concert aimed at celebrating unity in Syria, in the midst of a two-year conflict which threatens to rip the country apart. A packed bill of Syrian stars including living legend Sabah Fakhri, Rwaida Attia, Ali Al Deek, Reda, Wafik Habib, Anas Sabah Fakhri and Zinah Aftimos will promote peace and brotherhood in Naamo’s upcoming film. “The aim of this concert is to show that Syrians are all brothers,” Naamo told Arabstoday. “We want people to clasp their hands together for the reconstruction of Syria.” The director has also expressed his surprise that no third-party has come forward to fund the project. “I don’t want money from this – it’s humanitarian before anything else – but there are costs,” he said. “How can something like this in the national interest not get any kind of sponsorship from anyone?” Naamo suggested partisan approaches to the conflict meant no one had come forward.