In a surprising move that sparked widespread controversy in Syrian and Arab artistic circles, the famous Syrian artist Hussam Junaid his retirement from performing at concerts and public and private events, attributing his decision to what he described as the negative changes taking place in the artistic scene, coinciding with the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan.

Details of the sudden retirement decision

Junaid announced his retirement from performing live concerts via his official social media accounts, where he addressed a heartfelt message to his fans and followers. The Syrian artist wrote, "To everyone who supported Hussam Junaid from 2009 to 2026, may God never deprive me of you. Today was my last day performing live. Thank God, I have decided to retire from live concerts." Junaid clarified that this decision does not mean his complete disappearance, but rather a shift in his career path, emphasizing, "I will definitely continue to release songs on my YouTube channel and across all platforms, as I am committed to a production company, poets, and composers.".

Reasons for the decision: Preserving the artistic heritage

Junaid's decision wasn't impulsive; it seems to be the culmination of accumulated concerns about the current artistic environment. He justified his move by expressing a desire to preserve his image and artistic standards, saying, "Those who love Hussam Junaid certainly wouldn't accept a decline in his artistic level. My voice and artistry are far superior to what's currently available, and it won't last because there are discerning listeners." This statement reflects a sense of dissatisfaction among a segment of professional artists regarding the recent decline in concert organization standards, audience quality, and the overall atmosphere surrounding commercial events. They prefer to withdraw while at the peak of their careers rather than participate in artistic trends that don't align with their legacy.

Artistic context and career of Hossam Junaid

Hussam Junaid is one of the most prominent voices in the Syrian popular and classical music scene. Over the past decade, he has secured a leading position in concerts and festivals in Syria, Lebanon, and the Arab world. This decision comes at a time when the artistic landscape is undergoing radical transformations, with many artists beginning to rely more heavily on digital platforms and revenue from live streaming and YouTube, rather than depending entirely on demanding concerts that may sometimes fall short of an artist's legacy.

The shift towards digital production

Junaid's confirmation that he will continue releasing songs on YouTube indicates an awareness of the demands of the digital age. This approach allows the artist complete control over the quality of his artistic output, free from the pressures of promoters and the potentially unsuitable conditions of live performances. Junaid apologized to concert promoters, saying, "I love you all from the bottom of my heart, and I apologize to all the promoters I made promises to. I hope you will accept my decision positively." He concluded his message by wishing his fans a blessed Ramadan: "I love you all. You are my family, the ones I grew up with, and you are the ones who raised me. Ramadan Kareem to you all.".

Reactions and timing of Ramadan

The public reacted strongly to this decision, with many linking the timing of the announcement to the start of Ramadan, considering it a positive step towards devoting oneself to worship and self-reflection—a practice followed by some Arab artists during the holy month. Reactions ranged from shock and sadness at his absence from the stage to full support for his decision, which aims to protect his artistic legacy from the vulgarity prevalent in some aspects of the current art scene.

In a bold move that resonated widely in cultural and political circles, the internationally acclaimed Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania to accept her award at the Cinema for Peace Foundation awards ceremony held in Berlin, Germany, on the sidelines of the Berlin International Film Festival. This firm refusal came in protest against the honoring of an Israeli military figure at the same event, which the director considered an unacceptable attempt to equate the victim with the perpetrator.

A powerful message of protest: “The voice of Hind Rajab”

Despite her powerful film "The Voice of Hind Rajab" winning the Most Valuable Film award at the annual event, Ben Hania chose to leave the award on stage moments after accepting it. She explained that this action was in response to the honoring of former Israeli General Noam Tibon, whose story was featured in the Canadian documentary "The Road Between Us," which addresses his role during the events of October 7, 2013. Ben Hania argued that simultaneously honoring a work documenting the tragedy of a Palestinian child and a military general was a blatant contradiction of the principles of justice.

Cinema as a tool for accountability, not for beautification

In her moving acceptance speech, the Tunisian director announced that she would not take the award with her, but would leave it as a symbol and a reminder of the need for international justice and accountability. Ben Hania said, "I will only return to accept the award with joy when peace becomes a legal and moral obligation based on holding those responsible for crimes accountable." She emphasized that her sense of responsibility outweighed her sense of gratitude, stressing that her film does not simply tell an individual story, but rather sheds light on a systemic violence that made the murder of the child Hind possible.

Ben Hania added that what is happening is not an exception, but rather comes within a broader context of violence, warning against the use of terms such as “self-defense” or “complex circumstances” as a political cover to justify mass killing, and stressing that cinema should never be turned into a tool for whitewashing images or falsifying facts.

The tragedy of Hind Rajab: Gaza's bleeding wound

The film "The Voice of Hind Rajab" is based on true events that shook the world's conscience. It recreates recordings of emergency calls made by six-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed in the Gaza Strip on January 29, 2014. Hind was trapped inside a car with her family, all of whom were killed by Israeli fire. She continued to call for help for hours before the connection was lost. The story also documents the deaths of paramedics Youssef Zeino and Ahmed Al-Madhoun from the Palestinian Red Crescent, who went out to rescue her, only to have their ambulance targeted in an incident that sparked widespread international condemnation.

Kawthar Ben Hania: A journey filled with triumphs for humanity

This stance further cements Kaouther Ben Hania's position as one of the most prominent Arab and international cinematic voices, employing art to serve humanitarian causes. The director boasts an impressive track record, with her film "Banat Olfa" reaching the final list of Oscar nominations, and her previous film "The Man Who Sold His Skin" also receiving an Oscar nomination. Her latest work, "The Voice of Hind Rajab," is an extension of her unique cinematic style, blending documentary and drama to present stories that resonate with reality and call for change, placing it in the spotlight as a strong contender at international festivals.

The Iraqi Media and Communications Commission issued an official decision to ban the broadcast of the series “Hamdiya”, in response to a wide wave of popular criticism and parliamentary demands that considered the work offensive to Iraqi women and distorting their social image, in a step that reflects the keenness of regulatory bodies to control media content during the Ramadan season.

Details of the official decision

Mahmoud al-Rubaie, a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Media and Communications Commission, explained in a post on the “X” platform that the decision was based on Order No. (65) of 2004 and in response to angry public demands. Al-Rubaie affirmed the Commission's commitment to preventing the broadcast of any content that offends noble values ​​or incites sedition, noting that the Board had reviewed the original novel by Qadouri al-Douri, on which the series was based, as well as the advertisements broadcast by MBC Iraq.

Accordingly, the Board of Commissioners directed the executive body of the Authority to prevent the broadcasting of the series, with the directive to take deterrent legal measures against any platform operating within Iraq that publishes material that includes abuse of Iraq and Iraqis during the nights of the holy month of Ramadan.

MBC Iraq's stance

For its part, MBC Iraq, through an official source, confirmed that it has not yet received any official written notification regarding the banning of the series. The source emphasized that the channel operates within legal and professional frameworks and respects applicable Iraqi laws. The source defended the work, explaining that the series "Hamdiya" does not aim to offend Iraqi women or any social group, but rather addresses social issues within an artistic and dramatic framework. The source affirmed the channel's readiness to deal with any official decision in accordance with legal procedures.

The context of dramatic debate in Ramadan

This debate is not unprecedented in the Iraqi drama scene, where the holy month of Ramadan witnesses heated discussions every year about television programs and their compatibility with social values. Iraqi and Arab dramas aimed at Iraqi audiences face ongoing challenges in balancing artistic freedom with adherence to the moral and social standards imposed by conservative Iraqi society. Censorship and parliamentary bodies frequently intervene to halt productions accused of distorting the image of tribes, women, or security institutions, making dramatic production in Iraq a process fraught with censorship and societal concerns.

The importance of oversight and the influence of public opinion

The decision to ban the series "Hamdiya" highlights the powerful influence of public opinion and social media platforms on official decision-making in Iraq. Digital campaigns rejecting certain artistic content have become an effective pressure tool, prompting regulatory bodies like the Communications and Media Commission to take proactive or punitive measures. This trend reflects the state's commitment to maintaining social peace and preventing any content that could be interpreted as inciting sectarianism or offending social symbols, especially given the sensitive circumstances that demand social cohesion and respect for authentic Iraqi cultural identity.