Latest news with #Annahar
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Lebanon, and Fairuz, bid iconic composer Ziad Rahbani farewell
Hundreds of people in Lebanon paid tribute Monday to iconic composer, pianist and playwright Ziad Rahbani, who died over the weekend. His mother, Fairuz, one of the Arab world's most esteemed singers, made a rare public appearance. Rahbani, also known as a political provocateur, died Saturday at age 69. The cause of death was not immediately known. His passing shocked much of the Arab world, which appreciated his satire, unapologetic political critique and avante-garde, jazz-inspired compositions that mirrored the chaos and contradictions of Lebanon throughout its civil war from 1975 until 1990. He also composed some of his mother's most famous songs. فيروز في وداع ابنها زياد Fayrouz bids farewell to her son Ziad — Annahar النهار (@Annahar) July 28, 2025 The Rahbani family was a cornerstone in Lebanon's golden era of music theater that today is steeped in idealism and nostalgia in a troubled country. Top Lebanese political officials and artists paid tribute after the death was announced. Rahbani, a leftist Greek Orthodox, often mocked Lebanon's sectarian divisions in his work. Hundreds of people holding roses and photos gathered by Khoury Hospital near Beirut's busy Hamra district, solemnly singing some of his most famous songs and applauding as a vehicle carrying his body left its garage. Reem Haidar, who grew up during the civil war, said Rahbani's songs and their messages were what she and others associated with at a time when there was 'no nation to belong to.' The vehicle made its way to a church in the mountainous town of Bikfaya before burial in the family cemetery. Fairuz, 90, had spent many years away from the public eye. Wearing black sunglasses and a black veil, she greeted visitors who came to pay respects. She had not been seen publicly since photos surfaced of her meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited her residence in 2020 to award her France's highest medal of honor. In recent years, Rahbani also appeared less in the public eye, yet his influence never waned. Younger generations rediscovered his plays online and sampled his music in protest movements. He continued to compose and write, speaking often of his frustration with Lebanon's political stagnation and decaying public life. Rahbani is survived by his mother and his sister Reema and brother Hali. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Nahar Net
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Jumblat on Sweida clashes: We reject calls for external and Israeli intervention
by Naharnet Newsdesk 14 July 2025, 14:38 Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat urged Monday the Syrian government to find a political solution, after dozens of people were killed in fighting between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters in Syria's Sweida province. "We reject calls for external protection and Israeli intervention," Jumblat stated, as he hoped for the return of security and stability to Sweida. "We are in contact with the Syrian government," the Druze leader told local Annahar newspaper. Clashes initially broke out between armed groups from the Druze religious minority and Sunni Bedouin clans, with some members of the government security forces "actively participating" in support of the Bedouins. The Israeli army later attacked several tanks in Sweida Monday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor, said the conflict started with the kidnapping and robbery of a Druze vegetable seller, leading to tit-for-tat attacks and kidnappings. - Loyal minority - Israel has previously intervened in Syria in defense of the Druze religious minority. In May, Israeli forces struck a site near the presidential palace in Damascus, in what was seen as a warning to Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The strike came after dozens were killed in fighting between pro-government gunmen and Druze fighters earlier this year in the town of Sahnaya and the Druze-majority Damascus suburb of Jaramana. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement at the time that Israel 'will not allow the deployment of (Syrian government) forces south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community.' Over half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981. In Israel, Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces. Factions from the Druze minority have been suspicious of the new authorities in Damascus after former President Bashar Assad fled the country in December during a rebel offensive led by Sunni Islamist insurgent groups. On several occasions, Druze groups have clashed with security forces from the new government or allied factions. - 'Like unwrapping an onion' - The Druze religious sect is a minority group that began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. In Syria, they largely live in the southern Sweida province and some suburbs of Damascus, mainly in Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya to the south. The Druze developed their own militias during the country's nearly 14-year civil war, during which they sometimes faced attacks by the Islamic State and other Islamist militant groups. Israel has taken an aggressive stance toward Syria's new leaders since Assad's fall, saying it does not want Islamist militants near its borders. Israeli forces earlier seized a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone on Syrian territory along the border with the Golan Heights and have launched hundreds of airstrikes on military sites in Syria. The Trump administration has been pushing for the new Syrian government to move toward normalization with Israel. Syrian officials have acknowledged holding indirect talks with Israel to attempt to defuse tensions, but have not responded to reports that the two sides have also held direct talks. U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack told The Associated Press last week that he believes normalizing ties will happen 'like unwrapping an onion, slowly.'
Nahar Net
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Berri tells Israel 'cheerers' nothing will remain in region but Israel if it wins
by Naharnet Newsdesk 6 hours Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri hinted that Israel will destroy everything and everyone in the region if it wins this war. "There will be only Israel," he said, in remarks published Tuesday in Annahar, adding that those who are happy shouldn't be. "The Lebanese and other people who are cheering for Tel Aviv, including through social media posts, shouldn't be happy," the Speaker said, as he lauded Lebanon's official condemnation of the the attacks on Iran. President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam had both condemned Israel's attack on Iran but said that Lebanon must stay out of the conflict because any engagement would be detrimental to the small nation engulfed in an economic crisis and struggling to recover from the latest Israel-Hezbollah war. Berri condemned last week Israel's massive attack on Iran, said Israel's hostile actions in the region "represent a cross-border threat to independent countries and to international security and stability" and accused Israel of "assassinating any effort for establishing the rules of fair and comprehensive peace in the world and in the Middle East region."
Nahar Net
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Berri tells Israel 'cheerers' nothing will remain in region but Israel if it wins
by Naharnet Newsdesk 17 June 2025, 15:21 Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri hinted that Israel will destroy everything and everyone in the region if it wins this war. "There will be only Israel," he said, in remarks published Tuesday in Annahar, adding that those who are happy shouldn't be. "The Lebanese and other people who are cheering for Tel Aviv, including through social media posts, shouldn't be happy," the Speaker said, as he lauded Lebanon's official condemnation of the the attacks on Iran. President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam had both condemned Israel's attack on Iran but said that Lebanon must stay out of the conflict because any engagement would be detrimental to the small nation engulfed in an economic crisis and struggling to recover from the latest Israel-Hezbollah war. Berri condemned last week Israel's massive attack on Iran, said Israel's hostile actions in the region "represent a cross-border threat to independent countries and to international security and stability" and accused Israel of "assassinating any effort for establishing the rules of fair and comprehensive peace in the world and in the Middle East region."
Arab News
28-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Journalism is vital during conflict, says Annahar's editor-in-chief
DUBAI: Journalism becomes a vital element of truth-telling during times of conflict, said Nayla Tueni, editor-in-chief of Lebanon's Annahar Media Group, at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai on Wednesday. In conversation with Moon Baz, META's director of global partnerships for the Middle East, Africa and Turkiye, Tueni highlighted the unique hurdles Lebanese media faces. 'Lebanon is different,' she told the audience. 'We've endured wars and instability. The duty is to keep people informed.' Annahar is among the media organizations leveraging WhatsApp Channels, a one-way broadcast tool used to deliver timely updates. Tueni emphasized how essential this speed of communication becomes during times of crisis. 'WhatsApp Channels played a crucial role during the war. People needed constant updates,' she said. 'We can now send voice notes and videos, which help us engage diverse demographics.' With over 250,000 subscribers, Annahar is focused on making its content more relevant and personalized, she said. Tueni said generational differences influence media consumption and organizations must adapt to these different needs. 'Some prefer on-the-scene images, while others want to click a link and read in depth.' Tueni offered advice for aspiring media leaders. 'It's all about knowing your audience,' she said. 'The world keeps changing, and we have to adapt. Media must be malleable.'
