Arabs Got Opinions: Stars wade in on Assad debate

Ok so we know where the US government stands and how the UN would vote, we even think we've figured out whose side the Russians are on, but the real question is: which Arab celebrities are pro or anti the Assad regime [1]?

It's by no means a clean sweep for the opposition as many singers and actors favor Assad to stop the bloodshed, while others are hedging their bets by refusing to speak out publicly. But you can always rely on a few stars to speak their minds and face the music. For some that means a name check on Assad's most wanted list [2] while for others a chat with God to enlist his help in Assad's destruction [3]. Are they doing it for the sake of publicity? Probably but it's still a fascinating spectacle of mainly greater Syrians (the Lebanese and Syrians themselves) speaking out on Syria's great mess. Are you surprised by any of your these Arab celebs' politics when it comes to Assad and Syria's conflict? Share your opinion in the space below.

Arab stars speak out on Syria's sticky situation. Some are forthcoming and candid with their opinions on Assad; while others hold back and are more circumspect than to share their political views in the heat of the messy situation as it still plays out.

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We've had a few hints from the Lebanese, half-Syrian singer that she's a supporter of the opposition but she's refused to get political in public. In fact, the star was more forthcoming about the Qatari fire victims than the Houla relatives, prompting criticism from fans.

Assad's got it in for Asala? No such shyness for Syrian singer Asala - she's a known opposition supporter and has even said she think Assad's men are going to kidnap and kill her. Perhaps a little dramatic but then she did also say she's terrified of visiting liberal Lebanon.

Jamal Suleiman - wanted by Assad? Rumored to be on Assad's most wanted list, Jamal is certainly no regime loyalist. According to reports, the Syrian star actor-director has been secretly meeting with rebel leaders, particularly upsetting the president who is part of the same Alawite sect as Jamal.

No love for the rebels here: Lebanon's Mai Harriri is not showing her rebel fans any special treatment. Mai has said in interviews that she thinks the opposition are traitors and that she loves the Assad regime. According to Mai, the Assad family are good friends of fellow singer, Asala, and she takes a dim view of Asala attacking Assad publicly.

Fadel Shaker: Lebanese Fadel is such an Assad hater that he got his audience of thousands to pray for the Syrian president's destruction, whilst at a gig in Morocco. Not to say he doesn't want some earthly action to - he sang the Libyan liberation song in support of the FSA at the same concert.

Melhem Zain gives it all up for Assad: Furious at Asala for her anti-regime comments and happy to turn down concerts because of his political position, Zain might be the ultimate Assad loyalist, even though, he is Lebanese not Syrian. The star turned down a gig in Qatar when the emirate refused him a visa because of his pro-regime views.

The world and Qardahi v. Assad: Lebanon's conspiracy theorist and TV presenter George Qardahi is convinced that the whole world is unjustly against the Assad regime, starting with TV channel Arabiya. Sadly those channels don't share the love - MBC has cut his Ramadan drama in response.

Syria's own Maksim Khalil is keeping his cards close to his chest: He and his wife Sawsan appeared at the recent Murex D'Or awards all dressed in black in honor of Syrian 'martyrs' but Maksim never actually committed to who he thought the martyrs were or which side they came from.

Ahlam keeps it juvenile: It's all about the children for the Emirati singer who has focused her energies on collecting coins to give to children's charities in Syria. Although she hasn't said if she's pro or anti-regime, Ahlam is concerned about those caught up in the fighting. Perhaps she could sell off her diamond dress to make a buck or two?

Adel Imam is upset but coy: The Egyptian comedian had a serious sense of humor failure after rumors spread that he was pro-regime and would be visiting Damascus to congratulate Assad. In a recent radio interview he was keen to deny he'd said any such thing but wouldn't tell us if he was really an opposition enthusiast of an Assad loyalist.