Referendum, Shmeferendum: A Famous 'Yes' as Syrian Celebs Vote For Assad

Published February 28th, 2012 - 10:29 GMT

With the results of Bashar al-Assad's poll to detect his popularity in, we cast our eyes on those Syrian super stars and movie-icons. How did they place their ballots? Was it a Yay or Nay to their President's (indecent) proposal: the referendum to approve a new constitution that pledged oodles of reform, while he continues to bombard the people of Homs.

Said the President to the People

President Bashar al-Assad's government announced already that voters had overwhelmingly approved a new constitution in a referendum that wracked up a convincing 90% of the population's support. The referendum and accompanying results have been dismissed as a 'sham' and an exercise in delusion.

Said the Super-Stars to the President

What is surprising - though less so given the acclaimed success story of Assad's referendum - is the Syrian illustrious celebrities' overwhelming and die-hard support to their President, as he fails to halt further fatalities in his population. In effect, most of these actors and song-artists, either play or sing in and of morality plots and characters, that tell in black and white of good guys prospering and bad guys falling. On this occasion, wonders the world, are these celebrated screen and stage greats, saying 'Yes' to the bad guy? And 'No' to a 'democratic' ouster? This is not the first time these stars have come out in support of their President, Bashar al-Assad, and is rather a sequel to last year's Syrian shame list of yes-men.

It turns out, according to reports from the stars themselves, that Syrians abroad could vote and throw in their lot, or not, with President Bashar al-Assad, via postal vote. The picture panel above features the following stars, and more. See how Syria's Walk of Fame of A-listers and B-list celebs voted. The secret ballot, here, shared with the fans.

Myriam Atallah - For some more background on this Syrian actress, click here

Sulaf Fawakherji - For more on this acclaimed Syrian actress, click here

Bassel Khayat - For more background on this classy actor, click here

To express any comments on this Syria story, we invite you to have your say on your favorite Syrian soap, movie, or song stars in the space below.

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Sulaf Fawakhergi is a Syrian actress with Assad.

Sulaf Fawakhergi: This Syrian A-list actress has been pro-Assad all the way. She pronounced her unwavering support for the referendum in a speech. Draped in the regime's Syrian flag, she said "We're all with President Assad, we're all with Syria, and we all say Yes to the constitution."

Andre Skaf: The Syrian Christian actor throws his weight behind the Baathi leader. Incidentally, his sister, Mai Skaf, has protested against the regime -- voicing her distaste for Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah's stance on Syria). He considers the referendum to be a national duty. By voting, you demonstrate your support for reform, he reckons.

Suzanne Nijmidine : The Syrian actress has absconded from Syria ever since the trouble started. She set up house in the US with her family, denying abandoning her beleaguered Syria and claiming that her husband's business took her abroad. She confirmed that her vote would be 'for' Syria (leaving her position unknown).

Aref al-Taweel is pro Syria's new constitution.

Aref al-Taweel. The actor-director comes out pro-constitution, as a way to restore security & stability to Syria. He is unapologetic about his Yea vote: He decrees that a 'Yes' to the constitution is a 'No' to sectarianism. "Yes, I refuse to divide Syria. We're not afraid of Assad. We love & respect him, and want him to remain President."

Myriam Atallah supports Assad's constitution.

Myriam Atallah: The singer-actress, who rose through Star Academy, voted for the constitution, citing it a national duty to come out in support of the reform agenda. She considers Assad's plea-bargain a step toward solving the crisis Syria has witnessed for months. She hopes being pro-Assad is the answer to a better, safer Syria.

Qusay Khouli prepares himself for Hollywood.

Qusay Khouli: The well-known Syrian actor relocated to the U.S. 6 months ago, and has justified his stay in the name of studying English for Hollywood film projects. As far is reports go, none have been shot to date. He has made no comment either way on the referendum vote.

This regal Syrian actress takes her seat.

Rana Abyad: This Syrian actress says she is going to vote in the spirit of national obligation to her country. She compared herself to Sulafa Mukharji (see first slides) to make the point that she could give Sulafa a run for her 'Syrian support' (i.e. is equally zealously in support of Assad). She participated in pro-Assad reform rallies.

Bassel Khayat is studying film directing.

Bassel Khayat: This Syrian first class actor, who lives between Dubai & Abu Dhabi, states he is pursuing his film directing studies at a specialist cinema academy. He says nothing on the vote. A month ago, he declared he'd stop acting til things subsided in Syira. He signed a petition promising milk for babies in Derra under siege early on.

Jihan Abdel Azim: The sultry Syrian actress rallies around Assad with her vote. She hails the new 'reform' as paving the formation of new political parties. She notes that a Syrian mother married to a foreigner can confer her nationality to her children, so that a lot of her celeb circle will benefit.

Sulaf Fawakhergi: This Syrian A-list actress has been pro-Assad all the way. She pronounced her unwavering support for the referendum in a speech. Draped in the regime's Syrian flag, she said "We're all with President Assad, we're all with Syria, and we all say Yes to the constitution."

Andre Skaf: The Syrian Christian actor throws his weight behind the Baathi leader. Incidentally, his sister, Mai Skaf, has protested against the regime -- voicing her distaste for Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah's stance on Syria). He considers the referendum to be a national duty. By voting, you demonstrate your support for reform, he reckons.

Suzanne Nijmidine : The Syrian actress has absconded from Syria ever since the trouble started. She set up house in the US with her family, denying abandoning her beleaguered Syria and claiming that her husband's business took her abroad. She confirmed that her vote would be 'for' Syria (leaving her position unknown).

Aref al-Taweel. The actor-director comes out pro-constitution, as a way to restore security & stability to Syria. He is unapologetic about his Yea vote: He decrees that a 'Yes' to the constitution is a 'No' to sectarianism. "Yes, I refuse to divide Syria. We're not afraid of Assad. We love & respect him, and want him to remain President."

Myriam Atallah: The singer-actress, who rose through Star Academy, voted for the constitution, citing it a national duty to come out in support of the reform agenda. She considers Assad's plea-bargain a step toward solving the crisis Syria has witnessed for months. She hopes being pro-Assad is the answer to a better, safer Syria.

Qusay Khouli: The well-known Syrian actor relocated to the U.S. 6 months ago, and has justified his stay in the name of studying English for Hollywood film projects. As far is reports go, none have been shot to date. He has made no comment either way on the referendum vote.

Rana Abyad: This Syrian actress says she is going to vote in the spirit of national obligation to her country. She compared herself to Sulafa Mukharji (see first slides) to make the point that she could give Sulafa a run for her 'Syrian support' (i.e. is equally zealously in support of Assad). She participated in pro-Assad reform rallies.

Bassel Khayat: This Syrian first class actor, who lives between Dubai & Abu Dhabi, states he is pursuing his film directing studies at a specialist cinema academy. He says nothing on the vote. A month ago, he declared he'd stop acting til things subsided in Syira. He signed a petition promising milk for babies in Derra under siege early on.

Jihan Abdel Azim: The sultry Syrian actress rallies around Assad with her vote. She hails the new 'reform' as paving the formation of new political parties. She notes that a Syrian mother married to a foreigner can confer her nationality to her children, so that a lot of her celeb circle will benefit.

Referendum, Shmeferendum: A Famous 'Yes' as Syrian Celebs Vote For Assad

Sulaf Fawakhergi: This Syrian A-list actress has been pro-Assad all the way. She pronounced her unwavering support for the referendum in a speech. Draped in the regime's Syrian flag, she said "We're all with President Assad, we're all with Syria, and we all say Yes to the constitution."

Qusay Khouli: The well-known Syrian actor relocated to the U.S. 6 months ago, and has justified his stay in the name of studying English for Hollywood film projects. As far is reports go, none have been shot to date. He has made no comment either way on the referendum vote.

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