Abbas Al-Nouri: I emerged from poverty... I was not intimidated by Bashar Al-Assad, but by the center.

During an interview with journalist Mohammed Qais on the program "I Have a Question," Syrian artist Abbas Al-Nouri revealed pivotal stages in his artistic, intellectual, and personal career, discussing his experience from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most prominent stars of Arab drama.

An unexpected beginning...and Salim Sabry changed my life

Al-Nouri began his talk by going back to his first television appearance in 1976 in a short series titled “Samar,” emphasizing that acting was not his dream, but rather a means of self-expression. He said:

“Life led me to art by chance, and a sign from director Salim Sabry was enough to change the course of my life completely.” He added with a sarcastic smile: “I spent my first paycheck on a cigarette and pants.”

Abbas Al-Nouri: I was born into a house with seven families.

Al-Nouri revealed his family background, saying:

“I was born into a poor family of ten children. We were seven families living in one house.” He noted that he felt an inferiority complex because of his free education, alongside the children of those who donated to cover the costs, which left a profound impact on his personality.

Anoud Al-Khaled... First and last love

Al-Nouri talked about the story of his marriage to writer Anoud Al-Khaled, saying:

“I met her after she contacted me as a fan. Her family objected because she chose an artist, but we got married in a room inside my family’s house.” He stressed: “After 35 years, all I can say to her is: Thank you for everything you have done and will do for me.”

My faith is free...and I do not sanctify heritage

In a frank intellectual intervention, Abbas Al-Nouri expressed his position on religion, saying:

“I believe in a free mind, not in inherited sanctities. True faith is not inherited, but built through reason and questions.” He added: “I thank God that I only stuck to what I was convinced of.”

Social media is a disguised prison

Al-Nouri criticized the impact of social media on society, considering it to be:

“Platforms are open to all, but they have turned into a large prison that restricts freedom of expression and exposes societal flaws and diseases.”

Between the disappointment of “Bab Al-Hara” and the success of “Ayyam Shamiya”

He stopped at his most prominent dramatic stations, saying:

“Ayam Shamiya cemented my stardom and gave me a sense of responsibility, while Bab Al-Hara turned into a commercial project.” He explained that his return in parts six and seven came as: “Under pressure from MBC and at the public’s request, the absence of Abu Issam’s character and the decline in the dramatic discourse weakened the experience.”

"Asir"... an Arabic experience with a special touch

He talked about his participation in the series “Asir,” despite his prior reservations about dubbed works, saying:

“I thought these works produced fame, not success. But when I read the script, my attitude changed.” He added: “I told the Turkish director: I don’t want to look like anyone else. I’ll play the character in my own way, and I don’t regret the experience.”

Summary: Abbas Al-Nouri... an artist with a different way of thinking

In this candid interview, Abbas Al-Nouri proves that he is not just a talented artist, but a human being with a vision and a rich life experience, in which drama is inseparable from philosophy, and life from action.

Abbas Al-Nouri: I wasn't afraid of Bashar Al-Assad, but I was afraid of the artistic community.

Speaking about political affairs, Syrian artist Abbas Al-Nouri revealed that he met with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad twice, explaining that his attendance was not out of direct obligation, but rather due to unspoken pressure within the artistic community. He said:

“I wasn’t forced to go, but if I didn’t go, I would be questioned a hundred times… I wasn’t afraid of the intelligence or Bashar al-Assad himself, I was afraid of the artistic community itself.”

Regarding his position on the current president, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Al-Nouri said:

“Sharia is an appointed president, not an elected one… and he needs someone to help him. The ruler will not be equal to himself. He might be equal to himself, but then he will go back and become a new version of Bashar al-Assad.” He added: “Reality is giving disturbing and frightening signals, but this man is trying to build a country.”