2000 Al-Ataa Award Recipients

Salma Al Masri

Salma Al Masri was born in Damascus, Syria in 1957 to a family that appreciated art in all its forms. Her grandfather was the famous “Ud” musician Omar Naksbandi.

She began her acting career in children’s programs in Syrian Television and was active in theater at school. She graduated from law school at the University of Damascus.

Subsequently, she dedicated herself to acting and married the late television director Shakib Ghannam. Her first film was Maklab Fi Al-Maxic with Dourade Lahham, Mouna Wassef and the late Nihad Qallili.

Her first starring television series was Abou Al-Mashakel, directed by Salim Sabri. In addition, she starred in more than 65 television series such as:

• Nemer Al Adwan
• Dalila Wa Zeibek
• Shajaraht Al-Dur
• Al-Jamal
• Ailaty Wa Ana (with Dorade Lahham)

In films, she has starred in Maklab Fi Al-Maxic, Al-Itajah Al-Mouakes, and Al-Moutabaki.

Her theatrical contribution includes acting in eight plays, including Shakek Al-Nouman and Kasak Ya Wattan, which were critically acclaimed.

Her acting awards include:

• 1982 Best Actress Award in Tunisia Radio and Television Festival
• 1982 Golden Medallion as Best Actress from the Syrian Artist Guild
• 1995 Best Actress Award from the Syrian Women Association
• 1996 Best Actress Award from the Al-Faja Festival in Iran for her role in Al-Moutabaki
• 1999 Cairo Radio and Television Festival’s Golden Medallion for Best Actress for her role in Al-Jamal
  

Salma Al Masri on her roles: "I select my roles carefully and focus on parts that deal with family and women’s issues. I believe that any form of art should have a message to convey."

Khaldoun Al-Maleh

Khaldoun Al-Maleh was born in Damascus, Syria, and still resides there. His contributions extend to film, radio, television and stage. His career began at Syrian Radio working with children’s programming.

In 1958 he was appointed head anchor of Syrian Radio. In 1959 he went to Cairo to assist in establishing the development of Arab Television Broadcast. In 1960 he went to Italy to study television production and directing; in the same year he was instrumental in establishing Syrian Television. In 1975 he became the General Manager of Syrian Television. From 1975 to 1977 he served as Director of Programming and consultant to the Director of Television and Radio. During this time he participated in establishing Saudi Television for Saudi Arabia.

He was the first to produce and direct entertainment programs that introduced Dourade Lahham and Nihad Qalili to the Syrian television audience. This collaboration went on to produce some of the best television and theater line-ups in Syria for years to come.

He directed the film Sah Al-Noum and many documentaries, in addition to hosting many entertainment programs for Lebanese television.

To many in the Arab world, he was the man who delivered news, political programming and commentary through popular television programs.

In 1999, he produced and directed the television series Al-Jamal, which won the Cairo Radio and Television’s Golden Medallion for Best Production and Direction. He also received the Cairo Jury Award.

Recently, he produced and hosted the Ala Ayni for Syrian Satellite, which has helped link Syrians from around the world with their motherland. He was a pioneer in building the artistic movement through radio, television, film, and stage for the last 50 years.

Assala and (the late) Moustafa Nasri

The late Moustafa Nasri, born in Damascus Syria, is one of few singers who have raised the standard and elevated the art of Syrian song to a high level through his unique style of delivery.

Hatem Nasri, Moustafa Nasri’s father, was one of the pioneers of political and social satirical monologue. Hatem Nasri introduced his son, Moustafa, to the study and mastery of music. Moustafa started his career as a chorus singer in Syrian Radio.

Most famous Syrian music composers have provided Moustafa Nasri’s tracks. Moustafa’s voice, classified as tenor, made him unique amongst singers in the Arab world.

As a father and family man, Moustafa Nasri did everything possible to provide his daughter Assala every opportunity for education in the field of music. He prepared Assala become one of the leading (if not the leading) vocalist in the Arab world.