Investigating the Claims of the Closure of the Music Institute in Aleppo: The Truth Behind the Allegations

This investigation was translated using artificial intelligence,the original language is Arabic

Recently, some Facebook and X accounts and pages circulated a claim that the head of the new Syrian administration, "Ahmad al-Shara," had issued a decision to close the Music Institute in Aleppo. Some of the allegations added that this move was part of the new Syrian administration’s efforts to apply Islamic Sharia law and close music institutes.

Debunking the Claim

The "Verify-sy" team contacted multiple sources in the city of Aleppo to verify the circulating claims about the "closure of the Music Institute in Aleppo." Over the past two days, testimonies and statements were gathered from administrators at the institute and other cultural centers, revealing that the closure was not due to an official decision from the Syrian administration.

The testimonies varied regarding the exact date of the institute's activity suspension. Some stated that the activity had ceased since October 28, 2024, before the "Deterrence of Aggression" operation, which ended with the fall of the Assad regime. Others confirmed that the suspension coincided with the start of military operations.

Some sources indicated that disputes over the ownership of the institute's building played a role in halting its activities. One family claimed ownership of the building and requested to reside in it. In response, the previous administration allowed them to use the third floor due to the cessation of educational activities. However, the family later demanded full control of the building, prompting the new administration to evacuate the premises entirely and advise the concerned parties to resort to the judiciary to resolve the matter.

All sources confirmed that no official decision had been made to either close or reopen the institute, with its activities still suspended. This situation was compounded by the lack of official decisions related to cultural affairs, stemming from the absence of a cultural director in the city, a position typically linked to the Ministry of Culture. The position has either been vacant or neglected in the current government's formation.

It is also important to note that all sources who provided testimonies preferred to remain anonymous to avoid involving their names in political conflicts.

This situation has caused concern among cultural entities in Aleppo, who are feeling confused and worried about the potential for future restrictions on their activities by individuals or groups aligned with the government, amid the ongoing chaos in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime.