Mohammed Yassin Saleh
Mohammed Saleh | |
|---|---|
محمد صالح | |
| Minister of Culture | |
| Assumed office 29 March 2025 | |
| President | Ahmed al-Sharaa |
| Preceded by | Diala Barakat[a] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1985 |
| Alma mater | London Metropolitan University University of Westminster |
| Occupation | Journalist, media presenter, politician |
Mohammed Yassin Saleh (Arabic: محمد ياسين صالح) is a Syrian journalist and politician who has served as Minister of Culture in the Syrian transitional government since 29 March 2025.
Life and career
[edit]Born in 1985, Saleh holds a bachelor's degree in linguistics from London Metropolitan University and a master's degree in translation from the University of Westminster. Known for his passion for the Arabic language and its aesthetics, Saleh has worked to promote linguistic richness and literary heritage throughout his early career.[1]
Saleh began his media career with the Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera, where he gained recognition for presenting programs such as Al-Mir'aat al-Sahafa and Al-Marsad. He later launched Ta'amulat (Reflections), a program dedicated to literature and the Arabic language.[2] In 2016, he won first place in Qatar’s prestigious "Fasih al-Arab" (Eloquent Arab) competition.[3]
Following the fall of the Assad regime, Saleh was appointed Minister of Culture in the country's transitional government.[4]
In his speech before taking the oath of office, he highlighted the need for cultural policy to align with humanitarian priorities, stating that "there can be no fruitful culture during misery" and calling for engagement with Arab neighbors to dismantle barriers left by the former regime.[2]
Controversy
[edit]Al-Marsoumi's guesthouse
[edit]In April 2025, Saleh sparked widespread criticism after he and Jamal al-Sharaa (Ahmed al-Sharaa's brother) appeared at the guesthouse of Sheikh Farhan al-Marsoumi in Deir ez-Zor Governorate. Al-Marsoumi was widely known for his staunch allegiance to Iranian-backed militias and his alleged involvement in drug trafficking and major human rights violations against local populations. He was regarded as a key figure affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in eastern Syria, playing a central role in recruiting youth into the Iranian-backed 47th Regiment and reinforcing Tehran’s influence over both social and military structures in the region. Additionally, he has reportedly managed extensive arms and drug smuggling operations under the protection of the 4th Armoured Division, capitalizing on his close ties with Maher al-Assad.[5]
Saleh’s appearance at the gathering triggered public outrage, with many questioning how a senior government official could attend such meetings without prior vetting or knowledge of the individuals' backgrounds and affiliations. In response to the backlash, Saleh issued a public apology via a post on the social media platform X, stating: "Every day, I am asked to take hundreds of photos with people, and I cannot discern their intentions or affiliations. I extend my sincere apology to the great Syrian people for any unintended photograph with an individual associated with the former regime".[5][6]
On 20 April 2025, the Syrian Presidency released a statement addressing the controversy surrounding the gathering at al-Marsoumi’s guesthouse. In response to widespread discussion about the presence of government figures at the event, the presidency clarified that Jamal al-Sharaa does not hold any official government position or title and does not enjoy any formal privileges.[7] Notably, the statement made no reference to saleh.
References
[edit]- ^ "فاز بجائزة "فصيح العرب".. من هو وزير الثقافة السوري الجديد محمد صالح؟" [Won the “Eloquent Arab” award.. Who is Syria’s new Minister of Culture Mohammed Saleh?]. Al Araby (in Arabic). 30 March 2025. Archived from the original on 10 April 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ a b ""فصيح العرب".. محمد صالح وزيرا للثقافة بسوريا (بروفايل)" ["Eloquent Arab".. Mohammed Saleh appointed Minister of Culture in Syria (Profile)]. Anadolu Agency (in Arabic). 30 March 2025. Archived from the original on 10 April 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ "What to know about Syria's new cabinet and its top ministers". The New Arab. 30 March 2025. Archived from the original on 1 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ "President al-Sharaa announces formation of the New Government: We are witnessing the birth of a new phase in our national process". Syrian Arab News Agency. 30 March 2025. Archived from the original on 30 March 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
- ^ a b "لقاء مع "المرسومي" يُحرج "وزير الثقافة" ويفتح ملف دور ونفوذ أشقاء الرئيس "الشرع"" [Meeting with "al-Marsoumi" embarrasses the Minister of Culture and reopens the file on the role and influence of President al-Sharaa’s brothers]. Shaam News Network (in Arabic). 18 April 2025. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "وزير الثقافة محمد صالح يعتذر من السوريين بعد لقائه بـ"المرسومي"" [Minister of Culture Mohammed Saleh apologizes to Syrians after meeting with "al-Marsoumi"]. Syria TV (in Arabic). 18 April 2025. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "رئاسة الجمهورية تنشر تصريحاً توضيحياً حول فعالية جرت في مضافة المرسومي" [The Presidency issues a clarification regarding an event held at al-Marsoumi's guesthouse]. Syrian Arab News Agency (in Arabic). 20 April 2025. Archived from the original on 20 April 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
Notes
[edit]- ^ Vacant from 10 December 2024 until 29 March 2025