Syrian Salafists oppose opening of movie theatre in Idlib
Salafist groups opposing Hayat Tahrir al-Sham are criticizing the group for allowing the reopening of a film theater in Idlib, accusing it of steering away from Islam to court the West.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which controls Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib, has recently brought back cinema to the city of Idlib as part of its ongoing attempts to market itself as a moderate group.
Cinema Al-Zahra has reopened its doors in Idlib, after being closed for more than 20 years due to neglect and war. The theater has now reopened under a new name — “The Royal Palace” — and it welcomes visitors once a week to watch a film for free, without the need for booking a ticket. The theater screens entertainment, cultural, family and children's films.
