Bashar Assad's External Agents in the USA: Maestro & Composer Malek Jandali Under Attack

WASHINGTON, DC - Aptly designated as a premiere member of the Axis of Evil, apparently it wasn't enough that for 29 long years, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (and his father Hafez before him) terrorized, murdered, raped, maimed, detained and tortured thousands of Lebanese Christians, Muslims & Druze, Palestinians, UNIFIL soldiers, Multinational Peacekeeping Forces (comprised of troops from USA, France, Italy & UK), and basically anyone who got in the way of the Assad's dominance over Syria's tiny neighbor. Since March, Bashar the Butcher has turned his weapons on his own citizenry, brutally slaughtering his own people, torturing young children, detaining women - basically an all-out air and land ruthless assault on innocent, unarmed, peaceful demonstrators, simply asking for freedom and reforms.

However, in a new strategy, Assad is not only attempting to quell calls for freedom within his own borders by barring foreign observers and global press, he has instructed his minions to do so around the world as well. The Washington Post, Politico.com, The Atlantic, Al-Arabiya and other mainstream wires are reporting today that a grassroots Arab American advocacy group based in Washington, DC has blocked International Composer and Maestro Malek Jandali from performing a concerto, specifically containing a new composition reflecting a humanitarian musical piece about patriotism and freedom. Apparently, the chairman of the organization's board is a friend and supporter of the regime in Damascus.

This led to the award-winning musician to alert his fans of this news by posting the following statment on his facebook page:

"It is with deep sadness that I announce that I will no longer be performing at the annual ADC Convention this weekend in Washington, DC. This is the result of their unfortunate decision to prohibit me from performing "Watani Ana: I am my Homeland". I look forward to sharing my music live with my wonderful fans soon. Thanks to all of you who have supported me in this and all my musical ventures."

It's no secret that terrorist leaders Yasser Arafat & Saddam Hussein funneled millions of dollars to organizations, institutions an individuals in the United States to support their reign. What's new, is that now a totalitarian dictator is using his own 'diplomats' to instill fear in Americans of Syrian-descent. Interesting to note, that just a few short months ago, these very same Baathist regime appointed Syrian Embassy 'diplomats' were promoting Maestro Jandali's performance throughout the USA.

(John Akouri is the former Washington, DC Director of Communications and Capitol Hill Press Secretary to U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg(R-MI) and has been featured as a guest speaker and panelist at many national Arab American organizations throughout the country.)