Najah Safkounoi
Biography
A Syrian artist, born in Homs on May 17, 1946. He is one of the members of the Syrian National Theater, and is an employee of the Ministry of Culture and the National Theatre. He participated as an actor in many television, cinema and theater roles, in addition to several radio series. He has been a member of the Artists Syndicate since 1982. Among his works in the theater: The Cell Phone, and the Palestinian. He acted in the movie The Long Night (2009).
Known For & Full Filmography18 Titles
Drama Series - 2017, 16 episodes • as Al Khal
In a village by the Lebanon-Syria border, the head of an arms-smuggling clan contends with family conflicts, power struggles and complicated love.
Drama Series - 2012, 16 episodes • as Suhayl ibn Amr
A historical saga about the second caliph and Commander of the Faithful Omar Bin Al-Khattab and his pivotal role in the Islamic State.
Drama Series - 2008, 16 episodes • Main Cast Role
The show tells the story of a playwright, Jalal, who holds secular views, and his close friendship with Michel, his childhood friend. Michel initially worked as a lawyer but later transitioned to journalism, founding his own magazine in which he boldly addresses societal issues, drawing significant criticism. Additionally, the narrative explores themes of separating religion from civil and political life through a love story between a man and a woman from different faiths: Jalal (a Muslim) and Hanan (a Christian). Their relationship culminates in a secret marriage, which lasts until Jalal’s sudden passing. Throughout the story, the work focuses on two major issues related to secularism: the demand for a civil personal status law that permits civil marriage, and the call for a secular education system that allows students the freedom to seek their own truths instead of being indoctrinated with a predetermined "absolute truth." It also tackles issues of political and social corruption.
Drama Series - 2018, 16 episodes • Main Cast Role
A social drama centred on Ghada, a woman who marries a powerful, controlling man and finds herself emotionally deprived. As she struggles within this cold marriage, she becomes drawn into a search for emotional fulfilment, which leads to inner conflict and difficult choices. The series explores themes of emotional neglect, power imbalance in relationships, and personal freedom.
Drama Series - 2008, 16 episodes • Main Cast Role
A drama series that tells the story of the coastal environment during the era of the French mandate in Syria, especially the environment of fishermen in light of the exploitation and greed of some people and the bitter struggle of others against the French occupier.
Drama Series - 2010, 16 episodes • Main Cast Role
The series deals with the biography of the great companion Al-Qa’qa’ bin Amr Al-Tamimi, with its many heroic deeds that raised the banner of Islam in several situations, by highlighting an important Islamic stage and re-dramatizing it.
Drama Series - 2001, 16 episodes • as نجم الدين أيوب
A sweeping historical epic tracing the life of Saladin from his humble origins to his unification of fractured Muslim kingdoms and his legendary recapture of Jerusalem from the Crusaders after nearly a century of occupation. Starring Jamal Suleiman and directed by the late Hatem Ali, written by Walid Seif — the same partnership behind Palestinian Alienation — this is widely regarded as one of the finest historical dramas in Arabic television, epic in scale yet deeply human in its portrayal of leadership, faith and sacrifice.
Drama Series - 2005, 16 episodes • as باديس
The series follows the rupture of Andalusia into many warring states, which allowed the northern Kingdom of Castile to expand its borders and take control.
Drama Series - 2003, 16 episodes • as غالب الناصري
The second chapter of the acclaimed Andalusian trilogy by Walid Seif and Hatem Ali. Set in the golden age of Umayyad Cordoba, it traces the extraordinary rise of Muhammad ibn Abi Amir — known as Al-Mansur — from a young scholar arriving in Cordoba seeking knowledge, to the most powerful man in Andalusia. A sweeping story of ambition, political genius and the glittering, fragile peak of Arab civilisation in Spain. Stars Taim Hassan and Jamal Suleiman.
Drama Series - 2007, 16 episodes • as أبو ناصر
Jalal is imprisoned on trumped-up political charges. As he breaks out of prison and crosses the Lebanese borders, he meets his Palestinian friend, Qassem, who is a member of the resistance against the Israelis. Jalal's wife gets the court to grant her divorce in absentia to marry Colonel Nazem.
Drama Series - 2010, 16 episodes • as أبو عادل
The series revolves around politics and corruption in 1980s Syria. An aspiring university student is forced to become a police officer and climb the political ladder, revealing bitter truths along the way.
Drama Series - 2002, 16 episodes • as Kamal
The series presents several social issues and tries to address them, especially the problems of youth and greed between brothers, so that the brother tries to rob his brother's money that he inherited from his father.
Drama Series - 2023, 16 episodes • as أبو جمال
The events revolve around the cruel and tyrannical Abu Nadhir, who seeks to control the lives of his family members without any regard for the psychological pain he causes them, while it becomes clear that there are secrets in his life and his past returns to haunt him.
Drama Series - 1992, 16 episodes • as أسعد عامر
An Arabic-language series based on Agatha Christie's novel The Sleeping Murder, about a murder that occurred and went undiscovered until 20 years later.
Drama Series - 2024, 16 episodes • as أبو عمار الجبر
The events of the series take place inside (Al-Hal Market) in the capital (Damascus), highlighting the conditions of the Syrians, through the story of the (Noman Al-Zeer) family and the events and problems they are exposed to.
Drama Series - 2001, 16 episodes • as إياس بن قبيصة الطائي
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Drama Series - 2009, 16 episodes • Main Cast Role
Four brothers, each living a life filled with fear and isolation: Akram (Abdel Moneim Amayri), the eldest brother, is an employee who appears committed and reserved, but in reality suffers from a sexual complex that causes him to fail in his repeated attempts to get engaged; As for Lamis (Caresse Bashar), she is a teacher involved in a forbidden love affair with her friend’s husband; she works to ruin their lives so she can be alone with her lover. As for Hosam (Rami Hanna), is a computer teacher who falls in love with Najwa, a relationship that changes his negative view of women. Basma (Maysoun Abu Asaad), a pharmacist searching for rational love, gets involved with Ghassan (Khaled Al-Qish), only to discover later that he is a deceiver; she breaks up with him and gets involved with someone else who is just as bad as he is. How will things end for these siblings? And will love return to set their lives back on track?
Movie - 2009, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Four political activists friends are arrested by the repressive regime in Syria in the 1970s and spend twenty years in detention, three of them are released, and the fourth remains. The three friends are shocked by the huge changes they found in society, while showing the hardships their fourth comrade faces in prison.