Sami Nofal Appointed CEO of the Abrahamic Movement in Syria
In a significant institutional step for the Syrian peace camp, the Council of the Abrahamic Movement Syria has appointed Syrian actor, director and cultural institution-builder Sami Nofal as its new Chief Executive Officer. Tom Wegner, Co-Founder and CEO of the global Abrahamic Movement, formally announced and embraced the choice today.
Sami Nofal – Syrian actor, director and newly appointed CEO of the Abrahamic Movement in Syria. Photo: supplied.
In today’s Syria, anyone looking for the peace camp finds the Abrahamic Movement. That is the opening line of the announcement posted by Tom Wegner on X (formerly Twitter), and it captures both the urgency and the opportunity of the moment.
The Council of the Abrahamic Movement Syria selected Sami Nofal as CEO on 8 October 2026. Wegner, who leads the global network from abrahamic.org, immediately endorsed the decision and published a detailed statement of welcome and support.
“I am delighted to announce that Sami Nofal has been appointed CEO of the Abrahamic Movement in Syria. The Council of the Abrahamic Movement Syria chose him today, and I embrace its choice.”
— Tom Wegner, Co-Founder & CEO, The Abrahamic MovementA Man of Culture at the Heart of a Peace Movement
Sami Nofal comes from the heart of Syrian culture. A graduate of the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus (class of 2007), he has worked since that year as an actor and director in film, theatre and television across Syrian and Arab productions.
His short film Salsal (Clay), which he wrote and directed, won gold at the first Damascus Cinema Days festival. At the Syrian Opera House he created the epic dance operetta Watan (Homeland). Beyond the stage, Nofal headed the association for Syria’s dubbing profession, served as secretary of the central drama bodies of the Syrian Artists’ Syndicate, and chaired the opening committee of the national “Syrian Icon” project.
In Wegner’s words: “He knows how to lead people and build institutions.”
Artistic & Cultural Record
- Graduate, Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, Damascus (2007)
- Actor & director – film, theatre, television (Syrian & Arab productions)
- Writer-director of short film Salsal (Clay) – Gold, first Damascus Cinema Days
- Creator of epic dance operetta Watan (Homeland) at Syrian Opera House
Institutional Leadership
- Headed association for Syria’s dubbing profession
- Secretary, central drama bodies – Syrian Artists’ Syndicate
- Chaired opening committee, national “Syrian Icon” project
- Proven capacity to lead people and build lasting institutions
Why a Cultural Leader for a Peace Movement?
Wegner made the philosophical point explicit:
“It is no coincidence that a man of culture is stepping up to this role. Anyone who has devoted his life to the stage knows that before peace is signed on paper, it must be written in the hearts of a people.”
— Tom WegnerThe Abrahamic Movement has already established itself as a central player representing the Syrian peace camp. Millions of Syrians, according to the movement’s leadership, want to take part. Nofal’s energy, execution capabilities and absolute commitment to the vision of Abrahamic peace crafted by the movement’s founding generation are expected to expand the influence of Abrahamic Movement Syria, stabilize the organization, and help it become a household name across Syria as the mass movement creating peace on the ground.
Full Statement by Tom Wegner
In today’s Syria, anyone looking for the peace camp finds the Abrahamic Movement
I am delighted to announce that Sami Nofal has been appointed CEO of the Abrahamic Movement in Syria. The Council of the Abrahamic Movement Syria chose him today, and I embrace its choice.
Sami comes from the heart of Syrian culture. A graduate of the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus, since 2007 he has worked as an actor and director in film, theatre and television across Syrian and Arab productions. His short film “Salsal” (Clay), which he wrote and directed, won gold at the first Damascus Cinema Days festival. At the Syrian Opera House he created the epic dance operetta “Watan” (Homeland).
Beyond the stage, he headed the association for Syria’s dubbing profession, served as secretary of the central drama bodies of the Syrian Artists’ Syndicate, and chaired the opening committee of the national “Syrian Icon” project. He knows how to lead people and build institutions.
The Abrahamic Movement has established itself as a central player representing the Syrian peace camp, and millions of Syrians want to take part. Sami’s energy and execution capabilities, together with his absolute commitment to the vision of Abrahamic peace crafted by the movement’s founding generation, will help the Abrahamic Movement Syria expand its influence and stabilize the organization, on its path to becoming a household name across Syria as the mass movement creating peace on the ground.
It is no coincidence that a man of culture is stepping up to this role. Anyone who has devoted his life to the stage knows that before peace is signed on paper, it must be written in the hearts of a people.
Please join me in congratulating Sami and wishing him every success.
Welcome, Sami!
— Original post on X by Tom Wegner · 8 October 2026
The Abrahamic Movement in Syria – Context
The Abrahamic Movement is a global, grassroots network that seeks to build a shared regional identity among Jews, Christians, Muslims and related minority communities (including Druze, Alawite and others) on the basis of their common spiritual lineage to Abraham / Ibrahim. It describes itself not as a single organisation but as a coordinated ecosystem of local branches, dialogue forums, publications, delegations and grassroots projects.
In Syria the movement operates under the presidency of Engineer Jamal Sabbagh (also associated with the Syrian Government in Exile) and has been developing inter-community dialogue, including Alawite–Jewish encounters and other pluralist initiatives. The appointment of a CEO focused on institutional growth and cultural reach is intended to professionalise and scale that work.
Abrahamic Movement – Conceptual Framework
The movement’s premise: shared Abrahamic lineage as a practical basis for cooperation across faith communities in the Middle East.
Looking Ahead
With Sami Nofal now at the operational helm in Syria, the Abrahamic Movement aims to translate its growing network of supporters into durable local institutions, cultural outreach and on-the-ground peace-building. The appointment underscores a consistent theme in the movement’s approach: culture, art and institutional craftsmanship are not peripheral to peace – they are its necessary foundation.
Faith & Freedom News congratulates Sami Nofal on his appointment and wishes him every success in the work ahead.
Source: Tom Wegner’s announcement on X · Further reading on the Abrahamic Movement: abrahamic.org · Related FFN analysis: The Abrahamic Movement: A Regional Framework for Interfaith Cooperation
About the Photograph – Tom Wegner
Tom Wegner is an Israeli senior strategic consultant, author, and peace activist. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Abrahamic Movement and leads the PR firm “Wegner – Strategy and Communications,” which specialises in public campaigns. He also founded and leads the Middle East Center, an organisation that facilitates direct dialogue between Middle Eastern nations and promotes the creation of a shared Abrahamic identity.
In the past, Wegner held positions such as spokesperson for Prime Minister Ehud Barak, media consultant to Defense Minister Amir Peretz, and spokesperson for the Peres Center for Peace (under Shimon Peres). As a media consultant he has worked with numerous coexistence initiatives and international organisations that promote Israeli-Arab dialogue, including the UN, the European Union and the World Bank. During his military service in the IDF he was responsible for coordinating and liaising between the IDF and the Palestinian police in the Jericho area.
Over the years Wegner has built a unique network of relationships and collaborations with politicians, intellectuals and journalists in the Muslim world. In early 2024 he founded the Middle East Center as a platform for Zoom meetings and direct social-media dialogue aimed at developing a shared Abrahamic consciousness. The centre organises dialogue initiatives ranging from meetings between rabbis and imams to business collaborations and grassroots WhatsApp and Facebook groups.
Wegner is an award-winning author. His first book, Cannabis Wars, became a bestseller and won the Global Book Award (English edition). He is currently working on The Abrahamic Codex, co-authored with leaders and intellectuals from the Muslim world as a cornerstone of shared Abrahamic consciousness. The volume is being prepared at the request of Yedioth Books, Israel’s largest publishing house, and after publication in Hebrew will be translated into English and Arabic.
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