The body of Syrian actress and theater artist Diala Al-Wadi, daughter of the late musician Solhi Al-Wadi, will be laid to rest on Thursday, following the noon prayer at Bilal Al-Habashi Mosque in Damascus, before being buried in Najha Cemetery.

Condolences for both men and women will be received on Saturday and Sunday, August 9 and 10, at the Syrian Doctors’ Syndicate Hall in the Abu Rummaneh district, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A joint memorial service will also be held on Sunday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the same location.

A Horrific Crime Shakes the Artistic and Cultural Community

Diala Al-Wadi passed away at dawn on Monday as a result of a brutal murder inside her home in the upscale Al-Malki neighborhood of Damascus. The incident sent shockwaves through Syrian public opinion and left the artistic and cultural communities in deep sorrow, having known her as a quiet, intellectual presence in the theater and literary scenes for many years.

Strangulation and Robbery Orchestrated by a Cleaning Worker

According to details released by the Syrian Ministry of Interior, Diala was strangled after being followed by the perpetrator to her home entrance, where he then broke in and committed the crime for the purpose of theft.

Swift action by security authorities led to the identification of the suspects in less than 24 hours. Investigations revealed that the crime was coordinated between a cleaning worker who had recently been hired by the victim and her husband.

Suspects Arrested in Record Time

The cleaning worker was apprehended in the Jaramana area, where part of the stolen items was found in her home. Her husband was also arrested and immediately confessed to the crime, even reenacting it at the scene.

Brigadier General Osama Mohammad Khair Atkeh, head of internal security in Damascus, confirmed that both suspects were referred to the Criminal Investigation Branch to complete the investigation. Public Prosecutor in Damascus, Judge Hossam Khattab, emphasized that the case is being followed with utmost seriousness.

Diala Al-Wadi: A Quiet Presence and a Deeply Cultured Artist

The late Diala Al-Wadi graduated from the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in 1986 and performed in many notable productions on the stage of the National Theater throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

She was known for her intellectual depth and active participation in Syria's cultural movement. Despite stepping out of the public spotlight in recent years, she remained a respected figure in both the artistic and literary circles.

Her tragic passing is not only a cultural loss but a human one, leaving a profound void in the Syrian cultural scene that had long celebrated her calm voice and thoughtful mind.