Maher al-Sharaa (Arabic: ماهر الشرع; born 1973) is a Syrian physician and politician serving as the acting minister of health in the Syrian Transitional Government since 16 December 2024 under prime minister Mohammad al-Bashir.[1][2]
Maher al-Sharaa | |
|---|---|
ماهر الشرع | |
| Minister of Health | |
| Assumed office 16 December 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Mohammed al-Bashir |
| Preceded by | Mazen Dukhan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1973 (age 50–51) Damascus, Syria |
| Parent | Hussein al-Sharaa (father) |
| Relatives | Ahmad al-Sharaa (brother) |
| Occupation | Politician, physician |
| Nickname | Maher al-Hussein (previously) |
Education
editAl-Sharaa holds a PhD in medical sciences and a diploma in health systems management.[3]
Politics
editAl-Sharaa was an advisor to the minister of health in the Syrian Salvation Government.[3]
On 16 December 2024, he was appointed minister of health in the Syrian transitional government. According to Shaam News Network, the appointment was viewed as nepotistic, given that al-Sharaa is brother of Syrian de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa. Maher al-Sharaa was criticised for what was seen as praise for medical staff of institutions that had been run by the Assad government and a "dismissive" attitude towards medical staff of institutions in northern areas of Syria independent from the Assad government.[3]
Personal life
editAl-Sharaa is the brother of Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and the de facto leader of Syria following the fall of the Assad regime.[4]
References
edit- ^ "al-Joulani Appoints Brother Maher as Health Minister in Syria: A Decision Sparks Criticism". Euronews (in Arabic). 18 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ "Ahmed al-Sharaa's brother Maher appointed as Health Minister in Syria, here's the truth". Al Bawaba. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Widespread Condemnation of Sharaa's Brother Appointment as Minister of Health & Rejection of His Condescending Rhetoric Towards Revolutionary Organizations, The Syrian Observer, 19 December 2024, Wikidata Q131522512, archived from the original on 21 December 2024
- ^ "Brother of the Leader of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham: Who is Dr. Maher al-Sharaa?". al-Mashhad (in Arabic). 17 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.