Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has said his attendance at a sports event in Damascus which drew backlash over "suggestive" dance routines was unplanned, and that he had not been aware of the programme beforehand.
His remarks came after criticism of a performance during the reopening of Al-Fayhaa Sports Hall in Damascus, where male and female dancers performed to the sexually provocative song "Work It" by Missy Elliott ahead of a friendly basketball match between Syria and Lebanon.
In a video shared widely on social media , the Syrian president, who formerly headed the now-dissolved hardline Islamist group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), appeared visibly uncomfortable as the dancers performed
In comments reported by Arabic media, Sharaa said: "Attending the event was not part of the programme," adding that he had been invited "about half an hour before the start" and that "we did not have any knowledge of the programme".
"I was somewhat surprised by this kind of performance," he said, adding that "celebrations on such occasions should, to some extent, reflect the traditions and customs of the region, and at the same time express culture and try to convey a message through such events".
He said he "did not find a clear message in it", and instead chose to go down onto the court among the audience.
The event marked the reopening of the indoor sports venue following renovation and was intended to showcase a return to public cultural and sporting life, but quickly sparked debate online and among religious figures.
A number of imams and mosque preachers in the city of Hama issued a statement condemning what they described as "unacceptable violations" during the ceremony, saying it undermined the values and identity of Syrian society.
Criticism also spread online, where some Syrian and Muslim social media users argued over whether it was appropriate for Sharaa to attend such an event, with women dancing in what they deemed to be an "inappropriate" manner, set to a song containing overtly sexual language.
The clerics called on the government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event and hold those responsible accountable, while urging organisers of public events to respect cultural and religious norms.
Sharaa said he had directed authorities to ensure future national events are "linked to the customs and culture of Syria".
Since coming to power at the end of 2024 after overthrowing former dictator Bashar al-Assad, Sharaa has left behind his hardline Islamist roots and tried to present a more moderate and inclusive face, while maintaining personal piety.