Nihad Qalei

Nehad Qalei (Arabic: ) was a Syrian actor and screenwriter. He was among the founders of Syrian Arab Television. Alongside Duraid Lahham, he formed one of the most iconic duos in Syrian television.

Early life Nehad Qalei was born as Nehad Al-Kharboutli Al-Qalei in the Lebanese city of Zahlé to a Syrian-Kurdish family. His father worked there in the telegraph and postal service. In the 1930s, they moved to Damascus, living first on Shura Avenue in the Al-Muhajreen neighborhood.

Death In 1976, Qalei was tragically paralyzed in an attack, which eventually led to his death in 1993. After having been hit by a chair over his head in the historic center of Damascus, he was paralyzed and then died a slow death. It is said that the person who beat him was one of the members of the Defense Brigades, founded by Rifaat al-Assad. Fellow actor and screenwriter Duraid Lahham and Qalei were staying up late at the Family Club restaurant in the Bab Touma before the attack happened.