ZAHER AL JAMOUS

My name is Zaher Al Jamous. I am a Syrian-born writer, journalist, and media activist who has become a prominent voice for human rights and women's empowerment in Switzerland.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1978 in Daraa, Syria, I grew up as one of eleven siblings. I pursued higher education in English literature at the University of Damascus. Following my studies, I worked  as a presenter and correspondent for Syrian state television. Later  as an English teacher. A freelance writer for UAE magazine as trans Emaiters and  Market news. 

I am currently pursuing a Master's degree at the University of Bern in the Department of Middle east studies at the university of Bern.

Exile and Life in Switzerland

The outbreak of the war in  Syrian  in 2011 profoundly affected  my life . In 2015, seeking safety and a better future for my kids, I fled Syria with my three children and sought asylum in Switzerland. we settled in Bern, where I have since become an active participant in the local media and cultural scene.

Media and Activism

In Switzerland, I have continued my work in media and advocacy:

Lucify.ch: I  serve as an editor for this intercultural online platform, which focuses on stories and issues pertinent to women and migrants. 

Radio RaBe: I hosts with a team the program "Vox Mundi" on this Bern-based community radio station, providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives.

Stand-up comedy 

My stand-up comedy performances serve as a powerful platform to explore and confront the complexities of asylum, integration, and racial discrimination. By weaving personal stories with political insight, I use humor as a disarming tool to expose injustices, challenge prevailing stereotypes, and spark meaningful conversations about migration policies and cultural identity—both in Europe and the Middle East. This comedic lens allows me not only to critique systemic issues, but also to humanize marginalized voices, transforming laughter into a catalyst for empathy and social change.

Legacy and Impact

Through my work, I have become a vital link between Syrian refugees and Swiss society, using media as a tool for integration, education, and advocacy. My efforts continue to shed light on the experiences of displaced individuals and the importance of democratic freedoms.

MY New Radio Project

I am currently working on producing a radio drama series titled “Al-Azal”, consisting of four episodes, each lasting between thirty to forty minutes. This marks a new artistic experience in both form and content within the Swiss cultural and media scene.

This project presents a particular challenge for ME, as it is being produced in German, which required significant effort from me to translate the original Arabic script without compromising its essence or spirit.

The series features more than thirty actors and actresses, primarily Swiss and Syrians residing in Switzerland, which gives the project a rich cultural dimension and reflects the spirit of diversity and artistic openness that I seek to embody in MY work.

The series focuses on delivering humanitarian, social, and political messages with dramatic depth, relying on an innovative narrative style that blends multilingualism and experimentation, giving it a contemporary artistic character that resonates with the realities of multicultural societies.

This project is a natural extension of my  approach in using media and art as tools to connect communities and promote cultural understanding, while maintaining the critical and human rights-oriented dimension that characterizes my work.