native_name_lang religion birth_place nationality parents native_name birth_date residence image article_title education name occupation
ar muslim idlib governorate , syria syrian mostafa , fahima غسان عبود 04 august 1967 united arab emirates ghassan aboud.jpg ghassan aboud
 damascus university , journalism ghassan aboud journalism , trading
ghassan aboud

muhammed ghassan aboud -lrb- ; born 1967 -rrb- is a dubai based self-made syrian billionaire entrepreneur , philanthropist , and a founding member of the syrian business council .
he is mainly known as the founder of orient media which runs the largest pro-opposition television , radio , and online media network in syria .
in june 2011 , he led and organized the first major conference of syrian intellectuals , activists , businessmen , and civil society organizers to discuss the future of syria following the onset of the syrian revolution in 2011 .
his outspoken stance against the assad regime , opposition to isis , and extensive support for humanitarian aid in syria has made him a frequent target of threats .
following his refusal to hand over a majority stake of orient media to rami makhlouf , an influential businessman and cousin to bashar al-assad , ghassan 's house and personal property in syria were all confiscated by syrian security forces .
he has since lived in exile in dubai and belgium .
