LEBANON: Arab idol contestants from across the region prepare for eagerly awaited final

Record ID: 431162

  • Title: LEBANON: Arab idol contestants from across the region prepare for eagerly awaited final
  • Date: 5th June 2013
  • Summary: 'ARAB IDOL' LOGO INSIDE STAGE STUDIO PALESTINIAN CONTESTANT MOHAMMED ASSAF SINGING ON STAGE DURING REHEARSALS MORE OF ASSAF SINGING CLOSE OF 'ARAB' IN ARAB IDOL LOGO
  • Embargoed: 20th June 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lebanon
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA1NIM7LP3U4DQAFZ62H78XBUWC
  • Story Text: Arabs around the world gather in front of their televisions every Friday and Saturday to watch the upcoming stars performing their favourite songs in the Middle East's version of TV talent show 'American Idol'.
    In its second season on the MBC channel, Arab Idol has become something of a phenomenon, bringing contestants of different nationalities together from across the region despite turbulence and civil war in some countries.
    The contest started in March with 13 contestants from different Arab countries. After auditions, six finalists from Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Morocco and Egypt are now competing for the title of 'Arab Idol', with the conclusion of the series on June 22.
    Mohammed Assaf, a 23-year-old Palestinian journalism student from Khan Younis camp in Gaza, has already started his singing career, but is now on track to become a major Arab star, local and international newspapers opine, whether he wins the competition or not.
    Assaf says he feels a huge responsibility in representing his people and is gratified with the support he has received.
    "Honestly, it's something great. The support from people is so great, especially during the difficult political situation, the difficult circumstances, the occupation, and the suffering of my people for such a long time. I'm a child of this generation, I lived through the Al Aqsa Intifada and I suffered with the nation. I live in Khan Younis camp in Gaza. I suffered a lot. But the nice thing is that they (Palestinians) always know how to be happy,'' Assaf told Reuters in a backstage interview during the rehearsals for the final.
    The long journey from Gaza to Egypt for the auditions and the difficulties he faced en route were all worth it, Assaf said.
    "Some newspapers, like Hebrew newspapers, said that Assaf united the Palestinians behind his voice, by his participation. This is a great honour for me that I unite the Palestinians, if only."
    Moroccan contestant, Salma Rachid, is only 19-years-old, but has garnered fans from across the middle east with her mature voice. Having acted as a hobby, she decided to switch to singing with the support of her relatives and friends.
    Ziad Khoury, a 25-year-old from Lebanon, has inherited his singing skills from his father. He hopes the competition promotes a message of joy at a time when much of the Arab world is in turmoil.
    "The entire Arab world is passing through a phase which isn't good, if we can say that. Arab Idol really came at a time to bring joy to these people's hearts, happiness is really lacking in the Arab world. There are wars, there are...there's no peace in the Arab world. God willing we can deliver this message, because the artist's goal is to send a message to the public. I hope we can send a good message to the Arab world, and when they watch us, they can forget about what is happening around them,'' said Khoury.
    Syrian Abdel-Karim Hamdan left the competition last Saturday (June 1), leaving Farah Youssef the only participant representing Syria, which has been embroiled in a civil war for more than two years.
    But despite the violence in her country, the 24-year old artist decided to challenge herself and audition for Arab Idol.
    ''Everyone is on my side, they're giving me strength and encouraging me, and everyone is telling me that I made them proud, our country is in pain, but little by little you have treated this pain. The people are in pain and wounded, but slowly, slowly you've given them a little happiness.'' Youssef is determined to present a positive face for Syria.
    "Our country is in pain, our country doesn't need people to cry about it. It needs people to work, to say 'Hello, I'm here, I'm here. I'm the best, I'm among the best. This how the country will grow, it wont grow if we're sad and stay at home. Our feelings are in our hearts, but on the ground we need to work, that's what I'm doing, I'm saying to all my Syrian brothers and sisters, please do the same.'' The Egyptian contestant, Ahmad Jamal, is a 25-year old pharmacist who decided to take up his old hobby as a career.
    Jamal said the show had united Arabs in a way politics couldn't.
    "I will start with a word that King Mohammed Munir said, he said that the television shows that we are watching now, and especially a programme like Arab Idol - it's done the work that politics couldn't do, and this is a great phrase and a strong message.'' Social media and newspapers show how popular the competition has become. Nancy Ajram, Lebanese singer and one of the judges in Arab Idol said the show made her proud.
    "I want to say that I am very proud of the level present with us on Arab Idol, from voices - girls and guys, great voices," Ajram said live on air.
    The other judges are Lebanese singer Ragheb Alameh, Emirati artist Ahlam and music distributor Hassan Al-Shafihi - all well-known figures in the Arabic musical and artistic fields.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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