Young Palestinian singer from Gaza Strip Mohammed Assaf was crowned on Saturday the “Arab Idol,” a singing contest organized by the Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC).
Immediately after he was crowned, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) named him a goodwill ambassador for peace, while Palestinian President Mohamoud Abbas offered him a position with “diplomatic standing.”
Assaf, who came ahead of two other contestants, Syria’s Farah Yousef and Egypt’s Ahmed Jamal, dedicated his award to the Palestinian people.
The 22-year-old Gazan singer brought together divided Palestinians in celebrations throughout the Palestinian territories in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Crowds in Rammallah and Gaza City bust with joy soon after Lebanese famous singer, Asi al-Hilani, handed the trophy to Assaf.
There are no accredited music institutes and Assaf often performed at concerts and parties in Gaza.
Last year, Egyptian female singer Carmen Suleiman won the contest and awarded a Chevrolet sports car and recorded a contract with UAE-based Platinum Records.
Source: Al Arabiya
