Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Media ID: 55339471
Caption:

Syrian singer Hazem Sharif, 21, from Aleppo in northern Syria, performs on “Arab Idol,” broadcast by MBC Arabic satellite channel in Zouk Mosbeh neighborhood, north of Beirut, December 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Syrian wins Arab Idol contest, steers clear of politics

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Dec 14, 2014 | Lifestyle & Culture

Beirut, Reuters—A young man from Syria’s battle-ravaged city of Aleppo won the annual “Arab Idol” singing contest late on Saturday, then prayed to God to end calamities in his country. Hazim Sharif steered clear of specific political references in...

Media ID: 55308014
Caption:

Fans wait for the arrival of Palestinian “Arab Idol” Mohammed Assaf in front his home in Khan Yunis town in the southern Gaza Strip June 25, 2013. Source: AFP Photo/Mahmud Hams

MBC: ‘Arab Idol’ finale watched by 100 million

by Vivian Haddad | Jul 1, 2013 | Media

Beirut/London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Despite the fact that this is only its second year on the air, the series finale of Arab Idol received 100 million viewers, according to estimates by broadcaster MBC, propelling its winner, 23-year-old Palestinian Mohammed Assaf, to...

Media ID: 55307812
Caption:

A boy holds a poster with a portrait of Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf while waiting in front of the singer’s family house at the Khan Younis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, 25 June 2013. EPA/ALI ALI.

Opinion: Mohammed Assaf and change in Gaza

by Bakir Oweida | Jun 30, 2013 | Opinion

When Hamas assumed full control over Gaza in June 15, 2007, Mohammed Assaf— born in September 10, 1989—was less than 16 years old. When Assaf arrived in Khan Yunis from Beirut as the winner of Arab Idol on 25 June, Hamas had been ruling Gaza for six years. I formed...