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Arab Idol winner Mohammad Assaf makes his first foreign trip to Dubai after winning the title. (Twitter)
This isn't the 'Summer of 69' and it might not have lasted forever for Bryan Adams but the sweltering summer of 2013 might perhaps be the best days for Arab Idol Mohammad Assaf and will last forever.
After being newly crowned as the Arab Idol on June 22, Palestinian Assaf made his first overseas trip to Dubai on June 29.
When the broadcaster MBC announced Assaf's visit in Dubai last week, around 4,500 people registered on Facebook confirming their presence.
Crowd gathering around the make-shift stage near a car-park in Dubai Media City. (Twitter)
But the crowd that gathered around a make-shift stage beside a car park in Dubai Media City yesterday (June 29) was not less than 5000 strong supporters and fans from across UAE.
Thousands UAE's Palestinian community showed up, wearing traditional scarves, singing popular Palestinian songs and chanting Assaf's name.
The make-shift stage and the car park was transformed in to a concert arena. The singer is in Dubai to record a single for Ramadan.
There were large video screens playing songs of the young Palestinian's most popular performances during his stint in the reality talent show.
Assaf arrived like a true star in a stretch Hummer and after making his way to the stage promptly belted out 'Alli Il Koufiye', much to the joy and surprise of the crowd gathered.
Assaf thanked the crowd for coming out in large number and supporting him.
The former wedding singer is now a proud owner of a new Chevrolet Camaro and a recording contract with Platinum Records.
After the win Assaf had received a rapturous welcome on his return to Gaza.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), named the 23-year-old singer as the first UNRWA Regional Youth Ambassador for Palestine Refugees.
The first Palestinian to win Arab Idol, Assaf was born to Palestine refugee parents in Libya. He returned to the Gaza Strip with his family at age 4 and was raised largely in the refugee camp in Khan Younis. He has described himself as a “son of Palestine” and a “son of UNRWA”: his mother is an UNRWA teacher, and he himself was educated in UNRWA schools.
Assaf will return to Dubai after Ramadan as part of his first international tour. The concert will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on August 15.
You can grab your tickets from www.ticketingco.com starting at Dh150.
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