- City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
- Dubai 04:27 05:45 12:20 15:47 18:49 20:07
Mohammed Assaf (C) performs next to hosts Annabella Hilal (R) and Ahmad Fahmi (L) after winning the "Arab Idol" singing contest in Zouk Mosbeh, north of the Lebanese capital Beirut. (AFP)
You knew it was inevitable and Dubai has made it happen by bagging the first ever concert by Arab Idol winner, Mohammed Assaf.
The Palestinian wedding singer, who won the reality TV contest on June 22 in a landslide victory that even saw President Mahmoud Abbas lend his support, will be held on August 15 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Joining Assaf on stage will be ‘Arab Idol’ finalists, Ahmed Jamal from Egypt and Syria’s Faran Youssef.
All three will share the spotlight with singing superstar and fellow ‘Arab Idol’ judge, Ragheb Alama.
The 23-year-old Assaf’s victory on Saturday night has given new hope to Palestinians across the globe who have followed the young refugee’s arduous journey that began last November, from getting special permission from Hamas to compete in the reality show, to bribing border guards in Egypt to allow him passage to Lebanon.
After arriving too late to register, a fellow Palestinian reportedly gave up his spot under the belief that Assaf had a better chance to win.
Assaf’s win has not only gained support from his fellow countrymen, but has also earned him accolades from the Palestinian government, with the singer having been appointed as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, along with a diplomatic passport.
He has also won a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro and inked a music deal with Platinum Records.
What is expected to be a sold-out performance on August 15, with the singer trending on Twitter even before his landmark win, tickets for the show are already on sale on Ticketingco, with prices starting at Dh150, Dh500, Dh700 and Dh900.
Watch this space for more details.
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