Arab Idol: Egypt, Syria and Palestine vie for the vote

Published June 16th, 2013 - 02:32 GMT

It’s almost the final countdown.

Throughout the region, Arabs are holding their breath in anticipation. But the collective suspense has nothing to do with F-16s. There’s no talk of no-fly zones. The only tears here will be shed after a perfect power ballad, rather than a run-in with the Turkish police.

Arab Idol’s into the final week and the three remaining contestants will clash this weekend, carrying the hopes of nations on their shoulders. Even political leaders are tuning in.

Red hot favorite Mohammad Assaf has not only won the voters’ hearts, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has thrown his considerable weight behind the soulful crooner.

Then there’s the delightful Syrian Farah Yousef, whose charm campaign is driving Bashar al-Assad to distraction, leaving wife Asma struggling to get a look in.

Even the Egyptian President’s a fan. Apparently Mohamed Morsi’s been following Ahmad Jamal’s progress all the way to the final. With the way that all Egyptians have united behind Ahmad, Morsi’s probably taking notes.

In fact, it wouldn’t be a bad idea if all the regional leaders took an evening off from politics this weekend and sat around the telly for some Arab Idol down time. Mansaf, non-alcoholic beer and sweet music - Geneva can wait.

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If you know nothing about Arab Idol, you’ll still have heard of Mohammad Assaf. The Palestinian act who has taken the ME by desert storm is the hands down favorite - incidentally known as “The Rocket.”

Ahmad Jamal may not know what it’s like to be in the ‘danger zone’ - he’s only been up for elimination once. That could be because of his sweet voice which may leave him poised to take a shot at the coveted Idol crown. Stay tuned! We can’t speak for the masses but the Egyptian talent has certainly got Morsi’s vote.

Syrian singer Farah Youssef is being deployed by Hezbollah and Assad. Naw, we’re just joking. But her warm-sounding voice has garnered support from the regime. She’s never being up for elimination, but that may mean she’s due for one. Only time will tell …

This season has been nothing short of interesting. There was the ‘playful’ marriage proposal by Sherine Abdel Wahab to Mohammad Assaf, plenty of tweets from fans to beloved contestants and as always a good share of feisty drama between judges and singers.

Nothing like a good ol’ Twitter fight between judges. Things became especially heated when Ragheb Alama described Ahlam’s clothes as “revealing.”Not enough drama for you? Ragheb was even accused of blasphemy in one episode. Bam!

Death threats? Assassination rumors? Business as usual in the world of Arab Idol. Contestant Kareem Hamdan was accused of consorting with the Syrian opposition when he received death threats from regime supporters. There was also chatter of an assassination attempt on Iraqi singer Mohanad Al Marsumi.

While the Arab world may not agree on how to solve the problem of Palestine, they might all be rallying around hot favorite Palestinian Assaf for the prize. He’s said to be a shoo-in for the title, unless Israel scuppers the vote!

If you know nothing about Arab Idol, you’ll still have heard of Mohammad Assaf. The Palestinian act who has taken the ME by desert storm is the hands down favorite - incidentally known as “The Rocket.”

Ahmad Jamal may not know what it’s like to be in the ‘danger zone’ - he’s only been up for elimination once. That could be because of his sweet voice which may leave him poised to take a shot at the coveted Idol crown. Stay tuned! We can’t speak for the masses but the Egyptian talent has certainly got Morsi’s vote.

Syrian singer Farah Youssef is being deployed by Hezbollah and Assad. Naw, we’re just joking. But her warm-sounding voice has garnered support from the regime. She’s never being up for elimination, but that may mean she’s due for one. Only time will tell …

This season has been nothing short of interesting. There was the ‘playful’ marriage proposal by Sherine Abdel Wahab to Mohammad Assaf, plenty of tweets from fans to beloved contestants and as always a good share of feisty drama between judges and singers.

Nothing like a good ol’ Twitter fight between judges. Things became especially heated when Ragheb Alama described Ahlam’s clothes as “revealing.”Not enough drama for you? Ragheb was even accused of blasphemy in one episode. Bam!

Death threats? Assassination rumors? Business as usual in the world of Arab Idol. Contestant Kareem Hamdan was accused of consorting with the Syrian opposition when he received death threats from regime supporters. There was also chatter of an assassination attempt on Iraqi singer Mohanad Al Marsumi.

While the Arab world may not agree on how to solve the problem of Palestine, they might all be rallying around hot favorite Palestinian Assaf for the prize. He’s said to be a shoo-in for the title, unless Israel scuppers the vote!

Tags:Geneva Facebook Turkish police Bashar al-Assad Ahmad Jamal Mohammad Assaf mahmoud abbas Farah Yousef Asma

Arab Idol: Egypt, Syria and Palestine vie for the vote

If you know nothing about Arab Idol, you’ll still have heard of Mohammad Assaf. The Palestinian act who has taken the ME by desert storm is the hands down favorite - incidentally known as “The Rocket.”

Syrian singer Farah Youssef is being deployed by Hezbollah and Assad. Naw, we’re just joking. But her warm-sounding voice has garnered support from the regime. She’s never being up for elimination, but that may mean she’s due for one. Only time will tell …

This season has been nothing short of interesting. There was the ‘playful’ marriage proposal by Sherine Abdel Wahab to Mohammad Assaf, plenty of tweets from fans to beloved contestants and as always a good share of feisty drama between judges and singers.

Nothing like a good ol’ Twitter fight between judges. Things became especially heated when Ragheb Alama described Ahlam’s clothes as “revealing.”Not enough drama for you? Ragheb was even accused of blasphemy in one episode. Bam!

While the Arab world may not agree on how to solve the problem of Palestine, they might all be rallying around hot favorite Palestinian Assaf for the prize. He’s said to be a shoo-in for the title, unless Israel scuppers the vote!

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