MBC’s Arab Idol has been condemned by some religious conservatives and political activists as a Western import, a frivolous distraction adversely affecting the Arab world’s values. I would argue that they’re mistaken on both counts. While it’s true that the show’s title and format is an American franchise, it possesses an entirely different spirit bringing Arabs together, promoting patriotism and offering a glimmer of hope to the struggling and the seemingly hopeless, enmeshed in either conflict or poverty. Initially, it was just a copycat, but since it’s evolved and taken on a life of its own; the judges are more nurturing than their American counterparts and there’s greater interaction between contestants, judges and audiences.
I hate to sound clichéd but there really was love in the room during Saturday’s finale. And more importantly, the joy extended to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and those in the Diaspora who, despite their political and ideological differences, were united in celebrating the victory of one of their own, dubbed “The rocket of peace from Gaza” by panelist Ragheb Alama.
I can’t claim to be an aficionado of Arab singing talent, but I know a memorable voice when I hear one and, in truth, all three finalists — Ahmed Jamal from Egypt, Farah Youssef from Syria and the young man from Gaza Mohammed Assaf — were all equally worthy of the title “Arab Idol.” During those nail-biting moments before the winner was announced, I was convinced that the glory would go to Jamal, primarily because Egypt with a population of over 90 million is far more populous than either Syria or Palestine. And to be honest, because Alexandria is my adopted home, I was silently rooting for the boy from the neighboring city of Tanta, who’s not only a great singer but also an accomplished oud player.
It seems Mohammed Assaf was ill prepared to hear his name; his face stricken with utter disbelief, he fell to the ground and had to be assisted to his feet before escaping the limelight for a time to recover from the shock. My favorite may have lost out but for some reason I was ecstatic witnessing a young lad who grew up in the Khan Younis refugee camp, one of the poorest places on earth, achieve such great heights. As he kissed his nation’s flag with unmistakable devotion and reached out to his compatriots everywhere, it hit me just how deprived the Palestinians are of such feel-good moments and how wonderful it is that a charismatic 23-year-old with an uncanny resemblance to the soulful Abdel Halim Hafez could ignite Palestinian national pride and bring fleeting unity to a people divided.
This year, the win comes with much more than a singing contract and a shiny new car. The Palestinian National Authority cleverly capitalized on the success of the lone Palestinian entrant by launching a campaign to drum up popular support, while at least two Palestinian cellular companies cut their rates to facilitate phone balloting. President Mahmoud Abbas and former Prime Minister Salam Fayyad sought to bolster Assaf’s morale by calling him prior to the finale. Yes, the politicians tipped the balance, but since there was nothing stopping other leaderships from doing the same and no obstacle to citizens of other countries from rallying, nobody can claim Mohammed was given an unfair edge.
What a difference a few short months have made in his life! In March, he was a wedding singer vulnerable to arrest by Hamas security hardliners (he told The Guardian that he had been arrested 20 times). Today, he’s been promised a diplomatic passport allowing for greater freedom to travel; he’s been appointed a Palestinian Goodwill Ambassador and a UNRWA Youth Ambassador for Peace. Even hard hearted Israel authorities have opened slightly. After two years waiting for a permit, he’s finally being allowed to visit the West Bank. No wonder Assaf, surrounded by graying men in suits hovering to hand him awards, looked like he was having a hard time taking it all in! And it’s no surprise that his mother, clad in a traditional Palestinian dress, was bursting with pride, simultaneously laughing and crying. I must admit to having damp eyes myself.
The miracle is that he made the Cairo auditions at all. By all accounts, he had to beg his way out of Gaza and bribe his way into Egypt before traveling six hours by road to reach the Egyptian capital. He arrived too late to enroll and called his mother to say he was on his way home. She urged him not to give up on his dream so he jumped over the wall of the hotel where auditions were being held only to discover he was too late to register. Stymied again, he sang to the queues awaiting their chance — and as luck would have it, another would-be Palestinian contestant was driven to sacrifice his own slot for a compatriot with exceptional singing talent.
Mohammed Assad has proved that even such a joyless, stricken place like Gaza, an open prison, ruled by stern faced authoritarians for whom song is an anathema, cannot quench personal ambition or the human need for artistic self-expression. Music not only touches men’s souls, it’s an international language with no barriers of race, religion or color. In a region where bad news is the norm, Arab Idol serves as a beacon of light allowing young Arabs to set aside their differences and share their emotions. Moreover, in an era when Arabs are routinely maligned in the US and Europe, it serves as a cultural bridge allowing Westerners to reassess their ingrained stereotypes.
The sky’s the limit for Mohammed Assaf. His incredible story is far from over. I can hardly wait to see it unfold. He is blessed with a unique platform; he’s gained a position of influence. No more a mere singing voice, he’s an ambassador for an oppressed people who’ve been battling against occupation for over 60 years. Now he must put his voice to good use on their behalf. May God guide his efforts!
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