Gaza singer wins Arab Idol contest

Mohammed Assaf from the Gaza Strip gave Palestinians a reason to smile and celebrate by winning the Arab Idol talent TV show. The 23-year-old unknown wedding singer turned local hero, sparked off celebrations across the Palestinian territories.

Millions watched the contests held in the Lebanese capital and aired on Beirut-based MBC TV. Assaf was declared winner after battling it with Ahmed Jamal from Egypt and Farah Youssef from Syria. His final politically flavoured song asked for the Palestinian scarf to be raised and demanded reconciliation.

Assaf was born in Libya to Palestinian parents. He got held at the Rafah border crossing and had to implore Hamas officials to let him to leave Gaza for the contest. Arriving late at the auditions in Egypt, he auditioned after another Palestinian contestant offered him his slot. This is the first time a Gaza based singer won the event.

President Mahmoud Abbas, had called on all Palestinians to support their singer. Local businesses printed posters to support him and paid for billboards across the territory.

When the singer was declared the winner, fireworks were set off in Gaza City and East Jerusalem. Traffic was gridlocked as the streets flooded with people dancing and celebrating.

Assaf and his Gaza supporters hope he will now be granted permission to hold concerts in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.