Ecstatic crowds in Bethlehem and Majd al-Krum, as well as everywhere else between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, on Saturday night erupted in joy when the winner of the Arab Idol singing contest in Beirut was finally announced, in a competition that began last November. Yacoub Shahin, a native of Bethlehem, was the choice of fans from across the Middle East, beating Israeli Arab Amir Dandan and Yemeni Ammar Mohammed in the final round.
Shahin, a Christian, is member of Bethlehem’s small community of Assyrians.
“This title is just a name for me because my idols are my compatriot Ammar and Amir. Ammar, you’ve raised your country’s name, Yemen, very high, and I’m sure they are all proud of you,” Shaneen said in his acceptance speech.
According to Ma’an, thousands packed Bethlehem’s Manger Square and the city streets, causing huge traffic jams. A similar scene was taking place in Majd al-Krum, an Arab town in northern Israel’s Galilee, birthplace of Dandan, now a US citizen.
In Bethlehem, the municipality erected a giant television screen at Manger Square to broadcast live the Friday night competition of the three finalists, and for Saturday night’s announcement. According to Ma’an, the same Bethlehem municipality also cut a deal with local phone provider Jawwal, reducing the price of SMS voting to about fifty cents, to encourage locals to vote for their native son.
A PA delegation to the finals in Beirut included Yasser Abbas, son of Palestinian Authority Charman Mahmoud Abbas, Ahmad Assaf, General Manager of the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation, and Bethlehem Mayor Vera Baboun.
Muhammad Assaf, from the Gaza Strip, the 2013 Arab Idol, was also on hand in Beirut for the final.