Syria’s Hazem Sharif has won this year’s edition of Arab Idol, a popular show that is estimated to reach an audience of over 100 million across the MENA region. Sharif was crowned season-three winner of the MBC show, based on the successful international format from Simon Fuller and FremantleMedia. The 21-year-old, who hails from conflict-ravaged […]
Syria’s Hazem Sharif has won this year’s edition of Arab Idol, a popular show that is estimated to reach an audience of over 100 million across the MENA region.
Sharif was crowned season-three winner of the MBC show, based on the successful international format from Simon Fuller and FremantleMedia. The 21-year-old, who hails from conflict-ravaged Aleppo, beat fellow contestants Majid Al Madani of Saudi Arabia and Palestinian Haitham Khalailah, following a final live performance broadcast across the region via satellite.
“I just want to address the Syrian people and all of Syria. It would be my honour, and I wish, to have my first performance in Syria,” Sharif told reporters after the show.
He wins a cash prize of 250,000 Saudi riyals (US$66,000), and a three-single deal with Dubai-based Platinum Records. Sharif will also be flown to the Seychelles courtesy of series sponsor Emirates.
Judges Ahlam, from the UAE, Lebanese singers Nancy Ajram and Wael Kfouri and Hassan Al ShafeÂ’ei, an Egyptian music production expert, all cheered as Sharif accepted the award.
