Lebanese singer Rageb Alama might not have released any new music for a long time, but he is serious about his judging stint on Arab Idol. “I decided to join the show because of the recession we’re seeing on the music scene at the moment,” he told Arabstoday in an exclusive interview. Alama was thrilled that Nancy Ajram had decided to join the judging panel on Arab Idol. “We might both be Lebanese but I will make my decisions objectively,” he said. Alama also expressed hopes that political conflicts would reach solutions soon, not least because of the effect divisions in the Arab world are having on music and the arts.