Thousands of Palestinians in Bethlehem’s Nativity Square erupted in joy Saturday night as the city’s Yacoub Shahin was declared winner of the 2017 Arab Idol contest.
Shahin sang the traditional winner’s song alongside fellow Palestinian contestant Amir Dandan and former Arab Idol Mohammed Assaf.
The three Palestinians improvised as they sang popular Palestinian songs about freedom, liberation and love of the nation.
They concluded with the song “Wein ah Ramallah” (“Going to Ramallah”) to frenzied reactions from the studio audience, the people of Palestine and Bethlehem crowds.
Shahin comes from the small Assyrian Christian community. His parents took refuge in Bethlehem from Jerusalem in the 1948 war.
Shahin was the favorite early on, despite almost dropping out of the contest because of a high fever. He has sung in churches, public events and Christmas concerts.
Draped with the Palestinian flag, he told the millions watching the program that he shares his victory with Dandun and Yemeni Ammar Mohammad.
MBC said the votes cast for the fourth Arab Idol were the highest yet.
A high-profile Palestinian delegation led by the son of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attended the show at the MBC studios in Beirut.

Source: Arab News