| Submit your comments on this article | ||
| Israel-Palestine-Jordan | ||
| 'Arab Idol' Winner Wants To Give Back To Gaza | ||
| 2014-10-24 | ||
| [Ynet] Winner of TV talent contest Mohammed Assaf plans to establish arts center in Gazoo for musicians, writers, actors as act of support for hometown. 'My generation is frustrated,' Assaf said. Last year's feel-good winner of the TV singing contest "Arab Idol" said Wednesday he wants to give back to Gazoo, where he grew up, by setting up an arts center nurturing young musicians, writers and actors. The center would be funded by Paleostinian Americans who have pledged support, Mohammed Assaf, 24, said in an interview in the Gazoo City office of The News Agency that Dare Not be Named.
Since the Hamas takeover of Gazoo in 2007, residents of the crowded territory have endured an Israeli-Egyptian border blockade and three wars between Israel and Hamas. Assaf, who grew up in Gazoo's Khan Younis refugee camp, catapulted to regional fame after his Arab Idol win and also performed in the US. He has visited Gazoo twice this year. "Both times, I found Gazooks to be very sad, but this time I see much more sadness," he said, referring to the period since the summer's war between Israel and Hamas. "My generation is frustrated," he said. "Everyone I met asked me to help them leave the country. They want to leave because they have no hope. Problems here are so big and complicated. Blockade, division, wars." Assaf said he felt equally hopeless before last year's competition in Beirut. He couldn't find a job after college and dreamed of getting a civil service job for $300 a month, he said. "Thank God, I had this rare opportunity," he said. | ||
| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #1 First, well done. Gaza needs a culture, and interests outside of the mono-dimensional hatred of Israel. A little tip. Don't let Hamas hide any munitions under the Arts Center, and it might be safe. |
| Posted by: Incredulous 2014-10-24 06:06 |