Mazen Hayek and the incredible journeys of Arab Idol

The Arab Idol juggernaut has eclipsed its roots as a regional hit and grown to become an international phenomenon.

Powered by the stirring victory of last season’s winner, the Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf, Arab Idol has generated plenty of headlines around the world for providing a heart-warming human dimension to the format.

It may technically be classified as a talent show, but according to the MBC Group spokesman Mazen Hayek, Arab Idol’s success lies in its good old-fashioned storytelling.

“We are always very keen on delivering the best television, bar none,” he says. “Who wins, who doesn’t, is of no importance to us. From which country or which religion or which sect is also of no importance.

“We are all about giving equal opportunities to our contestants.”

He concedes, however, that there are some exceptions who deserve special treatment, not least in the case of Assaf, whose life story and talents were so compelling that the show couldn’t help but shine the spotlight on his incredible journey.

Original article by Saeed Saeed

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Mazen Hayek and the incredible journeys of Arab Idol