Of the hundreds of hopefuls who flocked to Dubai's Jumeirah Beach Hotel to audition for the fourth season of Arab Idol, only six were selected to advance to the second round.
With Dubai acting as such a hub for the region, people of all nationalities and backgrounds gave it their best shot at the UAE audition, and the results showed on the latest episode, screened on November 25.
The first Dubai-based contestant to appear in front of the four celebrity judges – Egyptian record producer Hassan Al Shafei, Emirati singer Ahlam Al Shamsi and Lebanese pop stars Nancy Ajram and Wael Kfoury – was 26-year-old Murshid ’Atta from Saudi Arabia. This was his second time auditioning for the show – in season two, he advanced through a few of the early stages before being voted off.
Ahlam remembered him immediately, and was eager to hear him sing again. All four judges voted him him through to the next stage.
“I really hope you go further in the competition this time,” said Ahlam as all the judges agreed it was an excellent start for the Dubai auditions.
The judges unanimously voted for two more men and two women to advance: 27-year-old Ammar Mohammed from Yemen, 28-year-old Amani Mabrouk from Saudi Arabia, 27-year-old Munad Khalil from Sudan, and 26-year-old Omniya Hassan from Egypt.
But it was the final contestant to audition in Dubai who really impressed the judges.
Bandar Mohammed Mukri, 31, from Saudi Arabia, appeared carrying his oud. He had flown in from Chicago, where he was studying for a business degree.
“Before I went to Chicago, at about 20, my father passed away so I changed my plans and had to work to support my family,” he told them. “Then when years passed, now that my family is more secure, I was able to pick up where I left off and travel to the US to complete my studies. But I also want to focus on my talent and my dreams of performance.”
He then sang, while playing the oud. All four judges were visibly impressed.
Ahlam told him his was the best audition they had seen in Dubai, and he has the most beautiful voice.
“I’m so optimistic and so excited,” said Mukri.
The episode – the fourth of the new season – completed the initial audition stage of the popular pan-Arab singing competition. Next up is the second round, in Beirut, where the judges will begin voting off some of their original choices.
• Arab Idol is on MBC1 every Friday, 10pm UAE time. Previous episodes can be viewed online at www.shahed.net
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