They're a young and talented group of singers who originally auditioned for The X Factor Middle East as soloists. The 5 are Ahmed Hassan from Egypt, Adel Echibi from Morocco, Kazem Chamas from Lebanon and the Algerian duo Said Karmouz and BMD. Young girls across the Arab world are already crazy about them; declarations of love abound on their YouTube videos, Instagram pictures and Facebook updates. Their selfies are shared no less than 500 times in the span of a few hours. And we've discovered five Facebook pages created by fans – two of which are closed and require a membership request – and all of which have members in the thousands.
The 5, who were one of the most popular acts on the first live episode of The X Factor that was broadcast on April 18, talk to The National about their newfound game, adding a dance element to their performance, and the inevitable comparison to One Direction.
What was your initial reaction to the news that the judges wanted you to join together as a group rather than continue as solo performers?
At first there was disappointment, it was so scary and weird. But now we are The 5.
Do you think of yourselves as the Arab version of One Direction?
We like this comparison with One Direction but we are not a copy and we are not trying to be the same. We are not fans, but we like their stories and music.
How do you choose what songs you will sing as a group?
We choose our songs that show our voices the best. And at the same time we change the subjects. And not all of us speak Arabic very well.
What's the best part about being part of The X Factor?
Becoming The 5.
How is Donia Ghanem helping you out as your mentor and coach?
She gives us new ideas and she always makes sure that the songs are perfect for us. We learnt from Donia how to be famous and down to earth.
Did you expect to have such a huge fan base going crazy over you, and so quickly?
No, we didn’t expect that. It makes us feel happy. And sure we are worried about our privacy but it is a nice feeling being a public figure.
Will you stick to singing in Arabic?
We hope to try English and French.
How well do you all get along?
We are doing very well. And it is normal to have small conflicts with your brothers.
What's your biggest wish for The 5 moving forward – other than winning The X Factor?
Winning a music award.
Who do you all agree is the best-looking one – the lady’s man – in the group?
All of us.
• The second live episode of The X Factor, which will determine whether The 5 will continue in the competition or be voted off, will air on Saturday April 25 at 10pm on MBC4
artslife@thenational.ae
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci
Pushkin Press
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Five films to watch
Castle in the Sky (1986)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Only Yesterday (1991)
Pom Poki (1994)
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)