Sunday, Jul 27, 2014
He was hospitalised earlier this month for exhaustion, but Arab Idol Mohammad Assaf knows there’s no time to rest with what’s going on in Gaza in Palestine — his home.
Assaf has released a heartfelt message on behalf of UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, for which he is an ambassador.
“Our relatives/family in Gaza are facing shelling and aggression. Homes destroyed; people left without shelter,” he says in the campaign that’s airing on various channels. “The truth is far worse than what we are seeing in pictures and what we are hearing in the media. It would be great if during the holy month of Ramadan, we can help the people of Gaza and support them.”
The singer, who last performed at the Fifa Congress in Brazil, also wrote a song called Raise Your Head High imploring his people to stand proud in the face of the carnage.
“Lift your head high, it’s your weapon,” he sings in the video posted last week on YouTube. “The origin of dignity is humanity. The son of the free land of sun. Your son Gaza will not be disgraced.
“Gaza is calling but who’s to hear? We have all the rights. We shall sacrifice for its soil. Take my blood and give me freedom.”
The Arabic song, posted with English subtitles, has been viewed more than 750,000 times since it was uploaded.
Assaf’s journey from wedding singer in Gaza to Arab Idol last year has been a rare moment of pride and national unity for Palestine. The 23-year-old has since been travelling around the world, performing and recording.
In an intimate interview with tabloid! last month, he admitted he often felt the pressure of being a public figure. But fame, he said, has also given him the power to make a difference, and that makes him feel right at home.
Through his work with UNRWA, Assaf has been able to help collect donations and rally for the support of five million Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria
“I’m really happy when I’m doing it. I’m from a refugee camp, and I’m a refugee, so to be able to give back, even in a small way, even with words, it gives them hope. I know people are thinking, ‘What are we going to do with hope?’ But trust me, a nice word helps,” he said. “This is a duty and a responsibility that’s been thrust upon me, and I’m going to support this cause until the last day of my life.”
For more on UNRWA and how to help the people of Gaza, go to unrwa.org.
By David Tusing, Deputy tabloid! Editor
Gulf News 2014. All rights reserved.
