Mohammed Assaf
| Birthday | September 1, 1989 |
|---|---|
| Age | 37 Years (November, 2026) |
| Birth Place | Misrata, Libya |
| Education | Studied media and public relations at the University of Palestine, Gaza |
| Ethnicity | Palestinian |
| Relationship Status | Married to Reem Ouda (since 2020) |
Biography
Mohammed Assaf is a Palestinian pop singer, born Mohammed Jaber Abdul Rahman Assaf on 1 September 1989 in Misrata, Libya, to Palestinian parents. He grew up in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in the Gaza Strip and became internationally known in 2013 when he won the second season of MBC's Arab Idol.
After his win, UNRWA named him a goodwill ambassador, and the Palestinian government made him an ambassador of culture and arts. His story became the basis of Hany Abu-Assad's 2015 film The Idol. His best-known song is "Ana Dammi Falastini" ("My Blood Is Palestinian"), a version of a traditional Palestinian song.
After his win, UNRWA named him a goodwill ambassador, and the Palestinian government made him an ambassador of culture and arts. His story became the basis of Hany Abu-Assad's 2015 film The Idol. His best-known song is "Ana Dammi Falastini" ("My Blood Is Palestinian"), a version of a traditional Palestinian song.
Early Life
Assaf's mother, Intisar, is a mathematics teacher whose family came from the village of Bayt Daras; his father's family is from Beersheba. He is one of six children. The family lived in Misrata until he was four, then moved to Khan Yunis in Gaza, where he attended an UNRWA primary school.
His mother has said he began singing at five. He had no formal vocal training and sang at weddings and private events, first reaching a wider audience around 2000 when he phoned in to a local TV programme and sang a nationalist song. Before Arab Idol he was studying media and public relations at Palestine University in Gaza City.
His mother has said he began singing at five. He had no formal vocal training and sang at weddings and private events, first reaching a wider audience around 2000 when he phoned in to a local TV programme and sang a nationalist song. Before Arab Idol he was studying media and public relations at Palestine University in Gaza City.
Career
To audition for Arab Idol, Assaf spent two days trying to cross from Gaza into Egypt. When he reached the audition hotel the doors had closed, so he climbed over a wall; a fellow Palestinian contestant, Ramadan Abu Nahel, then gave Assaf his own audition number. Judge Ragheb Alama nicknamed him "the Rocket", and his voice was often compared with that of Abdel Halim Hafez.
He was declared the winner on 22 June 2013, ahead of Ahmed Gamal of Egypt and Farah Youssef of Syria. In the final he performed "Ali al-Kuffiyeh", and his victory was celebrated in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Palestinian communities across the region.
Since then Assaf has released two albums and many singles and collaborations, mostly in Iraqi and Gulf dialects, and has toured Arab and international festivals with the Awtar Band. He married Reem Ouda in 2020.
He was declared the winner on 22 June 2013, ahead of Ahmed Gamal of Egypt and Farah Youssef of Syria. In the final he performed "Ali al-Kuffiyeh", and his victory was celebrated in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Palestinian communities across the region.
Since then Assaf has released two albums and many singles and collaborations, mostly in Iraqi and Gulf dialects, and has toured Arab and international festivals with the Awtar Band. He married Reem Ouda in 2020.
Mohammed Assaf: Quick Facts
How old is Mohammed Assaf?
Mohammed Assaf is 37 years old, born on September 1, 1989 in Misrata, Libya.
What is Mohammed Assaf's ethnicity?
Mohammed Assaf's ethnicity is Palestinian.
What is Mohammed Assaf known for?
Mohammed Assaf is best known for appearing in Arab Idol.
Is Mohammed Assaf married?
Mohammed Assaf's relationship status: Married to Reem Ouda (since 2020).
