Mohammed Assaf
Mohammed Assaf

Mohammed Assaf won first place in the popular TV program ‘Arab Idol 2013’ after his final performance of Ali al-Kefiyyeh (Raise Your Keffiyyeh), a nationalistic Palestinian song and de facto anthem which has now garnered over 90 million views. Raised in Khan Yunus refugee camp in the Gaza strip, he has become the face and voice of Palestinian youth and the voice of its peoples suffering. Assaf became UNRWA’s Goodwill Ambassador, was named Ambassador of Culture and Arts by the Palestinian National Authority, and was given a position with diplomatic standing by the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He has over 22 million fans on social media. His song ‘Dammi Falestini’ was controversially removed from Spotify following pressure from a Zionist advocacy group.

Source of Influence: Celebrities & Sports

Status: Featured in current year