Fans go berserk as Assaf, Al Abdallat transfix Sharjah

Thousands of concertgoers at the iconic Al Majaz Amphitheatre in Sharjah enjoyed a magical night of Arabic music yesterday (Friday) evening as two popular Arab musical talents – Jordanian singer-songwriter Omar Al Abdallat and Palestinian pop star Mohammed Assaf – rocked the venue with a selection of their most popular hits and folk renditions.

The duo delivered one memorable hit after another, bringing an eclectic blend of Palestinian and Jordanian folk music to a lively, packed audience.

Held as part of the new season of #letsmajaz, the concert transformed the amphitheatre into an electrifying space as fans waved Palestinian and Jordanian flags and kaffiyehs in a mesmerising spectacle.

Making his third appearance at Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Assaf opened the night with his latest smash hit, Besaraha, followed by Felli Bala Ma Nehki and Al Hawara. He captivated the audience with his renditioning of Syrian singer George Wassouf’s Ya Baya’een El Hawa and Tunisian singer Thekra’s Al Asami, which he performed for the first time at a concert.

His rendering of Alli Al Kufiyah, or ‘Raising the Kaffiyeh High’ in his magical voice – a reference to the chequered Palestinian scarf, a symbol of national resistance – brought the audience to its feet, as they cheered and danced to the song’s rhythmic beats. Fans were equally delighted to listen to the timeless Palestinian folk songs, Ya Teer El Tayer and Ween Ala Ramallah.

In a special tribute to the UAE and Sharjah, he performed Maihad Hamad’s popular tune, Allah Ya Dar Zayed. The Arab Idol star received a thunderous applause as he belted out his chart-topping Makank Khaly as the concluding number.

The fifth episode of the Arab Reading Challenge TV Show saw 12 contestants, divided into three groups of four, race to maintain their place on the competition. It also featured the Palestinian singer and Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf.

The semi-finalists took part in two challenges that involved a visit to an elderly home in Sharjah to present their experience before the panel of judges in an engaging, informative and inspiring well-articulated talk.

SHARJAH DEBUT

An energetic audience waving Jordanian flags and kaffiyehs greeted Jordanian pop singer Omar Al Abdallat as he took to the Al Majaz Amphitheatre stage in his debut public appearance in Sharjah. Al Abdallat, who has popularised Bedouin music and penned some of the most iconic Jordanian patriotic songs, enthralled fans with a selection of popular Jordanian folk renditions like Nezlin Ala Al Bustan, Habhabni Ala Al Khadeen, Ballah Tesobo Halqahwa, and Wasari Sar Al leil.

Fans were ecstatic when he sang Ya Saad and smash hit, Ya Jabal Ma Yehzak Reeh, penned and composed by him as a special tribute to Palestine and performed as a duet with Assaf.  

His rendition of the classic Tarab tune, Marrat Al Ayyam, followed by Nezra’a Ward, Hobbak Wasel, Keef Al Hemmah, and Shaklat Baklat, received a deafening applause from his fans. Al Abdallat concluded the evening with a selection of his hit folk songs, sung routinely at Jordanian wedding parties.

Both the singers expressed their gratitude to #letsmajaz for bringing them face to face with their fans and the audience and praised the Al Majaz Amphitheatre’s management for enabling artists from around the world to perform.

The #letsmajaz series of musical events hosted by the premier cultural destination will continue until April. Tickets can be booked online at sharjah.platinumlist.net.

Al Majaz Amphitheatre has emerged as the UAE’s popular cultural and entertainment destination, hosting world-class cultural events and concerts featuring internationally acclaimed artists and superstars from across the Arab world and around the world. The theatre is accessible to people of determination and there are suitable parking spaces. The iconic cultural destination has a highly qualified team trained to assist and escort them to their seats.