يعقوب شاهين

Yacoub Shaheen (Arabic: يعقوب شاهين; born 27 February 1994) is a Palestinian musician and singer. Born in Bethlehem, Shaheen grew up surrounded by music from an early age, and engaged in musical lessons during his youth. His early experiences in musical education would inspire him to pursue a career as a singer, performing at various festivals and winning competitions. Shaheen is most well known for participating in the fourth season of Arab Idol, winning the contest in early 2017. His win catapulted him to popularity in his native Palestine, as well as among the Assyrian community in Bethlehem to which he belonged. He has since continued his career as a musician and singer. Shaheen was born to an Assyrian Christian family on 27 February, 1994 in the city of Bethlehem; his parents were refugees from Jerusalem, and his father worked as a carpenter. He would spend his childhood in Bethlehem and began to develop a passion for music after discovering Arabic and Assyrian folk-pop music, and he enrolled in the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music. He would learn several musical instruments, including the bozouki and clarinet, while he also developed his skills by participating in school and church choirs. Shaheen also studied interior design at the Palestine Polytechnic University, before eventually pursuing music full time. In 2005, at age 11, Shaheen participated in the Palestinian Muhawm program where he would win the title of "Star of Palestine". 7 years later, he would win first place in the Palestinian Talent Program, and the following year, he released his first song, "Human Spirit", composed by lyricist Elias Gres alongside himself; the song was recorded at RJ Productions in Bethlehem. In 2017, Shaheen won the TV program Arab Idol, becoming the second Palestinian to do so after Mohammed Assaf in 2013. He had almost dropped the competition altogether due to a cold. His win was attributed to his singing abilities and his mastery of the Arabic mawwal allowing him to rise very early into the competition, with judge Nancy Ajram noting that he was "charming, magical, and enchanting". During his performance, hundreds of citizens of Bethlehem, including the mayor Vera Baboun as well as Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas gathered to watch the program live. Fans also set up a PayPal account to raise money for Shaheen, gathering $35,000 to help him win the contest.