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Iraqi Arab pop star to tour Kurdistan
region
29.9.2007
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September
29, 2007
Sulaimaniyah, Kurdistan region 'Iraq', --
Iraqi Arab singing sensation Shada Hassoun, who in
March won the fourth season of the Lebanese talent
show "Star Academy," plans a tour of relatively safe
Iraqi Kurdistan in the coming weeks to greet her
fans.
Despite her Iraqi nationality, the quick trip to
Erbil and Sulaimaniyah with Lebanese singers will
mark the chestnut-haired singer's first time in the
country.
Born in Morocco, the 26-year-old lays claim to her
Iraqi nationality through her father, who hails from
southern Iraq.
Despite Hassoun's tenuous connection with Iraq,
however, Iraqis of all sects embraced her
wholeheartedly during the "Star Academy" contest --
a format based on "Fame Academy" -- hosted by
Lebanon's LBC. |
Shada Hassoun |
Through incessant text messages by mobile phone,
Iraqis helped propel her to victory in the contest,
which carried a first prize of $50,000 in cash and a
new car.
With few heroes on an ever-bleaker landscape, Iraqis
warmed to her as she engendered a rare sense of
national cohesion.
More pointedly, with uncertainty over whether she's
Sunni or Shiite, both sects claimed her.
"Sunnis and Shiites will unite with your victory!"
read one text message sent by a viewer during the
contest.
"You are the one who unites all of Iraq, from North
to South, from the Tigris to the Euphrates!"
Others gave less-esoteric reasons for her popularity
-- her slinky dresses and sensual dancing symbolized
a freedom
unknown in Iraq.
Launched in 2003, "Star Academy" has become one of
the most widely viewed programs across the Arab
world.
variety com
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