Yacoub Shaheen

Yacoub Shaheen (Arabic: يعقوب شاهين; born 27 February 1994) is a Palestinian singer. Having grown up surrounded by music, he engaged in musical lessons from his youth and aspired to become a singer. He is most well known for having won Arab Idol in 2017, catapulting him to popularity in his native Palestine.

Yacoub Shaheen يعقوب شاهين
Yacoub Shaheen, Arab Idol, December 2016
Background information
Born	(1994-02-27) February 27, 1994 (age 31) Bethlehem
Instruments	Bozouk Clarinet

Biography

Shaheen was born to an ethnic Assyrian family on February 27th, 1994 in the city of Bethlehem.^[1][2][3] He would spend his childhood there and began to develop a passion for music after discovering Arabic and Assyrian folk-pop music, and at the age of seven, he began to study music at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music.^[4] He would master several musical instruments, including the bozouk and clarinet, while he also developed his skills by participating in school and church choirs.^[2] Shaheen also studied interior design at the Palestine Polytechnic University, before eventually pursuing music full time.^[2]

Career

In 2005, 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, the young artist released his first song, "Human Spirit", composed by lyricist Elias Gres alongside himself.^[4] The song was recorded at RJ Productions in Bethlehem.

In 2017, Shaheen won the TV program Arab Idol, a program with approximately 120 million viewers in the Arab World. His win could be attributed to his singing abilities allowing him to rise very early into the competition, with judge Nancy Ajram noting that he was "charming, magical, and enchanting".^[5] He became the second Palestinian to win the contest after Mohammed Assaf who grew up in a Gaza Strip refugee camp and won the Arab Idol in 2013. ^[6][7] 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.^[8] Fans also set up a PayPal account to raise money for Shaheen, gathering $35,000 to help him win the contest.^[9] Many Palestinians celebrated the occasion of Shaheen's win by waving the Palestinian flag and playing some of the songs that he performed,^[10] and local youth tagged the sides of buildings with graffiti reading "Suryoyo" (Assyrian).^[11] After his victory, Shaheen performed Assaf's song "Dammi Falastini".^[7]

After Shaheen's win on Arab Idol, he was accompanied by the Awtar Band led by The Maestro Yacoub Al-Atrash in some Arab and international festivals.^[12] He performed at the Bethlehem Cultural Festival in 2022.^[13]

Personal life

Shaheen grew up attending the Syriac Orthodox Church, and was a deacon at his local parish.^[14] He has previously been vocal about both his Palestinian and Assyrian heritage, writing a message that read "Seyfo 1915" to raise awareness of the Assyrian genocide.^[15] He is also a member of the Palestine Scout Association.^[16]

Shaheen has regularly participated in philanthropic activities, donating parts of his winnings to orphanages and regularly celebrating his birthday at them.^[17][18] He also owns a fashion store in his native Bethlehem, and has two sisters.