In the last episode of the popular TV show 'Super Star' or 'Pop Idle', Palestinian contestant Ammar Hassan performed as brilliantly as we have come to expect treating the audience and judges to a piece by famous Arab musician Abed Al-Rab Edrees. Head of the jury, the great Lebanese musician Elias Al-Rahbani, described Ammar as the "episodes crosser" as he progressed untroubled through the rounds, adding a prediction that Ammar will have an important presence in the show and make his mark on Arab music in the future.

It deserves mentioning that in Ammar’s segment, preceding his performance, he greeted the Arabic audience but focused on "Palestinian people everywhere and especially in the 48 occupied towns”. He further thanked his family, friends and professors at An-Najah National University, singling out Dr. Ghawi Ghawi.

The entertainment website Farfesh interviewed Dr. Ghawi Ghawi from Nazareth, who feels very proud of Ammar’s presence in the show.

Q: Can you tell us about your work at An-Najah National University – where did it all start?

A: I established the faculty twenty years ago with three departments: interior design, painting, and music. Because of the political situation, movement between Nablus and Nazareth is almost impossible. This bothers me since I can’t continue my work in the university although I still long for it.

Q: What do you remember of Ammar and when did he graduate?

A: Of course I remember Ammar - he graduated in 2001 from the Music Department and majored in vocals and the oud.

Q: Was he a unique student?

A: He was one of my favorite students. I taught him vocal projection and my relationship with him was more like that of a father to a son. All of the students in the music department were and probably still are quite exceptional, since we select only fifteen admission applications out of 300-400 applications per year. All successful applicants have a high level of musicality and discipline, which is essential for the theoretical and practical training they receive at an-Najah. The university offers great facilities to support the faculty and its students.


Q: Did he participate in any of the artistic activities during his studying?

A: Ammar was member in the University Choir and sang as a solo singer, touring with them to many countries including Poland, France, Jordan, Morocco, and Egypt as well as local Palestinian cities such as Nazareth. They sang original songs that were composed by me and other teachers of the faculty.

Q: Are you still in touch with Ammar?

A: Yes, I keep in touch with most of my students. We are like a family and I feel committed towards them. I feel a responsibility towards them to support them and give them the appropriate advice, especially Ammar who is like a son to me. He visited me in my house in Nazareth several times and met my family, and I must say my daughter is one of his biggest fans.

Q: Who do you think deserves the title this year?

A: I honestly think that all the voices are good and all the participants that reached the final phase of the show deserve support. Even the participants who left the show - many of them have great ability and must be encouraged.

Q: Your answer was diplomatic but we want to know exactly who do you think will be the Super Star of this year?

A: Without being biased I think that Ammar has everything it takes to become a star. He has the voice, he’s good looking, and he's got the right personality.
I think that his studying helped him a great deal, but also Ammar has a great musical knowledge, as well as being a decent and classy person.

Q: What other voices attracted your attention in the contest?

A: I really liked Abeer Ne’meh. I was disappointed when she left the show last week but she has a really unique voice, and I suggest that she should travel to Europe to develop her voice as she has great potential.

Q: Generally, how is the singer’s voic