Mohammed Assaf, a Palestinian singer from Gaza, has captivated the hearts of many with his powerful songs and his unwavering pride in his Palestinian identity. One of his most iconic songs, “Dammi Falastini,” which means “My Blood is Palestinian,” has become a symbol of Palestinian resilience and strength. However, it’s not just his music that has garnered attention; it’s also the incredible journey he undertook to achieve his dreams.
Assaf’s journey to stardom began with an opportunity that seemed almost impossible to grasp. In 2011, the Arab world had its version of “American Idol” called “Arab Idol.” At the time, Assaf was working as a wedding singer. When he heard about auditions for the show in Egypt, he knew he had to be there. But leaving Gaza is a challenge in itself, and it took him two days just to cross the border into Egypt due to complications.
By the time he arrived at the audition venue in Egypt, the doors had already closed, and they were not accepting any more contestants. But Assaf’s determination knew no bounds. He scaled a wall to get into the hotel, evaded security, and, when he found himself inside, he realized he couldn’t get a number for the audition. That’s when another Palestinian contestant generously gave him his number, knowing he wouldn’t make it to the finals but believing in Assaf’s talent.
Assaf’s audition not only impressed the judges but also drew comparisons to the legendary Egyptian singer Abdelhadim Hafez, a monumental figure in the Arab world. It’s safe to say that Assaf was a big deal. He went on to win “Arab Idol,” and when he did, he proudly waved the Palestinian flag, representing hope for his people and proving that their dreams could indeed come true.
After his victory, Assaf continued to release music that empowered the Palestinian people, singing about their history and the challenges they face. His song “Dammi Falastini,” released in 2015, is an anthem of pride and resistance for Palestinians.
However, being vocal about his resistance to the Israeli occupation and working with UNRWA led to consequences. The Israelis barred him from entering both the West Bank and Gaza. But this didn’t deter Assaf. He expressed his commitment to his homeland, even in the face of such adversity.
In a bizarre turn of events, Israeli efforts were made to have Assaf’s song “Dammi Falastini” removed from streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. The reason? They claimed it promoted anti-Semitism. Despite the temporary removal, the song made a triumphant return, and Spotify Arabia apologized for any inconvenience caused.
In response to this accusation, Assaf stood firm, stating that his songs represent the Palestinian people’s resistance to the occupation, making him even prouder to be part of this cause. The song, he stressed, lives not only on these platforms but in the hearts and minds of every Palestinian and anyone fighting for Palestinian freedom.
Lyrics of song:
على عهدي على ديني
على ارضي تلاقيني
انا لاهلي انا افديهم
انا دمي فلسطيني فلسطيني فلسطيني
انا دمي فلسطيني
على عهدي على ديني
على ارضي تلاقيني
انا لاهلي انا افديهم
والله انا دمي فلسطيني فلسطيني فلسطيني
انا دمي فلسطيني
وقفنالك يا ديرتنا
بعزتنا وعروبتنا
ارض القدس نادتنا
صوت امي يناديني (فلسطيني فلسطيني)
انا دمي فلسطيني
على عهدي على ديني
على ارضي تلاقيني
انا لاهلي انا افديهم
انا دمي فلسطيني فلسطيني فلسطيني
انا دمي فلسطيني
يا يما ابشرى بالعز
دارك قلعة ما تنهز
عليها الروح ما تنعز
ولا دمي وشرايني (فلسطيني فلسطيني)
انا دمي فلسطيني
على عهدي على ديني
على ارضي تلاقيني
انا لاهلي انا افديهم
انا دمي فلسطيني فلسطيني فلسطيني
انا دمي فلسطيني
فلسطيني وابن احرار
جبيني في السماء ومغوار
على عهدي الوفا يا دار
وعمرة ما انحنى جبينى (فلسطيني فلسطيني)
انا دمي فلسطيني
على عهدي على ديني
على ارضي تلاقيني
انا لاهلى انا افديهم
انا دمى فلسطيني فلسطيني فلسطيني
انا دمى فلسطيني
على عهدي على ديني
على ارضي تلاقيني
انا لاهلى انا افديهم
انا دمى فلسطيني فلسطيني فلسطيني
انا دمى فلسطيني
على عهدي على ديني
على ارضي تلاقيني
انا لاهلى انا افديهما
والله انا دمي فلسطيني
Today, Mohammed Assaf’s words remain truer than ever. His music continues to inspire not only Palestinians but anyone who believes in the right of Palestinians to live in freedom and independence. His journey from Gaza to Arab Idol is a testament to the power of determination and the unbreakable spirit of a people yearning for their rightful place in the world.
