Arab Idol (season 1)
The first season of Arab Idol was launched on MBC 1 on 9 December 2011. MBC decided to launch a more stylish version of Pop Idol after the 5 seasons of Super Star, the previous Arabic license of the show. The season was presented by Lebanese model Annabella Hilal and Kuwaiti actor Abdallah Tulehi. The judging panel consisted of Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama, Emirati diva Ahlam and Egyptian music producer, record producer and musician Hassan El Shafei. On finale night, 24 March 2012, Carmen Suleiman from Egypt was crowned the winner of the first season of Arab Idol in a tough competition against Dounia Batma from Morocco. The high ranking of this first season encouraged MBC to launch a second season in 2013.
Auditions
In July 2011, the following audition cities were revealed on the official MBC 1 website, and in August the dates were revealed.- Cairo, Egypt, 4 September 2011
- Casablanca, Morocco, 8 September 2011
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 15 September 2011
- Kuwait City, Kuwait, 19 September 2011
- Amman, Jordan, 26 September 2011
- London, UK, 1 October 2011
- Tunis, Tunisia, 5 October 2011
- Beirut, Lebanon, 14 October 2011
- Damascus, Syria auditions were originally scheduled for 26 September 2011, but the city was excluded after political unrest in the country.
Top 20
From Egypt: Carmen Suleiman, Yahya Yacoub, Rasha Sharnoubi, Shaza Youssef, Karim Mohammad
From Tunisia: Hassan Kharbech, Ghofran Fatouhi, Shirine Ljmi, Amin Bourguiba
From Morocco: Dounia Batma, Imane Karkibou, Habiba Bouziri
From Jordan: Youssef Arafat, Ghazal Shashaah
From Saudi Arabia: Mohamed Taher, Marwan Fagui
From Iraq: Mohammad Oulwan
From Oman: Mahmoud Noufli
From Palestine: Ahmad Abbasi
From Syria: Nadia Manfoukh
Top 10
Repertoire
Week 1Guest/Mentor: Saber Rebaï
| Hassan Kharbech | Bataabni Aala Kelma – George Wassouf |
| Yahya Yacoub | Allah A'ala El Dounya – Saber Rebaï |
| Mohammad Oulwan | Bahlam Beek – Abdelhalim Hafez |
| Ghofran Fatouhi | E'z El Habayeb – Saber Rebaï |
| Dounia Batma | Youm Aleik – Thekra |
| Shirine Ljmi | Barsha – Saber Rebaï |
| Youssef Arafat | La Tashkki Feyeh – Melhem Zein |
| Mohamed Taher | Sidi Mansour – Saber Rebaï |
| Nadia Manfoukh | 3al Tayer – Saber Rebaï |
| Carmen Suleiman | Ana Fintizarak – Umm Kulthum |
Week 2
Guest/Mentor: Sherine
| Mohammad Oulwan | Ha Habibi – Kadim Al Sahir |
| Nadia Manfoukh | Debna A Ghyabak – George Wassouf |
| Shirine Ljmi | Aala Bali – Sherine |
| Mohamed Taher | Tihagag Mounaya – Rashed Al-Majed |
| Carmen Suleiman | Ibaad – Mohammed Abdu |
| Hassan Kharbech | El Nas El Rayaa – Rami Ayach |
| Ghofran Fatouhi | Aala Bali – Adam |
| Dounia Batma | Daret El Ayam – Umm Kulthum |
| Youssef Arafat | Andak Bahriya – Wadih El Safi |
Week 3
Guest/Mentor: Assi El Helani
| Carmen Suleiman | Zay El Assal – Sabah |
| Youssef Arafat | Donya El Walah – Abdallah Al Rowaished |
| Nadia Manfoukh | Ya Msafer Wahdak – Mohammed Abdel Wahab |
| Mohamed Taher | Awel Marra – Abdel Halim Hafez |
| Dounia Batma | Lashhad Hobak – Najwa Karam |
| Mohammad Oulwan | Reddou Habibi – Melhem Zein |
| Hassan Kharbech | Leila – Abdel Rab Idris |
| Ghofran Fatouhi | El Ayoun El Soud – Warda Al-Jazairia |
Week 4
Guest/Mentor: Majid Al Muhandis
| Hassan Kharbech | Aa Hadeer Elbosta – Fairouz |
| Dounia Batma | Habina wa Thabina – Mayada Al Henawy |
| Nadia Manfoukh | Abeek – Abdallah Al Rowaished |
| Carmen Suleiman | Mathasibneesh – Sherine |
| Ghofran Fatouhi | Lamma Rah Alsabr Minno – Sherifa Fadel |
| Mohamed Taher | Moo Aala Kefak – Majid Al Muhandis |
| Youssef Arafat | Misheet Khalas – Wael Jassar |
Week 5
Guest/Mentor: Nawal Al Zoghbi
| Youssef Arafat | Khatarna Aala Balak – Tony Hanna |
| Hassan Kharbech & Carmen Suleiman | Ya Rab – Marwan Khoury & Carole Samaha |
| Mohamed Taher | Sammi – Mohammed Abdu |
| Youssef Arafat & Nadia Manfoukh | Mas Wa Louli – Cheb Khaled & Diana Haddad |
| Hassan Kharbech | Law Aala Albi – Fadl Shaker |
| Carmen Suleiman | Seedi Wesalak – Angham |
| Mohamed Taher & Dounia Batma | Khayna – Rashed Al-Majed & Asma Lmnawar |
| Nadia Manfoukh | Medley – Samira Tawfiq |
| Dounia Batma | Akthar Min Awal – Ahlam |
Week 6
Guest/Mentor: Elissa
| Mohamed Taher | Sahran Maak Elleila – Ahmed El-Sharif | Wainak Habibi – Rashed Al-Majed |
| Carmen Suleiman | Mostaheel – Warda Al-Jazairia | La Tebki Ya Worood El Dar – Najwa Karam |
| Nadia Manfoukh | Aahd Allah – Melhem Barakat | Lazraalak Bostan Worood – Fouad Ghazi |
| Youssef Arafat | Kel El Asayed – Marwan Khoury | Reda Wallah Wa Radeinak – Talal Salama |
| Dounia Batma | Olli Aamallak Eh Albi – Mohammed Abdel Wahab | Aal Bal – Samira Said |
Week 7
Guest/Mentor: Kadim Al Sahir
| Dounia Batma | Ma Aad Badri – Mohammed Abdu | Akthar – Asala Nasri |
| Youssef Arafat | Aala Remsh E'younha – Wadih El Safi | Omry Killo – Wael Kfoury |
| Carmen Suleiman | Ya Mounyati – Abdelmohsen Almohanna | Adwaa El Shohra – Carole Samaha |
| Nadia Manfoukh | Emmi Namet Aa Bakkir – Fairuz | Wahashtini – Souad Mohammad |
Week 8
Guest/Mentor: Nancy Ajram
| Youssef Arafat | Lalhin Ahebha – Nabil Shoail | La Trouhi – Joseph Attieh | Alli Gara – Oulaya |
| Carmen Suleiman | Albi Dalili – Laila Mourad | Ma Yhimmak – Yara | Alhin Ahebak – Thekra |
| Dounia Batma | Mali – Warda Al-Jazairia | Wagif Aala Babikom – Naima Samih | Tashakurat – Fulla |
Week 9
Guest/Mentor: Najwa Karam / Latifa
| Carmen Suleiman | Wallah Oyonak – Samira Said | Enta Omri – Umm Kulthum | El Rasayel – Mohamed Abdu |
| Dounia Batma | Ebtaed Anni – Talal Maddah | Marsoul El Hob – Abdelwahab Doukkali | Hob Eh – Umm Kulthum |