Plenty of talented singers turned out for the open auditions of Arab Idol, held in Asateer tent and Nasimi Beach last Thursday and Friday.

On Thursday, Arabic tunes could be heard around the grounds of Nasimi Beach as contestants paced nervously and kept their voice warmed up. Inside, groups of singers from all backgrounds were belting out tunes to keep themselves entertained.

Friday was the call back for the shortlisted singers, the names of whom the show is keeping under wraps. The word is the judges Ragheb Alama, Hassan El Shafei and UAE’s own Ahlam were suitably impressed with the talent at the Atlantis auditions. Arab Idol will be broadcast on MBC 1 in mid-December.