When Mohammed Assaf spoke to The National in July, he described his ideal partner as "not from the entertainment industry," before adding that he wanted his "home life to be totally separated from my career. I want to be relaxed and secure in my home." It seems Assaf got what he wished for – two months later he revealed his engagement to little known fellow Palestinian journalist Lina Qishawi, and the couple made their first public appearance yesterday (October 13) at the London Film festival during the European premiere of Assaf's biopic The Idol.
Here’s everything you need to know about Lina Qishawi:
She’s young. Very young.
Born in 1992, she’s only 23 years old; significantly younger than our favourite denim jacket. She recently celebrated a birthday on August 31. She’s actually three years younger than Assaf, who was born in 1989.
She’s a morning television show host.
Qishawi has a degree in nutrition from Palestine's oldest university, Birzeit, near Ramallah, but chose a career in television. She is presently the host of Allah Yisabehkum Bilkheir , a morning programme on on Al Falastiniah TV channel, which airs every Monday and Wednesday from 10.30am until noon (UAE time).
She’s beginning to establish a social media presence.
With fewer than 3,000 Twitter followers, it's safe to assume Assaf's devoted fan base don't know much about her yet. Her Twitter account, @lina_qishawi, seems to have been launched on August 20 – the same day her TV interview with Mohammed Assaf was broadcast on Al Falastiniah channel, only a month before their engagement announcement. She is much more prominent on Facebook, though, with at least three official-looking pages to her name.
She can get Mohammed Assaf to open up.
During her televised interview with the singer in August, she got him to speak about politics – a first for the patriotic singer when on air.
She is of both Palestinian and Russian ancestry.
Her father is from Palestine, but her mother, often described in the media as “Russian”, is originally from Almaty in Kazakhstan.
artslife@thenational.ae
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30, December 1-2
International Vets
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation fixtures
Thursday, November 30:
10.20am, Pitch 3, v 100 World Legends Project
1.20pm, Pitch 4, v Malta Marauders
Friday, December 1:
9am, Pitch 4, v SBA Pirates
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FIXTURES
UAE’s remaining fixtures in World Cup qualification R2
Oct 8: Malaysia (h)
Oct 13: Indonesia (a)
Nov 12: Thailand (h)
Nov 17: Vietnam (h)
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
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