While Ben Haenow has been celebrating winning 'X Factor' in the UK, there's been an equally significant musical victory a bit further afield.
Arab Idol has announced this year's winner, Hazem Sharif, who's broken with tradition by refusing to carry his country's flag during his victory celebration.
Hazim Sharif has won this year's Arab Idol title, but wants his victory to be apolitical
Hazem, from Syria, explained that he didn't want to appear to be taking sides in the civil war engulfing his country.
"I am 21 years old, and I don't want my art to be connected to politics," he said.
Hazam also ditched his national colours when he won the title on Saturday, although he did dedicate his winners' song to Syria.
This goes against the custom of previous winners to wave their national flags in victory. Only last year, Palestinian Mohammad Assaf of Gaza wore his flag on a scarf - pictures below:
Arab Idol Victory Gets Gaza Going
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Thousands of Palestinians from the city of Ramallah celebrating the victory in the Arab Idol contestant of Mohammed Assaf from Gaza City in the West Bank city of Ramallah June 23, 2013. (ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Thousands of Palestinians from the city of Ramallah celebrating the victory in the Arab Idol contestant of Mohammed Assaf from Gaza City in the West Bank city of Ramallah June 23, 2013. (ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Thousands of Palestinians from the city of Ramallah celebrating the victory in the Arab Idol contestant of Mohammed Assaf from Gaza City in the West Bank city of Ramallah June 23, 2013. (ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Thousands of Palestinians from the city of Ramallah celebrating the victory in the Arab Idol contestant of Mohammed Assaf from Gaza City in the West Bank city of Ramallah June 23, 2013. (ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Thousands of Palestinians from the city of Ramallah celebrating the victory in the Arab Idol contestant of Mohammed Assaf from Gaza City in the West Bank city of Ramallah June 23, 2013. (ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Thousands of Palestinians from the city of Ramallah celebrating the victory in the Arab Idol contestant of Mohammed Assaf from Gaza City in the West Bank city of Ramallah June 23, 2013. (ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Thousands of Palestinians from the city of Ramallah celebrating the victory in the Arab Idol contestant of Mohammed Assaf from Gaza City in the West Bank city of Ramallah June 23, 2013. (ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Thousands of Palestinians from the city of Ramallah celebrating the victory in the Arab Idol contestant of Mohammed Assaf from Gaza City in the West Bank city of Ramallah June 23, 2013. (ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Thousands of Palestinians from the city of Ramallah celebrating the victory in the Arab Idol contestant of Mohammed Assaf from Gaza City in the West Bank city of Ramallah June 23, 2013. (ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People celebrate Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf winning 'Arab Idol' in Gaza city on June 22, 2013. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People celebrate Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf winning 'Arab Idol' in Gaza city on June 22, 2013. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People celebrate Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf winning 'Arab Idol' in Gaza city on June 22, 2013. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People celebrate Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf winning 'Arab Idol' in Gaza city on June 22, 2013. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People celebrate Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf winning 'Arab Idol' in Gaza city on June 22, 2013. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People celebrate Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf winning 'Arab Idol' in Gaza city on June 22, 2013. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People celebrate Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf winning 'Arab Idol' in Gaza city on June 22, 2013. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People celebrate Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf winning 'Arab Idol' in Gaza city on June 22, 2013. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People celebrate Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf winning 'Arab Idol' in Gaza city on June 22, 2013. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People celebrate Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf winning 'Arab Idol' in Gaza city on June 22, 2013. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People celebrate Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf winning 'Arab Idol' in Gaza city on June 22, 2013. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People celebrate the winning of Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf in Gaza city on June 22, 2013. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Palestinians supporters of Mohammed Assaf, who is competing in the final of the Arab Idol competition, hold pictures of him in Gaza City on June 20, 2013. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Palestinian performer Mohammad Assaf performs during a rehearsal for Arab Idol talent show in the Lebanese city of Jounieh north of the capital Beirut, on May 17, 2013. (ANWAR AMRO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People celebrate Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf winning 'Arab Idol' in Gaza city on June 22, 2013. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People celebrate Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf winning 'Arab Idol' in Gaza city on June 22, 2013. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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In this Saturday, June 22, 2013 photo released by the MBC Group, singer Mohammed Assaf is seen on the Arab Idol stage in Beirut, Lebanon. On Saturday night, Assaf became the first Palestinian to win the Arab worlds version of American Idol, setting off wild celebrations across the Palestinian territories. (AP Photo/MBC Group) (credit:AP)
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In this Saturday, June 22, 2013 photo released by the MBC Group, singer Mohammed Assaf, prays after receiving the Arab Idol award in Beirut, Lebanon. (AP Photo/MBC Group) (credit:AP)
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In this Saturday, June 22, 2013 photo released by the MBC Group, singer Mohammed Assaf, second right, receives the Arab Idol award in Beirut, Lebanon. (AP Photo/MBC Group) (credit:AP)