Iraqi didgeridoo musician making waves at Fan Zones
10th January 2019
Abu Dhabi: True to the tournament’s slogan of ‘Bringing Asia Together’, the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 has seen a coming together of diverse nationalities and cultures.
Finding their way into the hearts of thousands of supporters in the UAE are the competition’s two official public fan zones, which are also screening the action live in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
Forging the unlikeliest of partnerships is none other than Mustafa Wameedh Alyasiri, an Iraqi whose proficiency in the didgeridoo, an Australian musical instrument, has been turning heads at the Fan Zone at Al Bahar at the Corniche in Abu Dhabi.
Widely known to his fans as Flash, the former bio medical engineer, who has spent the last few years living in the UAE before moving back to Baghdad, has remarkably never been to Australia and like the birth of most passions has primarily been self-taught.
Like football, Alyasiri sees his music as a unifying force, travelling across the Continent to share his passion for the unique instrument.
“My intention is to take this to a new level especially in the UAE where not a lot of people have seen or have heard of the didgeridoo. It imitates the sound of the rain and usually in some of my music, my aim is to imitate the sound of nature."
Mustafa Wameedh Alyasiri - Didgeridoo Player
“I heard it when I was a kid and I was always fascinated with that particular sound. I never knew what it was. I couldn’t figure it out until somewhere in 2008 or 2009 when I found out it was an instrument called the didgeridoo,” said Alyasiri.
“People think this instrument has only one tone, but it is like any other musical instrument similar to the guitar, or the drums, I can play whatever I want with any sort of music.”
Based in Towayya park in Al Ain and Al Bahar at the Corniche in Abu Dhabi, Alyasiri will be joined by more than 50 stage acts and 24 artists and bands who are providing live entertainment at the two fan zones. The exciting venues also include inflatables for kids, food trucks, mini-pitches and fun-filled games for all in the family including orb football, human foosball and more.
Open daily from 1pm to midnight, the zones are designed to serve as an informal meeting point for football fans, while showcasing the unique culture and warm hospitality of the UAE.
Source: the-afc.com