Hamas banned Gaza residents from taking part in a national reality
X-Factor style show called
New Star, Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported Wednesday.
Hamas's reason for prohibiting the television show - produced by Ma'an TV- was that the program was "indecent," Ma'an reported. "The contest contradicts the customs and traditions of the Gaza community... singing is a passion of a few and not in the interests of the majority of the community," Ma'an quoted the head of the Hamas media office, Hasan Abu Hashish as saying.
The talent competition ran its first series in December with no intervention and some 120
New Star hopefuls showed up at the audition in Gaza City.
