Abdullah Interviews Meshari Al-Mudhahkah

Its that friday again, a brand new interview with someone I know you want to meet, because many of you asked me to have him up on the blog. I asked and he was extremely sweet and open, he said YES, it still feels great when I ask anyone for an interview and they kindly agree, it just feels great !

Meshary caught my attention long time ago, aside from being one of the freshest, most friendliest faces on TV, I knew he secretly had a blog running, I wont reveal it, you have to find all about it yourselves, thats if your lucky.

We met back in november 2009, when I had an interview on Al-Watan TV, we immediately clicked, he’s funny as hell, very easy going and he thinks im KOKO in the brain, my vocabulary is vulgar and nasty – well, *ahem* he’s not exactly wrong. I mean he did see me jump on top of the sofa, throw everything next to me at friends, including shoes, when we play Mario Kart, poor thing was exposed, like for real. HAH!

Seriously though, in my humble opinion, it feels great to know someone as hungry and motivated as him. He is multi talented, still under 22 years young, full of life and a face you see everyday on TV while still in college.

Being a journalist at that tender age makes you see the other side of “Lights, Camera, Action” what you see on TV is just a fraction of what goes on in the background, he says. Time management is definitely another issue, you want to go out, have fun or just chill with friends, not exactly an option in his job description.

I always smile when I know all about the things I dont see or sense, Meshari gave me alot to smile about, some he shares down there, some I wont, how about that ?

There are lots of layers im not jumping into, I want you to get to know him yourselves, so go ahead, know a local sweetheart, Meshari !

Meshary, KAPEESH!

Hello everyone, my name is Meshari almudhahkah, 21 years of age. I am a sport news reporter and broadcaster in alWatan tv. A student in KU, was in CBA for 3 full years majoring in marketing, then I decided to pursue my dream and transferred to the college of Arts and successfully majored In media. I won’t be graduating anytime soon since I need 2 more years to get my bachelors … one year and a half to go.

These are some of the major turns in my career. I joined alwatan academy summer program on june 2008. And after completing the program I got selected to work in alwatan tv. My first report on tv was on the 1st day of Ramadan in 2008. On the 8th of march on 2009 was my first appearance presenting news on air in the studio. One month later was my first show interviewing the candidates of the parliament’s elections. On june of the same year was my first voice AD.

On the other hand, there was my study in KU. I got accepted in CBA in 2006 and I loved marketing and I was so good at it, I decided to major in it. I always thought that there was something else other than marketing that I wanted, I just didn’t know what is it. After joining alwatan I began realizing what I want, i saw that i met the transfer requirement, applied and got into ART in the 1st semester of 2009/2010. On the 2nd semester I passed all the required courses and majored in media. I hope that the next point in my college life would be graduation, hah!

Childhood flashes, tell me.

I was very active yet quiet. I loved sports in an early age and I was a bookworm even before kindergarten. I used to run around with a magazine searching begging for someone to read for me, so my mom decided to show me how to read and I picked it up from there and started reading. Unfortunately, I don’t read as much I used to in the last 6 years.

I was above average in school and never failed a subject. Yet I didn’t like studying, unless it’s the night of the test.

What inspired you to tap into who you are now ?

Mainly my Mother, with the blessings of my father and the support of my family.
I was blessed in my life to be surrounded with inspiring people such as my family, friends, acquaintances and colleagues. They were all very supportive and guided me into who I am today.

What differs you from the rest of the competition out there?

Working with professionals, I have learned professional values and social responsibility. I wish to do something for my country and the people. My aim is to be the change I want to see in our society. I am working hard and studying what I love to become a better person, a person of use to my country and religion. I never regret anything in my life, because god has wisdom in everything that happens. I learn from everything that happens to me and I ask god for guidance.

Right now I am presenting, reporting, video and audio editing, recording voice overs for ads and narrating reports and movies. My goal is to master all these in addition to photography and videography. I have an experience in on-stage events hosting such as graduations and conventions. I am also working on my english language skills to present and narrate in english.

You have made an appearance on KANIZ the tv show, tell me about it.

That was an awesome day. I loved the game and enjoyed playing it with my work friends. We competed against alwatan tv female presenters and the guys at marina FM, over a donation to Lolwa Al-Qatami charity center, and the donation was presented in all the competitors name. We didn’t win but we had the pleasure of meeting, competing and having a blast with our friends at alwatan and colleagues of marina fm.

What were the difficulties you faced and how did you overcome them ?

The difficulties were challenging. First of all working and studying leave no time for anything else, especially with the outdoor reporting which could take up to 24 straight hours in some occasions and with that line of work you are on call 24 hours a day, everyday of the week, so there are no weekends! PLUS, you must be ready at all times for the call. That’s how the news system works all over the world and we are applying it on alwatan tv.

In the news sector, we are very proud to be on top of the ratings internally ,the most watched program in alwatan tv, and locally, the most watched channel in kuwait. While we hold the position of the third most watched news after AlJazeera and AlArabeya, based on a study conducted by AlJazeera.

Also, being young with no prior experience what so ever was very challenging. I’m working side by side with icons, on top of their specialties and talented experienced people. Being acknowledged by them is quit a challenge, a great one where i needed to develop skills and improve them. So i strove to do so, and with their help and support I got where I am today. I hold all the love/respect/gratitude to them all. I thank god for having them in my life, Without there teachings I wouldn’t be where I am today, I will always learn from their excellence.

If you don’t mind Share with us some of your shocking or controversial moments of your career ?

After a two month training in September 2008, Hani alwazzan my mentor/trainer/brother told me that my voice is good for promotions and ADs and i should try it out. I was so happy and flattered that an icon in that field says something like that to a clueless young man, i was so happy that couldn’t sleep that night. he told me to go to the promotion department and tell them that he sent me so that they would test me. i did what he asked me to do but on may 2009, which was 6 months later. i went in and they gave me some texts and tried me out. then the head of the department said to me “ok … we will call you” but he didn’t ask for my number.

i knew then that he is not convinced with my voice so i went home practiced for a week and went back and tried again. he told me … “your voice is not cut out for this kind of work” !!! i was shocked !!! i believed that i got what it takes, he didn’t.
you would think that i’ve stopped trying, but i went again a week later. i came to impress, i came to prove to myself that i can do it, that i got what it takes. when he sow me he smiled at me and said “you again ?! … come on in”. he gave me a text and after a few takes he told me ” ok “, “ok what ? ” i said, he then glanced at me with a smile “this will be on tv this week … what’s you phone number ?”
i fell completely in love with that man ever since. he have been calling me for promotions till today. and from that experience i have learned a valuable lesson to never give up. thank you Rami.

Your Support system?
My family was behind me all the way. They are my biggest supporters and fans. I am truly blessed to have them and I thank God everyday for that. I love u Mom, Dad and Siss ;*
My friends were supportive as well, though I wasn’t the best friend toward them with the lack of time that I am living, Yet they were a blessing and backed me up. They told me their opinions honestly and advised me some valuable advices. I wish I could write them all by name but I am afraid I might drop one by mistake, however I would like to thank Nasser and yousef for being the closest and bearing me.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now ?
I ask god to help/guide me to what is best for me. I hope for myself in the next 5 years to finish my bachelors, masters degree and go on to PHD. I love teaching and I want to do it for living beside my work in the media.

Throw something for p0ach readers!
A golden rule “learn, learn, learn”, try and never give up. i have worked in tons of places before i could know my potential. i even worked in Qurtuba co-op in the summer of 2002. there is nothing wrong with trying what ever it is that you can.

Know that when allah closes a door he opens anther. Believe that your creator knows what is best for you and destined greatness in your life; pray for him and ask him for guidance.

Never hold anything in your heart but love. Do not harm anyone in any way. spread positivity through out the world and always always keep smiling.

I wish you all a happy and joyful life. Thank you Abdullah for being an inspiration/friend/role model. you are the best ;*

I want to thank my family and friends for being there for me. A big hug and lots of thanks to my second family at alwatan tv. And above all I thank god for his blessings.

You can contact me on Facebook : Meshari alMudhahkah