Reality-TV Personality and Social Entrepreneur Expresses Hurt Over DJ Khaled’s Silence on Israel-Gaza War
In an interview with The National, a reality-TV personality and social entrepreneur opens up about his disappointment with DJ Khaled’s lack of response regarding the Israel-Gaza war. Speaking passionately, he emphasizes that the silence of the Palestinian-American Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist will not be forgotten by those enduring the ongoing crisis in the region.
The individual, known as Musallet, recently returned from his regular visits to the West Bank, where his mother resides. He reveals that DJ Khaled had expressed a desire to visit Palestine but suggests that the current circumstances may prevent that from happening. Musallet explains, “They are really hurt by the lack of support, they really feel like they have been let down.”
Musallet himself shares in this anguish. As an established event producer and social entrepreneur, he acknowledges the risks celebrities face when speaking out about the war. However, considering the immense scale of destruction and loss of lives, with over 33,200 reported Palestinian casualties during the conflict, he believes it is impossible to ignore the situation.
DJ Khaled, a prominent figure in American popular music for nearly two decades, has not responded to attempts by The National to seek his comments on the matter.
Musallet suggests that there will come a point where artists and entertainers who financially benefited from touring the region will face a reckoning for their silence during the conflict. He admits reevaluating some of his professional and personal connections within the entertainment industry in light of the ongoing crisis.
For someone who has built his reputation, in part, through his extensive network, removing names from his contact book signifies a significant step.
Having moved to the UAE eight years ago, Musallet has carved out a career as an event manager and celebrity booker. He was instrumental in bringing the popular band Kiss for their record-breaking New Year’s Eve concert at Atlantis, the Palm in Dubai.
Besides his professional endeavors, Musallet is also the founder of The Giving Family, a charitable organization that serves meals to blue-collar workers in labor accommodations in Dubai. He shares that their recent Ramadan campaign witnessed over 5,000 volunteers serving more than 300,000 meals throughout the holy month.
His close proximity to stardom, combined with a humble and low-key demeanor, made him an intriguing and somewhat enigmatic cast member during the first season of the popular reality TV show Dubai Bling in 2022.
Reflecting on the show’s success, Musallet remarks, “As someone who understands branding, I was not surprised at all that the show became a success. You can tell the Netflix guys knew what they were doing just by naming the show Dubai Bling.” However, he clarifies that while the show may offer an entertaining portrayal of the Dubai lifestyle, it captures the entrepreneurial spirit that permeates the city. Musallet credits this sense of opportunity as the driving force behind his decision to move from Miami to Dubai and utilize his industry connections to build a successful career, attracting celebrities to spend time in the UAE.
In what he considers one of the coolest jobs in the country, Musallet often accompanied celebrities like LeBron James and Will Smith on tours of Dubai during their free time. Describing his role as an “entertainment concierge,” he strives to create itineraries that showcase different facets of Dubai, from must-see attractions to hidden gems known only to locals.
Musallet’s journey and experiences embody the dynamic and aspirational spirit of Dubai, where he has found success while also championing charitable causes and advocating for his homeland during challenging times.