Arab Idol winner and Palestinian singer Mohamed Assaf scooped the top prize for Best Middle Eastern Act at the MTV European Music Awards (EMA) on Thursday. 

The MTV EMA award ceremony is scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland on 9 November.

Assaf beat Egyptian band Cairokee, Lebanese singer Jana, Saudi DJ, producer and record label owner Omar Basaad and Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred.

Assaf is the first Palestinian to have won the award since its inception in 2007. In 2013, it went to Moroccan Afro-Arabian soul singer Ahmed Soultan. 

The award qualifies Assaf to enter the race for the Worldwide Act category which is also determined through fans' votes. Voting through MTV EMA's website will close on 29 October.

Last week, Assaf, who is a goodwill ambassador for peace for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees released a video calling for the end of the blockade on Gaza.