Ayman Safieh, the Arab "Billy Elliot"

Ayman Safieh is a young Palestinian ballet dancer going against the grain. He has embraced his love for ballet in a culture that is not only unfamiliar with the art form but sometimes frowns upon men engaging in stereotypically female activities such as classical dance.

But not Ayman's family and friends. Atika Shubert profiled the 16-year old ballet prodigy for this month's CNN's Inside the Middle East.

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[mafiaridinspinners]

allah yekhzeek

[mafiaridinspinners]

Ya3ni manyak

[TheBillynab]

tfeh 3al manayek

[TheAsmar26]

What a beautiful family this young man has! I am happy for this talented young man!

[Ilanushkah]

this video is a bit misleading as this would probably not happen if this was a young Palestinian in Gaza Strip. This is an Israeli Arab boy living in Israel. That is why he has the freedom to fulfill his dreams and has also the chance and the opportunity to dance in Israeli ballet schools which are interested to promote talent from all parts of society and minorities in Israel but if I didn't live here, I wouldn't have known that. Unfortunately groups like Hamas would ridicule boys like Ayman

[poonotango]

@atomicboooom why would you say that you have no respect for anything, i bet you couldn't ever do a thing like that, sounds like your just a weak minded person that has got no where in life :)

[miss3sha87]

omg it doesnt mean he's gay

[atomicboooom]

More like the arab GAYLORD HAHAHHA

[Zadiel82]

GREAT!

[007jamesbond0071]

Great this art and muhammed pmbuh loved art in every form. I think that this guy is very brave. Allso the Muslims own the most wonderfull dance arts. Look at the soefiedance and the Arab bellydance.