Jewish singer to make history representing Muslim majority country Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2025

The Jewish singer Asaf (Sefael) Mishiyev is expected to represent Azerbaijan at 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in May in Switzerland. In addition to being a talented musician, Mishiyev will be making history by becoming the first Jewish singer to represent a Muslim-majority country in the prominent European song contest. 

Mishiyev, who is the lead singer of the local band Mamagama and resides in the Azeri capital Baku, is popular among the Azerbaijan’s Jewish population that number around 40,000. 

He spoke to the Israeli news outlet Ynet about his Jewish identity and background. 

"I can speak Hebrew. I studied at a Jewish school here – there are two Jewish schools in Baku. Our relations with Israel are very strong. I feel like I’m not only representing Azerbaijan, my country, which I’m proud to represent, but also the Jewish people because my parents are Jewish," Mishiyev said. 

He recalled that he visited the Jewish state on two separate occasions. 

"The first time was on a Birthright trip," he said. "The second time was for a global Jewish music competition, where I represented Azerbaijan and won." He also revealed that he is interested in Israeli music and loves musicians like Asaf Avidan and Yael Naim. 

"I’d be very happy if Israelis support me," he said, referring to the upcoming Eurovision song contest. 

He also wished success to Yuval Raphael, a Nova music festival massacre survivor who was chosen to represent Israel at the Eurovision. 

"I’ve heard about Yuval Raphael and I fully support her. I wish her success and send her lots of love."  

Israel is currently ranked second just behind Sweden in the Eurovision odds. While Azerbaijan is only ranked number 23, much can still change before the May competition. 

Roman Gurevich, an honorary ambassador of the Jewish Agency in Azerbaijan, is not surprised that a Jewish citizen is chosen to represent the Muslim-majority country. 

"Azerbaijan has always respected Jews. For generations, we have received warmth and respect here. The Jewish people should remember Azerbaijan’s support during our most difficult times. Today, Azerbaijan is a loyal and important ally of Israel and choosing a Jewish singer is further proof of that," Gurevich asserted. 

Azerbaijan, which borders Iran and is located in the strategically important Caucasus region, has in recent years developed close commercial and military ties with Israel. 

In May 2023, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev hosted his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog in Baku. The Israeli president praised the close relations between Azerbaijan and Israel while warning of the shared threat posed by the Iranian regime. 

“We need to remember that beyond trade and historic ties, including with the Jewish community, that Azerbaijan is Iran's neighbor,” Herzog said.

“Iran is a destabilizing influence in the region that is working continuously to act against Israel and against the developing alliance of peace and security in the region, and I will certainly discuss this,” he continued.

In the summer of 2023, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited Azerbaijan and echoed similar sentiments about Iran as a threat to regional and global security. 

“I will present to the Azerbaijanis, in an accurate manner, the global danger of military nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran. I will detail to them the dangerous actions that Iran is doing within the borders of Israel... and throughout the Middle East,” Gallant stated.