The fuzzy tenants of Ahlan Simsim will be congregating for the show’s seventh season in Ramadan, this time encouraging positive self-identity and helping children feel good about the qualities that make them who they are.
An Arabic version of Sesame Street, Ahlan Simsim follows the adventures of Basma, Jad, and their diverse set of friends, which include familiar characters such as Elmo, Gargur (Grover), and Kaki (Cookie Monster). Each episode features the Muppets alongside animated characters and trusted adults who help them set goals and persevere.
For the new season, the Muppets aim to encourage young viewers to learn skills that will help them build self-confidence, while also making a positive contribution to their communities.
In addition to highlighting the importance of children’s social and emotional well-being, the 26 episodes of the coming season include new literacy, maths, and DIY segments, plus a live-action component featuring children and their families from the region.
“Nurturing positive self-identity in children at an early age empowers them to try new things and strive for success. It is part of the development of much-needed soft skills that form the basis for social and emotional growth,” says Khaled Haddad, the show’s executive producer.
“With Ahlan Simsim, we have the opportunity to take on this great task and help develop a positive sense of self among our young viewers, a responsibility which we take very seriously.”
Since its launch in February 2020, Ahlan Simsim has reached more than 23 million young viewers across the Middle East and North Africa.
Produced in Amman in collaboration with Jordan Pioneers, Ahlan Simsim comes from a team of writers, producers and performers from across the region. The show’s curriculum and storylines were designed in collaboration with local early childhood specialists and psychologists.
The series is part of a broader humanitarian initiative of the same name ― a partnership between Sesame Workshop and the International Rescue Committee.
Through Ahlan Simsim and direct services in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, the programme reaches families affected by conflict and displacement with vital educational resources that help young viewers to thrive. The initiative has reached one million children and caregivers.
“Sesame Workshop is thrilled with the response to Ahlan Simsim. We’ve heard incredibly moving stories from parents and teachers about how children watch Ahlan Simsim and apply its educational messages to their own lives,” says Scott Cameron, head of international production at Sesame Workshop.
“Educational experts carefully crafted the show’s curriculum to build upon the foundational social-emotional skills that Ahlan Simsim featured in previous seasons. And, in continuing the Sesame model that began with Iftah Ya Simsim, we ensure that every episode is packed with joy, humour, playfulness and heartfelt moments of friendship.”
Starting the first day of Ramadan, season seven of Ahlan Simsim will broadcast daily on MBC3 at 2.30pm UAE time
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Power: 272hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 331Nm from 5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km
On sale: now
Price: Dh149,000
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Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face
The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.
The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran.
Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf.
"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said.
Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer.
The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
