Arab television series, known as Musalsalat, which air during Ramadan have gained in popularity over the past decade across the Arab world, bringing families together after iftar.
It is during the month of Ramadan that millions of Muslims and non-Muslims enjoy the melodramatic series that often feature historical or religious figures, but also intriguing love stories. Arab satellite TV channels run one episode per day throughout the holy month until the Arab world holds its breath for the finale, which is broadcast on Eid Al Fitr.
Post-iftar entertainment started with Hakawatis, storytellers who traditionally recounted tales and myths on Ramadan nights, whether in homes or in coffee shops. People would gather around them, enthralled as the Hakawati acted out the characters.
At the end of the 1970s and throughout the 1980s, Egyptian TV produced Fawazeer Ramadan (Ramadan Riddles), which first aired on radio before its transfer to television.
In the 1990s, telenovelas imported from South America captivated television viewers across the Arab world.
As Arab satellite channels emerged in the mid-1990s, Egyptian Musalsalat became popular in the region, and shows such as Aaylat Al Hajj Metwalli (The Family of Al Hajj Metwalli) aired during Ramadan, setting a precedent that has carried forward to today.
But it was the expansion of Arabic satellite channels that really solidified the tradition. In the 2000s, these channels poured money into their Ramadan offerings, creating shows with very high production values. Syrian soap operas, such as Bab Al Hara (The Neighbourhood’s Gate), played a central role in the emergence of the modern form of Musalsalat. Since the beginning of the conflict in Syria, other countries of the region, mainly Kuwait, the UAE and Jordan, have emerged to take Syria’s place as major producers of Ramadan series.
The UAE has its own favourites. In 2016, Khiyanat Watan (Betrayal of a Homeland), was the first political series to get such a wide audience.
It dealt with a sensitive political issue – the inner workings of the Muslim Brotherhood – and was enormously popular.
The show proved that difficult, sensitive topics could make for popular television. This year, Al Gharabeeb Al Soud (Black Crows) will come to the small screen, delving into the rise of extremism in the region from a female perspective.
Musalsalat are now seen as a means to raise awareness on several sensitive social and political issues, and have turned into big-budget series.
They offer a chance for television channels to rewind the clock to the days when audiences routinely used to sit down to watch a show when it is originally broadcast, no small feat in an entertainment landscape fractured by Netflix, YouTube and other streaming options.
By combining controversial topics with high production values – and often an all important love story – Musalsalat have become a staple of Ramadan across the Middle East, as much a family tradition as the daily breaking of the fast.
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
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Results
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
THE LOWDOWN
Romeo Akbar Walter
Rating: 2/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Robby Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.