Arab Version of Sesame Street ‘Iftah Ya Semem’ Is Returning After 25 Years
Everyone’s favorite childhood cartoon, Sesame Street, is returning to screens in the Arab world after 25 years.
The Arab version of the show, Iftah Ya Semsem, stopped during the Gulf War when the show’s studios were bombed in Kuwait City. The new production is set to premier this Friday after a long-awaited return. Iftah Ya Semsem, like Sesame Street, targets children from four to six. It is one of the most well-known edutainment shows that tackle different issues facing society.
Iftah Ya Semsem , which is filmed in Abu Dhabi and will air on nine channels throughout the Gulf countries, is not to be confused with the Egyptian version, Alam Semsem, which was more modified to fit the Egyptian culture.
“We have been working alongside Bidaya Media and other key partners from the very beginning, putting immense work and hours into research, planning and organising the educational curriculum of the new Iftah Ya Semsem to ensure that the children around the region can easily relate to the local stories and characters,” said Amal Al Qubaisi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council.
“Many of the messages [of other children’s TV programs] are not in line with our culture and some even promote violence,” she explained. “This show will not only engage our children through the use of classical Arabic, but also give them a social awareness.”
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