Every Ramadan brings a plethora of TV series and shows that are televised after iftar. A tradition in the Arab world, it is normal for families and friends to get together and spend hours in front of the box catching all the latest shows until suhour — the first pre-dawn meal of the day — before doing it all over again the next day.
Naturally, TV networks make a large per cent of their profit during Ramadan as more advertising spots become available.
This year's Ramadan however, arrives with some uncertainty due to the civil and political unrest currently occurring in the Arab world. According to various Arabic media reports, advertisers — especially those in Egypt — are spending less due to the unstable economy, and in return, various channels are unable to commission large numbers of shows as before for fear of not making a return on investment.
A number of Syrian and Egyptian dramas (that were in progress when demonstrations started) have also been reportedly put on hold, playing havoc with TV schedules. Egypt has produced only 22 dramas this year — a 50 per cent decline compared to last year.
As a result, a few famous faces are nowhere to be seen. Egyptian actress Yusra, for instance, who usually stars in a Ramadan series, is notably absent this year.
Nevertheless, there's still plenty of entertainment to go around.
tabloid! brings you a round-up of what to look out for this year.
SHAREA ABDUL AZIZ
With the majority of this Ramadan's Egyptian series produced prior to the overthrow of the country's government, many of them will depict issues that led to the protests, such as political corruption, social disintegration and the search for order.
One of these shows is Sharea Abdul Aziz (Abdul Aziz Street). Based on the residents of Abdul Aziz Street it is directed by Ahmad Yousry, and stars Amr Sa'ad and Ola Ganem.
Similar dramas to look out for include A'elet Karama (Karama's Family), where actors Hassan Yousuf and Afaf Shoeib explore juvenile delinquency and class conflict.
Meanwhile Noor Mariam (The Light of Mariam), starring Egyptian actor Yousuf Al Sherif and Lebanese singer and actress Nicole Saba is based on the issues of fraud compensation in Egypt.
Watch it on Panorama Drama
AL MOWATEN X
A few projects have come out following the overthrow of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, including Al Mowaten X (Citizen X). This show explores the issue of police torture, a topic that would have probably been banned during Mubarak's regime.
This murder mystery, starring Eyad Nassar, Mahmoud Abdul Moghny, Yousuf Al Sherif and Arwa Gouda, is based on the true story of torture victim Khalid Saeed. It revolves around three old friends who reunite to hunt for their friend's killer.
Watch it on Al Kahera wel Nas
SHAWARA AL KHALFIYAH
Despite the current conflict in his home country, Syrian actor Jamal Sulaiman completed his latest drama Shawara Al Khalfiyah (The Backstreets). Here, Suliaman plays the role of a military officer, who is dismissed from the army after refusing to fire on students during demonstrations. Later in the series, he falls in love with his neighbour, played by Laila Elwi.
Watch it on Al Dhafra TV
TASH MA TASH 18
Dubbed the most influential duo in GCC showbiz, Saudi comedians Abdullah Al Sadhan and Nasser Al Qasabi have pushed boundaries with their long-running hit TV show, Tash Ma Tash.
Following 18 consecutive seasons, the actors return for yet another season this Ramadan. You can definitely expect the cheeky chaps to be as controversial as ever.
Over the years, Al Sadhan and Al Qasabi have faced numerous challenges with lawsuits being filed against them and various threats by censors to pull the plug on their show. But through support from fans in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East, they have managed to pull through. We're guessing they'll be back as strong as ever this year thanks to the Arab spring.
Watch it in MBC
RAMADAN MABROOK ABU AL ALAMEIN HAMOUDA
2011 marks the return of Egyptian superstar Mohammad Heneidy to the small screen as he appears in the comedy Ramadan Mabrook Abu Al Alamein Hamouda (Ramadan Greedings Abu Al Almein Hamouda) reprising his role from the 2009 film of the same name. The series follows his shenanigans in Cairo and France as he continues his career as a hard-working teacher.
Watch it on Al Dhafra TV
AL SHAHROURA
We've already seen biopics of Abdul Haleem Hafez, Umm Kalthoum and Suad Hosni. This year is the turn of legendary Lebanese star Sabah.
Carole Samaha takes on the role of the legend in what is her first major TV role.
Understandably, Sabah's family were not too happy with the show going ahead due to the fact that she is still around, so they refused to cooperate with writer Feda'a Al Shandaweely. Because of the lack of cooperation from her family, Al Shahroura will not explore the 86-year-old star's much-publicised love life, which included a whopping nine marriages.
Watch it on Al Hayat
ABED KERMAN
Banned last year for reasons that were not made public, this political thriller will air this Ramadan.
Starring Tayem Hassan, who made a name for himself after his debut in King Farouk, Abed Kerman is set during Egypt's War of Attrition, where a spy working for the Egyptian intelligence develops a friendship with former Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Dayan.
Watch it on Al Hayat
ADAM
Making his television debut this year is singer Tamer Hosni, who appears alongside his Omar w Salma co-star Mai Ezz Al Deen in Adam.
Also featuring Dorra and Ahmad Zaher, this drama revolves around a friendship between a young Muslim delivery boy and a devout Christian girl that soon blossoms into love. Predictably, their relationship is faced with numerous obstacles due to the difference in their religious beliefs.
Watch it on Al Hayat and Panorama Drama
AL KEBEER AWY
One of the biggest Ramadan TV hits of last year, actor Ahmad Mekky returns with part two of the hilarious Al Kebeer Awy (The Very Popular One). Here, Mekky reprises the double roles of Al Kebeer — a traditional Egyptian mayor — and his twin brother who had a different upbringing in the USA.
They continue to fight for control of their village. Donia Sammer Ganem also returns.
Watch it on MBC
AL HASSAN W AL HUSSAIN
Ramadan isn't complete without a controversial release and this year comes courtesy of Abdul Bary Abu Kheir whose big budget biopic Al Hassan w Al Hussain (Al Hassan and Al Hussain) chronicles the thorny relationship of the Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) grandchildren with the Prophet's companions following the murder of Othman Ibn Affan, the fourth Caliph.
While depicting the Prophet's (PBUH) companions on screen is forbidden, the series was given the blessing of Islamic scholar Shaikh Yousuf Al Qaradawi. However, a number of other respected scholars have clashed with makers of the programme, issuing a fatwa to ban its broadcast.
Watch it on Rotana Khaleejia
Freej Season 4
They're back. Animated comedy Freej (Neighbourhood) makes a welcome return. The brainchild of Emirati artist Mohammad Saeed Hareb, Freej revolves around the lives of four Emirati grannies, who get up to various shenanigans.
Watch it on Sama TV
