Arabize your little ones with the new Arabic version of Sesame Street!

The Gulf region is continuing to grow as a melting pot of diverse cultures and nationalities. While this is an important element for the progress of any nation, it is also increasingly crucial to ensure that its own culture and values remain strong and prominent among the locals of that region. A report by international researchers headed by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, found that the younger generation is losing interest in their own mother tongue, and subsequently their cultural heritage due to a heavy reliance on the English language. 

Many of the prominent agencies in the region are now supporting initiatives to enhance Arabic language usage among the younger generation. For instance, the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS) is carrying out a major initiative to disseminate and encourage the use of Arabic language. They are committed to enriching the lives of young children as a means of ensuring their ability to achieve their full potential as the future vanguard of the Gulf States.

With the emphasis on developing a wholesome child whose value system is deeply rooted in Arab culture, modern day television plays an important role on account of its ubiquitous presence, affordability and accessibility in our lives. Identifying a gap in the presence of Arabic TV production to drive strong educational initiatives for Arab children – “Iftah Ya Simsim,” supported by ABEGS, provides the ideal medium to fill this void and reach out to them in creative and engaging ways through a multitude of platforms, which the children can easily relate to. 

According to Ali Al Karni, Director General of ABEGS, the region shares a common language, religion, heritage, and culture – and a fond memory of the way “Iftah Ya Simsim” engaged the imaginations of the older generation when they were children. He believes It is time to push forward on producing regionally owned and produced educational and learning programs that enrich parent-child interaction, support early stimulation, awareness raising, and learning processes in young children, which is what “Iftah Ya Simsim” encapsulates.

Iftah Ya Simsim, the Arabic version of Sesame Street, is the Arab world’s pioneering television program that targets the educational needs of children aged 4 to 6.

Designed to look deep within the heart and soul of the region, “Iftah Ya Simsim” will embrace the rich vocabulary, culture and traditions of the region and weave them into engaging stories and events that will capture the imagination and interest of young children.

Originally aired in the 1980s, the new show will go above and beyond the previous show and issue a strong focus on holistic development through education, promoting a strong sense of local heritage and strengthening the learning of the spoken and written Arabic language, through fun, entertaining and educational content that will support their school preparedness.

“Iftah Ya Simsim” conducted thorough research to create and redefine the characters of the show to portray them as creative geniuses, scientists, researchers and sleuths firefighters, teachers, and sport stars, with an endless desire to explore knowledge in an entertaining and fun way through stories and songs. Set to be unveiled in September 2015, each of the show’s characters have their own unique personality, linguistic style and behavior that are consistent with their age, environmental context and cultural background. 

The new Iftah Ya Simsim has been created with the aim of turning the youth of the Arab World into harbingers of their rich culture, while being attuned to the modernity of the 21st century.