Ramadan TV line-up: the new, the old and the controversial

Published July 22nd, 2012 - 09:33 GMT

Introducing our very own TV-listing for Ramadan 2012 in a sliding gallery of TV blurbs. Find out what's playing this season from the old sagas, to the new entries and the still up-for-debate controversial numbers.

TV shows from Egypt, Syria and the Gulf address a cornucopia of issues ranging from family through society, history politics and justice as well as theology for the holy month.

What will you be watching this Ramadan?

Leave your comments on the Ramadan TV line-up of 2012 in the space below

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Egyptian bank heist: Ferqet Naji Ata Allah‪,‬ (Naji Ata Allah's Gang) stars former Mubarak-ite Adel Imam - Egypt's comedy man recently charged with offending Islam - as a retired army officer at Tel Aviv's Egyptian embassy. His anti-Israeli stance lands him in hot water. When an Israeli bank freezes his money, he forms a gang and robs the bank.

Mohammad Saad in Shams El-Ansary is Robin Hood this Ramadan

Mohammad Saad is back on the small screen with a series called: "Shams El-Ansary" 15 years since his last show "Who doesn't love Fatmeh". Saad, who hails from an Upper Egypt district, plays the Robin Hood character who fights injustice as a thief who steals from the rich to give to the poor.

Red Lines airs this Ramadan with Ahmad Saqqa

Lines are crossed: Another returnee to TV Ahmad Saqqa stars in "Red Lines". The romantic drama sees him playing a cop whose father was a 1973 war martyr. The series has already been the subject of controversy on account of 'steamy hugs' Saqqa shared with female actress Yousra Lauzi in the first episode deemed inappropriate for the holy month.

Sister Teresa stars Hanan Turk this Ramadan

Sister Teresa brings us layers of dramatic irony with Muslims playing Christians playing Muslims! It stars the veiled Egyptian actress Hanan Turk (who faces her own ordeal with sectarians in Egypt). The story is about twin female sisters raised by two separate families: one Muslim, and the other Christian-raised 'sister' chose the life of a nun.

Ghada Adel stars in "Sirr Alani" a Public Secret for Ramadan

It's no secret that Ghada Adel plays a university lecturer in "Sirr Alani" (Public Secret): Ghada Adel is an American University of Cairo (AUC) economics teacher who falls in love with Jordanian actor Eyad Nassar. The TV series tackles the mafias dominating the pharmaceutical drug companies, and the impact these power dynamics have on real lives.

Hind Sabri spins the series right round! The Tunisian actress makes us dizzy as the hit attraction of show "Vertigo". The soap is based on a successful novel by Ahmed Mourad (a photographer who used to work in Mubarak's presidential palace) and stars Hind Sabri as a young photographer who witnesses a crime-scene where businessmen get shot.

Omar Ibn Khattab stirs debate in Islamic circles this Ramadan

To air or not to air? Omar Ibn Khattab has caused pre-airing religious debate, the subject of opprobrium from Islamic circles. Al-Azhar forbids "the personification of prophets, members of Prophet Mohamed’s (PBUH) household, and [his] ten companions that were promised paradise.” The series portrays three of the Prophet's Righteous Caliphs.

Hiber El-Ayoon is a Kuwaiti TV series for Ramadan

Hiber El-Ayoon (Eye-liner) is a Kuwaiti series starring diva Hayat El-Fahd. Suad (played by El-Fahd) is an old lady living abroad with her husband. Life may be difficult enough, and her sons never visit. On top of that, Suad has a handicapped daughter in her care who she has to protect from her strict husband.

Khawat Denia airs this Ramadan with Suad Abdullah

Khawat Denia (Sisters in Life): another Kuwaiti drama starring another Kuwaiti diva, Suad Abdullah. The story tells of a group of friends of different nationalities and their various social problems. We are left to draw the conclusion that Arab society shares commonalities from one country to the next, in spite of radically different dialects.

Helft Oumri promises a drama of a Kuwaiti single mother

Helft Oumri (A Life's Promise): And another Kuwaiti entry that stars Huda Hussain is the story of a young lady who falls in love but faces a forced arranged marriage to a man of her family's choosing. Now a single mother, she finds herself divorced and struggling to raise two daughters.

Saher El-Leil: Watan Nahar - the Kuwaiti 1990s series

Saher El-Leil: Watan Nahar (Awake at night: At the Mercy of Day ). Part 3 of this Kuwaiti series brings us more family relations during the early 1990s when Saddam invaded Kuwait.

Lubaat Mara Rujal is a Saudi drama for Ramadan

Toys, boys, playthings: Maisa El-Mughrabi stars in "Lubaat Mara Rujal" (Men are women's toys)". This Saudi drama is based on a novel of the same name. However novelist Sarah Elwi said that the TV series is a departure from what she wrote since she was sticking to businessmen.

Raffet Ain is a Ramadan Syrian soap opera

Raffet Ain (Blink Of An Eye) is a Syrian soap entry written by as well as starring Syrian actress Amal Arfeh. This marks the third series written by as well as featuring this actress. She explores the topic of poverty and the struggle of life at the bottom.

Sa'at el-Jamr is Ramadan's Syrian TV series

Hours of Embers (Saa't el-Jamr): Here comes Part 2 of the Syrian series "Weladah men Khaserah" (Born of Loss) about corruption & poverty. Syrian actor Maxim Khalil opted out of this strand of the series, declaring that he already had his hands full with his role in hit series Ruby, alongside co-lead Serine Abdel Nour, thank you very much.

"Tahoon al Shar" (The Mill of Evil) is a series set in the old city of Damascus. It tells the story of a boy who was taken back to life from the grave to live a long life.

Zaman El-Barghout is a historical Ramadan drama of Syria

Zaman El-Barghout (In the Time of the Flea): According to one of the actors, Ayman Zidan, -this drama stands out from the other medley of Syrian soaps because it contains a wide array of social and historical angles of the capital city.

Sabaya is Part 3 of a Syrian drama for Ramadan

"Sabaya" (Young Ladies): Part 3 of this Syrian series that revolves around a group of young women and the way they run their youthful lives, is set in Dubai.

Abu Janty Mallek el-Taxi is a Syrian comedy drama at Ramadan in Dubai

Abu Janty Mallek el-Taxi (Father of Janty, King of Taxis): Part 2 of this comedy series taking place in Dubai looks at the adventures of Abu Janty (played by Samer El-Masri) who heads to the big city (Dubai) as a taxi-driver.

Bouqat al Dao' puts the spotlight on Syrian stories for Ramadan

"Bouqat al Dao' " (Spotlight): Part 9 of a very famous Syrian series that hinges on multiple stories. This sequel is played by a multitude of stars who put the spotlight on many Syrian dramas within a drama, for those who can't get enough.

Egyptian bank heist: Ferqet Naji Ata Allah‪,‬ (Naji Ata Allah's Gang) stars former Mubarak-ite Adel Imam - Egypt's comedy man recently charged with offending Islam - as a retired army officer at Tel Aviv's Egyptian embassy. His anti-Israeli stance lands him in hot water. When an Israeli bank freezes his money, he forms a gang and robs the bank.

Mohammad Saad is back on the small screen with a series called: "Shams El-Ansary" 15 years since his last show "Who doesn't love Fatmeh". Saad, who hails from an Upper Egypt district, plays the Robin Hood character who fights injustice as a thief who steals from the rich to give to the poor.

Lines are crossed: Another returnee to TV Ahmad Saqqa stars in "Red Lines". The romantic drama sees him playing a cop whose father was a 1973 war martyr. The series has already been the subject of controversy on account of 'steamy hugs' Saqqa shared with female actress Yousra Lauzi in the first episode deemed inappropriate for the holy month.

Sister Teresa brings us layers of dramatic irony with Muslims playing Christians playing Muslims! It stars the veiled Egyptian actress Hanan Turk (who faces her own ordeal with sectarians in Egypt). The story is about twin female sisters raised by two separate families: one Muslim, and the other Christian-raised 'sister' chose the life of a nun.

It's no secret that Ghada Adel plays a university lecturer in "Sirr Alani" (Public Secret): Ghada Adel is an American University of Cairo (AUC) economics teacher who falls in love with Jordanian actor Eyad Nassar. The TV series tackles the mafias dominating the pharmaceutical drug companies, and the impact these power dynamics have on real lives.

Hind Sabri spins the series right round! The Tunisian actress makes us dizzy as the hit attraction of show "Vertigo". The soap is based on a successful novel by Ahmed Mourad (a photographer who used to work in Mubarak's presidential palace) and stars Hind Sabri as a young photographer who witnesses a crime-scene where businessmen get shot.

To air or not to air? Omar Ibn Khattab has caused pre-airing religious debate, the subject of opprobrium from Islamic circles. Al-Azhar forbids "the personification of prophets, members of Prophet Mohamed’s (PBUH) household, and [his] ten companions that were promised paradise.” The series portrays three of the Prophet's Righteous Caliphs.

Hiber El-Ayoon (Eye-liner) is a Kuwaiti series starring diva Hayat El-Fahd. Suad (played by El-Fahd) is an old lady living abroad with her husband. Life may be difficult enough, and her sons never visit. On top of that, Suad has a handicapped daughter in her care who she has to protect from her strict husband.

Khawat Denia (Sisters in Life): another Kuwaiti drama starring another Kuwaiti diva, Suad Abdullah. The story tells of a group of friends of different nationalities and their various social problems. We are left to draw the conclusion that Arab society shares commonalities from one country to the next, in spite of radically different dialects.

Helft Oumri (A Life's Promise): And another Kuwaiti entry that stars Huda Hussain is the story of a young lady who falls in love but faces a forced arranged marriage to a man of her family's choosing. Now a single mother, she finds herself divorced and struggling to raise two daughters.

Saher El-Leil: Watan Nahar (Awake at night: At the Mercy of Day ). Part 3 of this Kuwaiti series brings us more family relations during the early 1990s when Saddam invaded Kuwait.

Toys, boys, playthings: Maisa El-Mughrabi stars in "Lubaat Mara Rujal" (Men are women's toys)". This Saudi drama is based on a novel of the same name. However novelist Sarah Elwi said that the TV series is a departure from what she wrote since she was sticking to businessmen.

Raffet Ain (Blink Of An Eye) is a Syrian soap entry written by as well as starring Syrian actress Amal Arfeh. This marks the third series written by as well as featuring this actress. She explores the topic of poverty and the struggle of life at the bottom.

Hours of Embers (Saa't el-Jamr): Here comes Part 2 of the Syrian series "Weladah men Khaserah" (Born of Loss) about corruption & poverty. Syrian actor Maxim Khalil opted out of this strand of the series, declaring that he already had his hands full with his role in hit series Ruby, alongside co-lead Serine Abdel Nour, thank you very much.

"Tahoon al Shar" (The Mill of Evil) is a series set in the old city of Damascus. It tells the story of a boy who was taken back to life from the grave to live a long life.

Zaman El-Barghout (In the Time of the Flea): According to one of the actors, Ayman Zidan, -this drama stands out from the other medley of Syrian soaps because it contains a wide array of social and historical angles of the capital city.

"Sabaya" (Young Ladies): Part 3 of this Syrian series that revolves around a group of young women and the way they run their youthful lives, is set in Dubai.

Abu Janty Mallek el-Taxi (Father of Janty, King of Taxis): Part 2 of this comedy series taking place in Dubai looks at the adventures of Abu Janty (played by Samer El-Masri) who heads to the big city (Dubai) as a taxi-driver.

"Bouqat al Dao' " (Spotlight): Part 9 of a very famous Syrian series that hinges on multiple stories. This sequel is played by a multitude of stars who put the spotlight on many Syrian dramas within a drama, for those who can't get enough.

Ramadan TV line-up: the new, the old and the controversial

Mohammad Saad is back on the small screen with a series called: "Shams El-Ansary" 15 years since his last show "Who doesn't love Fatmeh". Saad, who hails from an Upper Egypt district, plays the Robin Hood character who fights injustice as a thief who steals from the rich to give to the poor.

Helft Oumri (A Life's Promise): And another Kuwaiti entry that stars Huda Hussain is the story of a young lady who falls in love but faces a forced arranged marriage to a man of her family's choosing. Now a single mother, she finds herself divorced and struggling to raise two daughters.

Saher El-Leil: Watan Nahar (Awake at night: At the Mercy of Day ). Part 3 of this Kuwaiti series brings us more family relations during the early 1990s when Saddam invaded Kuwait.

Toys, boys, playthings: Maisa El-Mughrabi stars in "Lubaat Mara Rujal" (Men are women's toys)". This Saudi drama is based on a novel of the same name. However novelist Sarah Elwi said that the TV series is a departure from what she wrote since she was sticking to businessmen.

Raffet Ain (Blink Of An Eye) is a Syrian soap entry written by as well as starring Syrian actress Amal Arfeh. This marks the third series written by as well as featuring this actress. She explores the topic of poverty and the struggle of life at the bottom.

"Tahoon al Shar" (The Mill of Evil) is a series set in the old city of Damascus. It tells the story of a boy who was taken back to life from the grave to live a long life.

Zaman El-Barghout (In the Time of the Flea): According to one of the actors, Ayman Zidan, -this drama stands out from the other medley of Syrian soaps because it contains a wide array of social and historical angles of the capital city.

"Sabaya" (Young Ladies): Part 3 of this Syrian series that revolves around a group of young women and the way they run their youthful lives, is set in Dubai.

Abu Janty Mallek el-Taxi (Father of Janty, King of Taxis): Part 2 of this comedy series taking place in Dubai looks at the adventures of Abu Janty (played by Samer El-Masri) who heads to the big city (Dubai) as a taxi-driver.

"Bouqat al Dao' " (Spotlight): Part 9 of a very famous Syrian series that hinges on multiple stories. This sequel is played by a multitude of stars who put the spotlight on many Syrian dramas within a drama, for those who can't get enough.

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