The show’s curriculum is designed in close collaboration with regional experts to help children develop better self-awareness skills.
Ahlan Simsim, an Arabic children’s show from the creators of Iftah Ya Simsim and Sesame Street, is set to launch a new season on the first day of Ramadan, following its success of reaching over 23m children across the Middle East and North Africa.
To celebrate the launch of season seven, Ahlan Simsim held a special screening at Cinemacity Fountain Views in Downtown Dubai. The event, which was Ahlan Simsim’s first-ever in-person launch, was attended by key local partners, media representatives, and social media personalities along with their families.
Starting the first day of Ramadan, season seven of Ahlan Simsim will air daily on MBC3 at 1:30 pm KSA.
Throughout the seventh season of Ahlan Simsim, a variety of educational segments will emphasise the importance of self-identity, or what makes a person unique. With the show’s most beloved characters Basma, Jad, Ameera, and Ma’zooza, as well as familiar favorites like Elmo, Gargur (Grover), and Kaki (Cookie Monster), young viewers will learn skills that allow them to build the foundation for respect for themselves and others, as well as make a positive contribution to their communities.
Produced in Amman with Jordan Pioneers, Ahlan Simsim is brought to life by a team of writers, producers, and performers from across the Middle East and North Africa. The show’s curriculum and storylines were designed in close collaboration with local early childhood specialists, psychologists, and creative talent, with strategies that help children develop better self-awareness skills with the humour and joy that Ahlan Simsim is known for. In addition to modelling the importance of children’s social-emotional well-being, all 26 episodes will include new literacy, math, and DIY segments, plus live-action segments with children and their families from throughout the region.
Speaking about the show, Khaled Haddad, Executive Producer of Ahlan Simsim, said: “Nurturing positive self-identity in children at an early age empowers them to try new things and strive for success. It is part of the development of much-needed soft skills that form the basis for social and emotional growth. With Ahlan Simsim, we have the opportunity to take on this great task and help develop a positive sense of self among our young viewers, a responsibility which we take very seriously.”
Ahlan Simsim is part of a broader humanitarian initiative of the same name, in a partnership between Sesame Workshop and the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Through the Ahlan Simsim show and direct services in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, the programme is reaching families affected by conflict and displacement with vital educational resources that children need to thrive.
Scott Cameron, Head of International Production at Sesame Workshop, added: “Sesame Workshop is thrilled with the response to Ahlan Simsim. We’ve heard incredibly moving stories from parents and teachers about how children watch Ahlan Simsim and apply its educational messages to their own lives. Educational experts carefully crafted the show’s curriculum to build upon the foundational social-emotional skills that Ahlan Simsim featured in previous seasons. And, in continuing the Sesame model that began with Iftah Ya Simsim, we ensure that every episode is packed with joy, humour, playfulness, and heartfelt moments of friendship.”
Cameron added: “Ahlan Simsim has transformed how Sesame Workshop thinks about its international productions of Sesame Street. It brings together hundreds of educators, writers, composers, producers, animators, and media professionals from across the Middle East and North Africa, creating something to help their children learn and grow.”
Scott Cameron, Head of International Production at Sesame Workshop, stated: “It is a long-awaited moment for the Ahlan Simsim family to meet with our friends here in Dubai. The event was a resounding success, and the great turnout was a testament to the show’s success and popularity among children in the UAE. We value our viewers’ trust and promise to always deliver educational and relevant content that enriches children’s lives and helps them grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.”
Ahlan Simsim episodes will also be available on a variety of regional and national TV stations, including Sat 7, Roya TV and Jordan TV in Jordan, Nour Sat in Lebanon, Al Sumaria and UTV in Iraq, as well as SVOD regional platform Weyyak.
