Guide To Arabic Satellite TV Channels

Below is a guide to all Arabic satellite TV channels with links to their websites.

Most of these channels can be seen on Nilesat and Arabsat satellite, this means that people in Europe using Hotbird satellite to receive channels will not be able to view all of these channels.

On important thing to notice in the development of satellite channels is the number of Iraqi channels broadcasts. I remember that till the end of 2006 there were 28 channels after it has been only two channels before 2003.




- الفضائية السورية Syria Satellite Channel
http://www.rtv.gov.sy


- قناة الدنيا السورية Addounia TV
http://www.addounia.tv

- قناة الرأي السورية Arrai TV
http://www.arraitv.net

- قناة المجد للحديث الشريف Almajd Al Hadeeth Al Nabawy

http://www.hadeeth.tv

- قناة تونس Tunis 7
http://www.tunisiatv.com

- قناة بيئتي Beeaty TV
http://www.beeaty.tv


- قناة الخليجية Al Khalijiya
http://www.khtv.tv

- قناة سلطنة عمان الثانية Oman TV 2
http://www.oman-tv.gov.om/tvara

- قناة مسايا Massaya
http://www.massaya.tv

- قناة التجارية Al Tejariah TV Channel
http://www.altejariah.tv

- قناة جامعة القاهرة للتعليم المفتوح Cairo University 1
http://www.ou.cu.edu.eg

- قناة العراقية الفضائية Al Iraqiya Satellite
http://iraqimedianet.net/tv/index.htm

- قناة العراقية أطياف أو العراقية الثانية Al Iraqiya 2
http://iraqimedianet.net/tv/index.htm

- قناة العراقية الرياضية Al Iraqiya Sports
http://iraqimedianet.net/tv/index.htm

- قناة روتانا كليب Rotana Clip
http://www.rotana.net/RotanaNew/TV/tv.aspx?page=Clip

- قناة روتانا طرب Rotana Tarab
http://www.rotana.net/RotanaNew/TV/tv.aspx?page=Tarab

- قناة البركة Al Baraka TV
http://www.albaraka.tv

- قناة الحكمة Al Hekmah TV
http://www.alhekmah.tv

- قناة أفاق العراقية Afaq TV
http://www.afaq.tv

- قناة ميلودي تركس Melody Trix
http://www.melodytrix.tv

- قناة Fun TV
http://www.funtv-eg.com

- قناة OTV
http://www.otvinvest.com

- قناة سكوب Scope TV
http://www.scopecenter.net

- قناة أفراح Afrah TV
http://www.afrah.tv

- قناة فتوى Al Fatwaa
http://www.fatwatv.com

- قناة القيثارة العراقية Al Qiethara Satellite Channel
http://www.alqiethara.tv

- قناة بحري Bahry TV
http://www.bahry.com

- قناة روسيا اليوم Rusiya Al-Yaum
http://www.rtarabic.com


- قناة وطن الأردنية Watan TV
http://www.wtv.jo

- قناة الصحراء Al Sahraa TV
http://www.alsahraa.tv

- قناة الوطن الكويتية Alwatan TV
http://tv.alwatan.com.kw

- قناة المستقلة Al Mustakillah TV
http://www.almustakillah.com

- قناة الأمة Al Omma TV
http://www.alomma.tv

- قناة الفيحاء Al Fayhaa
http://www.alfayhaatv.net

- قناة شــدا Shada TV
http://www.shadatv.com

- قناة الأقصى الفلسطينية Alaqsa Satellite Channel
http://www.aqsatv.ps

- قناة أطلس للسفر و الثقافة ATC
http://www.atctv.com

- قناة عرب Arab TV
http://www.arabtv.ae

- القنوات التعليمية المصرية ERTU
http://www.ertu.org

- قناة التعليم الابتدائي و الإعدادي المصرية Primary and Preparatory Education Channel
http://www.ertu.org/Nile_Chan/NL_edu.html

- قناة التعليم الثانوي المصرية Secondary Education Channel
http://www.ertu.org/Nile_Chan/NL_edu.html

- قناة التعليم التقني المصرية Technical Education Channel
http://www.ertu.org/Nile_Chan/NL_edu.html

- قناة تعليم اللغات المصرية ******** Education Channel
http://www.ertu.org/Nile_Chan/NL_edu.html

- قناة التعليم العالي المصرية High Education Channel
http://www.ertu.org/Nile_Chan/highedu.html

- قناة التعليم العالي الثانية High Education Channel 2
http://www.oucu.edu.eg


- قناة المنارة العلمية المصرية Al Manarah Science Channel
http://www.ertu.org/Nile_Chan/highedu.html

- قناة العربية الاقتصادية ABC : Arab Business Channel
http://www.businessnewstv.net

- قناة الفجر الفضائية Al Fajr Space Channel
http://www.fajr.tv

- قناة صلاح الدين العراقية Salahaddin TV
http://www.salahaddintv.com

- قناة بلادي العراقية Beladi Satellite Channel
http://www.beladi.tv

- قناة الفرات العراقية Al Forat
http://www.alforattv.com

- قناة تميمة Tamima TV
http://www.tamima.tv

- قناة الهدى Huda TV
http://huda.tv

- قناة أبو ظبي Abu Dhabi TV
http://www.emi.ae

- قناة الواسطة Al Wasta
http://www.alwasta.tv

- قناة الرسالة Al-Resalah Satellite TV Channel
http://www.alresalah.net

- قناة روتانا سينما Rotana Cinema
http://www.rotana.net/RotanaNew/TV/tv.aspx?page=Cinema

- قناة الحرة عراق Alhurra Iraq
http://www.alhurra.com

- القناة الأولى المصرية ERTU 1 Sat
http://www.ertu.org/tv_channel/ch1.html

- قناة النيل الدولية Nile TV International
http://www.niletv.net.tf

- قناة المصرية الفضائية Al Masriya
http://www.ertu.org/esc/esc.html


- قناة المنوعة الليبية Al Monowa
http://www.ljbc.net

- قناة سيليفيجين Selevision
http://www.selevision.net

- قناة الراي الكويتية Alrai TV
http://www.alrai.tv

- قناة الهداية الليبية Al Hedaya
http://www.ljbc.net

- قناة المشكاة Al Mishkat Channel
http://www.almishkat.tv

- قناة ميوزيك بلص Music Plus
http://www.gbs.ae/gbs/music.htm

- قناة دبي ون Dubai One
http://www.dubaione.ae

- قناة دبي الرياضية Dubai Sports Channel
http://www.dubaisports.ae

- قناة ســما دبي Sama Dubai
http://www.samadubai.ae

- قناة دبي الفضائية Dubai TV
http://www.dubaitv.gov.ae

- قناة الشارقة Sharjah TV
http://www.sharjahtv.ae

- قناة سبيس تون عربي Space Toon Arabic
http://www.spacetoon.tv

- قناة نجوم Nojoom
http://www.nojoomtv.com

- قناة سي إن بي سي عربية Space Toon Arabic
http://www.cnbcarabia.com

- قناة الشرقية العراقية Alsharqiya TV
http://www.alsharqiyatv.com

- قناة الاقتصادية Al Eqtisadia
http://www.eqtisadia.tv

- قنوات شبكة الأوائل ADD

http://www.adduniverse.com

- قناة الحرة Alhurra
http://www.alhurra.com

- قناة فلسطين الفضائية Palestinian Satellite Channel
http://www.psctv.com

- قناة المغربية الأولى Al Maghribya
http://www.almaghribia.com

- قناة السودان الفضائية Sudan TV
http://www.sudantv.net

- قناة سلطنة عمان الفضائية Oman TV Satellite
http://www.oman-tv.gov.om/tvara

- قناة البحرين الفضائية Bahrain TV
http://www.bahraintv.com

- قناة الكويت الفضائية Kuwait TV 1 Satellite
http://www.moinfo.gov.kw

- قناة المحور المصرية Mehwar
http://www.elmehwar.tv

- قناة الكويتية الثانية Kuwait TV 2
http://www.moinfo.gov.kw

- قناة الكويتية الثالثة Kuwait TV 3
http://www.moinfo.gov.kw

- قناة الحوار Al Hiwar TV
http://www.alhiwar.tv

- قناة الأزياء العربية Fashion TV Arabia
http://www.ftvarabia.com

- قناة الليبية الفضائية Jamahirya Satellite Channel
http://www.ljbc.net

- قناة النيل للأخبار Nile News
http://www.nilenews.tv

- قناة النيل للأسرة و الطفل Nile Family and Kids
http://www.ertu.org/Nile_Chan/NL_family.html

- قناة النيل للمنوعات Nile Variety
http://www.ertu.org/Nile_Chan/NL_var.html

- قناة النيل للدراما Nile Drama

http://www.ertu.org/Nile_Chan/NL_drama.html

- قناة النيل للرياضة Nile Sports
http://www.ertu.org/Nile_Chan/NL_sports.html

- قناة النيل الثقافية Nile Culture
http://www.ertu.org/Nile_Chan/NL_culture.html

- قناة التنوير Al Tanweer Channel
http://www.ertu.org/Nile_Chan/tanweer.html

- قناة دريم الثانية Dream 2
http://www.dreams.tv/arabic/dream2

- قناة الواحة Al Waha
http://www.alwaha.tv

- قناة نجوم 3 Nojoom 3
http://www.nojoomtv.com

- قناة تي إكس تي TXT
http://www.txttv.tv

- قناة شات كوم Chatcom TV
http://www.chatcomtv.tv

- قناة المجد الفضائية Almajd Space Channel
http://www.almajdtv.net

- قناة دريم 1 Dream 1
http://www.dreams.tv/arabic/dream1

- قناة دي دبليو تي في عربية
http://www2.dw-world.de/arabic/dw-tv

- قناة مزيكا Mazzika
http://www.mazzika.tv

- قناة إي تي في ETV
http://www.entv.tv

- قناة مزيكا زووم Mazzika Zoom
http://www.mazzika.tv

- قناة الكوثر Alkawthar TV
http://www.alkawthartv.ir

- قناة الرافدين العراقية Al Rafiden TV
http://www.alrafiden.tv

- قناة سبايسي Spicy
http://www.spicyland.tv

- قناة بغداد الفضائية Baghdad Satellite Channel
http://www.baghdad-tv.net

- قناة البغدادية العراقية Al Baghdadia
http://www.albaghdadia.com

- قناة الناس Alnas
http://www.alnas.tv

- قناة إم بي سي 1 MBC 1
http://www.mbc.net/

- قناة إم بي سي 2 MBC 2
http://www.mbc.net/

- قناة إم بي سي 3 MBC 3
http://www.mbc.net

- قناة إم بي سي 4 MBC 4
http://www.mbc4.net

- قناة العربية Al Arabiya
http://www.alarabiya.net

- قناة حواس Hawas TV
http://www.hawas.ae

- قناة العقارية الاولى Al Aqariya TV
http://www.alaqariya.tv

- قناة العقارية الثانية Al Aqariya 2
http://www.alaqariya.tv

- قناة زي عربية Zee Arabiya
http://www.zeearabiya.com

- قناة إم بي سي أكشن MBC Action
http://www.mbc.net/

- قناة أخبار المستقبل Future News
http://www.futuretvnetwork.com

- قناة الشارقة الثانية Sharjah TV 2
http://www.sharjahtv.ae

- قناة ميدي 1 سات المغربية Medi 1 Sat
http://www.medi1.com/medi1/index.php

- قناة ميلودي عربية Melody Arabia
http://www.melodyarabia.tv

- قناة المغربية الثانية 2M Monde
http://www.2m.tv

- قناة سبيس تون بور Space Toon Power
http://www.spacetoon.tv

- قناة الشبابية Shababiyah TV
http://www.shababiyahtv.com

- قناة العفاسي Alafasy TV
http://www.alafasy.tv

- قناة الجزيرة الانكليزية Al Jazeera English
http://english.aljazeera.net

- قناة أرتينيز ART Teenz
http://www.art-tv.net

- قناة اقرأ Iqraa
http://www.iqraa-tv.net

- قناة الفضائية الأردنية Al Ordoniya

http://www.jrtv.jo/jrtv/index.ph

- قناة المستقبل Future TV International
http://www.futuretvnetwork.com

- قناة ميلودي أفلام Melody Aflam
http://www.melodyaflam.tv

- قناة روتانا زمان Rotana Zaman
http://www.rotana.net/RotanaNew/TV/tv.aspx?page=Zaman


- قناة البداية Al Bedaya
http://www.zawag.tv

- قناة أبو ظبي الرياضية Abu Dhabi Sports
http://www.emi.co.ae

- قناة هاي تي في Hi TV
http://www.hi***.tv

- قناة أصول Osool
http://www.osool.tv

- قناة الأنوار Al Anwar TV
http://www.alanwartv.com

- قناة العالم Alalam News Channel
http://www.alalam.ir

- قناة المجد للقرآن الكريم Almajd Holy Quran
http://www.quran.tv

- قناة حنبعل التونسية Hannibal TV
http://www.hannibaltv.com.tn

- قناة الكاس القطرية Alkass
http://www.alkass.net

- قناة مرح Mara7
http://www.mara7.tv

- قناة إن بي إن اللبنانية NBN
http://www.nbn.com.lb

- قناة هي (قناة المرأة العربية ) Heya TV
http://www.heyatv.com

- قناة الجديد اللبنانية New TV Sat
http://www.newtvsat.com

- قناة المنار اللبنانية Al Manar TV
http://www.manartv.com

- قناة إل بي سي LBC Sat
http://www.lbcsat.com.lb

- قناة روتانا خليجية Rotana Khalijiah
http://www.rotana.net/RotanaNew/TV/t...age=Khalijiyya

- قناة السومرية العراقية Alsumaria
http://www.alsumaria.tv

- قناة السعودية الأولى Saudi Arabian TV 1
http://www.info.gov.sa/portals/tv/index.php

- قناة السعودية الثانية Saudi Arabian TV 2
http://www.info.gov.sa/portals/tv2/index.php

- قناة الرياضية السعودية Al Riyadiah Satellite
http://www.info.gov.sa/portals/tv3/index.php

- قناة الإخبارية السعودية Al Ekhbariya
http://www.info.gov.sa/portals/tv4/index.php

- قناة قطر الفضائية Qatar TV
http://www.qatar-tv.net

- قناة السادسة ( قناة محمد السادس للقرآن الكريم ) Assadissa Maroc
http://www.rtm.ma

- قناة الرياضية المغربية Arriyadiya
http://www.rtm.ma

- قناة الجزائر (الثالثة ) Algeria 3 (Thalitha TV)
http://www.thalithatv.dz

- قناة نسمة ( قناة ستار أكاديمي المغرب العربي ) Nessma TV
http://www.staracademy-maghreb.com

- قناة عجمان Ajman TV
http://www.ajmantv.com

- قناة إنفينتي Infinity
http://www.infinitytv.tv

- قناة أي إن بي اللبنانية ANB
http://www.anb-tv.com

- قناة نجوم 2 Nojoom 2
http://www.nojoomtv.com

- قناة الديرة Al Deera TV
http://www.aldeeratv.com

- قناة فواصل Fawasel TV
http://www.fawaseltv.net

- قناة نجوم 4 Nojoom 4
http://www.nojoomtv.com

- قناة بروز Borouz TV
http://www.borouztv.com

- قنوات الجزيرة الرياضية Al Jazeera Sport Channel
http://www.aljazeerasport.com

- قناة الجزيرة للأطفال Al Jazeera Children's Channel
http://www.jcctv.net

- قناة الجزيرة مباشر Al Jazeera Mobasher
http://www.aljazeera.net

- قناة الجزيرة الإخبارية Al Jazeera Channel
http://www.aljazeera.net

- قناة الديار العراقية AldiyarSat
http://www.aldiyarsat.net

- قناة نورمينا الأردنية Nourmina Satellite Channel
http://www.nourmina.tv

- قناة إل بي سي أوربا LBC Europe

http://www.lbcsat.com.lb

- قناة عشتار العراقية Ishtar
http://www.ishtartv.com

- قناة الآن Al Aan TV
http://www.alaan.tv

- قناة صانعو القرار DM TV
http://www.dm-tv.tv

- قناة جونا Jawna
http://www.jawna.tv

- قناة غراس Ghiras TV
http://www.ghirastv.com

- قناة النهرين العراقية Nahrain TV
http://www.imnsr.com

- قناة ليبيا الرياضية Libya Sports Channel (Riadia)
http://www.ljbc.net

- قناة البديل الليبية Al Badeel
http://www.albadeel.tv

- قناة الليبية الرياضية Libya Sport
http://www.ljbc.net

- قناة الليبية Al Libiyah TV
http://www.allibiya.tv

- شبكة قنوات أوربت شوتايم OSN
http://www.osnetwork.com

- قناة مرحبا Marhaba TV
http://www.marhabatv.com

- قناة روتانا أوربا Rotana Europe
http://www.rotanaeurope.net

-aشبكة قنوات النيل NTN
http://www.ertu.org

- قناة المسار العراقية Almasar Satellite
http://www.almasartv.com

- قناة البابلية العراقية Al Babeleyia Sat Channel
http://www.albabeleya.net

- قناة الموصلية العراقية AL Mowseleye TV
http://www.almosullia.com

- قناة العدالة Al-Adalah
http://www.al-adala.com/home.htm

- قناة فاميلي Family TV
http://www.tvfamily.net

- قناة djmusic
http://www.djmusictv.com

Live TV!

On live TV anything can happen!

Iraqi TV After 2003

It is really amazing to find out that there are 28 Iraqi satellite channels exists today. At least this is what I managed to count so far. All these channels were launched after the end of war, and the fall of the Iraqi regime in 2003. The former Iraqi regime used to prohibit the use of a sattelite dish - Anyone caught owning a dish on the roof of his house will face punishment and imprisonment, one of them I heard had such a fate was an old neighbor of mine. The Iraqi government had two ground channels and one official satellite channel. The sattelite channel has been bombed by the US during the last war. I still remember the final images from that channel, particularly, the repetition of a song by young Iraqi singer, Qasim Al Sultan, carrying a golden Klashinkof, standing in the middle of old and young soldiers, and singing for Iraq - after the war there were many romurs that this singer was shot dead for singing that song! After the end of the war, the wave of "independent" channels began with the launch of Alsharqiya TV, a channel made and still managed by Saad Al Bazaz (former head of Iraqi TV and owner of Azzaman newspaper). The channel also sponsored financially by Sheikhs from the United Arab Emirates. When Alsharqiya began broadcasting, it brought a smile on the faces of many Iraqis, especially those living abroad for so many years, because it carried the same spirit Iraqi TV used to have during the 1970 and the 1980s (if I can describe it in such a way correctly).

However, Alsharqiya became one of many channels, when the US government decided to have its own media means in Iraq, by launching AlHurra, which runs on the same frequency the ex-official Iraqi satellite TV used to run on before the fall of the regime. Al Hurra was clearly a CNN but in Arabic, so the effort was put to launch another channel, Al Iraqiya, which became the official TV station for "new Iraq"! With the flow of money coming from all directions into Iraq - regardless of the financiall or political profit can be gained, the number of satellite channels increased rapidly. We have now Al Furat, which is sponsored by Abdel Aziz Al Hakim. There are other Shiite orientated channels, such as Al Zahara, Ahl Al Beet, Karbala and Salam TV. However, other ethnic groups in Iraq decided to follow suit and have their own echo heard through the ether: Some of them were there before the fall of the regime of Saddam, such as Kurdistan TV, and KurdSat - The latter began during the late 1990s advertising late night half naked girls, and a telephone number with Arabic and Kurdish text on top of the screen!

Most of Iraqi channels are trying so hard to be colorful with the variety of shows they broadcast; Al Diyar TV, for example, focuses on domestic issue in Iraq more than anything else. Also, there is Al Fayhaa TV, a channel launched first from the United Arab Emirates after the fall of the regime, and played a big role during the last elections and during the trail of Saddam in the past two years, by broadcasting live interviews and live phonecalls with ordinary Iraqis from around the globe, which I think put the cast of that channel into problems and caused it suddenly to diminish with its popularity later on! Worth noting other TV channels trying so hard to boost their popularity among the wave of Iraqi and Arabic satellite channels, such as Afaq, alsumaria and Baladi. In addition, there are regional satellite channels, such as Salah Il Dien TV, which gives news and information on the activities taking place in that province.

There are some other channels launched with the help of other countries, such as Turkmen TV (with the support of Turkey of this ethnic group), and to ensure the rights of other minorities, other ethnic groups, such as Christians launched their own TV stations, such as Ashur TV, Bet Al Nahrain TV, and Ishtar TV stations, which shed some light on the activities of Iraqis abroad as well as inside the country.

Other channels were directly hostile towards the US troops, such as Al Zawra, did not have anything but low quality fragments of attacks by armed groups against US forces in Iraq, mostly taken from the internet, mainly, and with a news bulletin running horizontally below the screen announcing the latest news and messages coming across on latest "victories against the occupier". The channel used to broadcast from Egypt, and caused some sort of crisis between Egyptian and US government because the latter wanted to close that channel forever. One other TV channel broadcasting from Egypt, known for its use of advanced TV technology is Al Baghdadia TV. This channel remains the center of attention and in my opinion the only one that can compete with Alsharqiya regarding the nature of shows and news update it brings to the viewers.

By the end of 2006, different types of Iraqi channels were launched. The variety which established competition among TV channels pushed some to launch specialized TV channels. We now see Iraqi channels limited to sport events and news, such as Iraq Sport. In addition, music channels showing young men and women never seen before as singers in video clips now can be seen 24 hours a day. One of these music channels called Vinus - I heard that it is broadcasting from the United Arab Emirates.

One might ask the question: does such channels feed the separation of Iraqis taking into the consideration the ethnic and political crisis we have in Iraq? Some argue that this is the consequences of decades of dictatorship, which resulted now in a chaotic atmosphere, even in the media. Others argue that this democracy and every Iraqi have the right to express his opinion and point of view the way he or she sees suitable. But would that enlarge the gap between anarchy and freedom?

No TV!

I couldn't have proper conversation while the TV was on, even when the sound was muted. I switched it off. Afterwards while I was doing some stuff at home I remembered that the TV was still off. I stood in front of that black box and I kept staring at it. I smiled!

More than five years ago my TV set did not work anymore and I couldn't afford buying a new one, so I decided to have some time off from such a luxury, until a friend of mine managed to get it fixed. I remained without a TV for a long time. Friends were surprised "how come someone who is almost addicted to watching movies, news, and music can live that long without watching any TV?" Most of them asked such a question. To have an idea on how I consider the television as a source of information; sometimes I used to stay watching BBC Learning programs almost for the whole night. I enjoyed every bit of it. However, I didn't care more or less, I spent the time listening to the radio, books became again an essential part of my life, and of course browsing the Internet on daily basis, all provided me with the information and knowledge (and fun on many occasions) I needed. After some time, I noticed the change, not only in being enjoying the new status, but also on my friends. One of them told me that my place became like the fortress of solitude. I laughed because of comparing my small apartment with superman's secret home on the Arctic. Another friend in fact envied me for the atmosphere as a whole; dim lights inside, from the outside one could see random spots of light here and there of other apartments from the distance. Sometimes the moon's light just glow with charm through the main big windows in the living room. That sight was not completed without an accompanying sound to it; the music used to be played out almost the whole time from the speakers located in different corners of my apartment... Even when listening to the news, there was something different about it from watching it on TV! It was like giving more value to the event. There was always a book half open and a pen resting on a notepad, all left lying permenantly on the small wooden table between the two leather sofas.

I wondered many times about the delight of the moment... I didn't want to find an explanation! I didn't look for reason!

After the television was fixed, things were back to the way they used to. Do I miss that period with no TV in house? yes, very much! I got used to it, I loved it, in fact! I won't be exaggerating if I say it was magical.

Bab El Hara 2

The final episode of this series in its second part has ended last Saturday. Bab El Hara is really a great series ("Bab" means gate or door in English, and El Hara means Neighborhood, or district)! The title of this series episodes refer to the main gate of a neighborhood in old Damascus, Syria, and the events surrounding the life of the inhabitants of that neighborhood with each other and towards others from nearby neighborhoods. Like millions of Arabs around the world, I was paralyzed on my seat watching this show every night from 9PM onwards - I used to watch it for a second time on another channel at 10PM - it sounds crazy, in the weekend I watched it during the day for a third time sometimes! I can’t recall when was the last time I followed every single episode of an Arabic show. There are many reasons I loved that show; one for sure is simplicity; no gigantic special effects (it is not Star Wars), neither the useless overestimated budget applied on production like many Egyptian drama series in recent years. I also loved mostly the little details on every scene (big salute to the director, Bassam Il Mila), such as the scene when women from the neighborhood as a group visited Suaad; The focus of the scene was on the group of old women with their daughters entering the house and the way they greeted each other after long time no see. It was beautiful to watch small details like young Khairiyah sneaking through the other women and walked exactly behind her mother with a shy smile on her face. There were many other small details I considered adorable while watching Bab El Hara, a gesture, a wave and even a movement by a man or a woman, all were done perfectly. The atmosphere reflecting Damascus in the early 20’s century was so real and believable, from the grocery, rituals of Ramadan, the food, the customs, the alleys in the neighborhood, even love. The relationship between the different characters, old and new captivated the hearts and minds of all.

I don’t know if it was the director who is so smart, or the actors (main and secondary roles) are so perfect and professional, or both? Each character played by each actor was done in thrilling and astonishingly excellent way. It is the first time that I fail to find a point of criticism towards an Arab show ever.

I read that in Arab countries it was like martial laws imposed during the time the show time. The effect on Arabs in Europe was no difference, the majority was glued in front of the television screens waiting to see what will happen to Abu Isam during the period he locked himself up in his shop, or what is the next move by the wicked Firial (Um Taufiek), or how and when the killer of the neighborhood’s leader, Al Za’eem, will be caught and justice prevail… The episode was packed with thrilling events surrounding numerous characters. The influence the show made has reached real life in some Arab countries: I read that young teens on the streets of Lebanon adapted the same terminology and nicknames used in the show, such as calling the brave by the name of “Ageed”, which the nickname of one of the main characters, Abu Shihab, or children shouting in the streets “beleele …” imitating the villain, Abu Ghalib in the series, or some people who exchanged SMS messages wishes each that God protect him from the magic of Um Abdallah (played by the great actress Muna Wassif).

I loved the end, and loved the way the two main actors in the show, Abbas Il Noory (Abu Isam) and Samer Al Masry (Abu Shihab – Ageed) appeared at the end titles wearing suits and without the familiar make up we used to see them on that show – they looked younger, actually more handsome, and with cute sense of humor indicated that part 3 of Bab El Hara might have a lucky woman will be the wife of Abu Shihab.

Perfect Imitation

This is hilarious, an Iraqi artist imitating all Arab actors... enjoy

Don't Bomb Us - A blog by Al Jazeera Staffers

I might be a little bit late in finding this, but it is interesting to know that some employees from Al Jazeera network are blogging.

The link is above, and can also be found here

I am not doing some kind of a propoganda here, I just thought the blog worth some reading.