The main guy on Senawat al-Dayaa is more the traditional model of a romantic hero in Arabic soaps – serious, manly, good moustache. A lot of girls come out on either side of the issue, whether they prefer him or a Mohannad-type.

Who’s going to be watching Bab al-Hara? There’s some Arab Arab production for ya!

That’s an argument I have almost every evening with my sister, as we negotiate over control of the only TV in the house (while my father in the background reminds us of the corruptive influence of foreign soaps and exhorts us to watch something more beneficial – namely Al Jazeera).

The reason my sister’s enchantment with the show is the insight it provides into Turkey and the different model it presents for Muslim women and socieities (or as she puts it “They’re Muslim…but they’re not Muslim”).

It’s frustrating that Arab production companies are willing to spend a lot of time, effort and money importing soaps and dubbing them (years ago, it used to be Mexican ones and I’ve even seen Japanese shows being dubbed to Arabic) while the state of media production in the Arab world is in need of improvement.

Although granted, they do provide an opportunity to portray issues widely regarded as taboos (somehow the fact that they aren’t Arabs and/or Muslims makes it more acceptable).

Great and insightful post, Ethar!

YEAH! News stories making that point infantilize these women, like they’re not capable of putting on their own clothes unless someone on Sesame Street shows them how!