Iftah Ya Simsim facts for kids

Iftah Ya Simsim (افتح يا سمسم; meaning "Open Sesame") is a famous children's TV show from the Arab world. It was the first international version of the American show Sesame Street. The show first aired in Kuwait on September 14, 1979. It was shown in 22 Arabic-speaking countries until June 23, 1989. Even after it stopped airing, many people still remembered and loved the program.

In 1978, teachers, media experts, and social planners decided to use Sesame Street to help with low school attendance and illiteracy in the region. They bought the rights from the Children's Television Workshop (CTW) for US$2.5 million to create an Arab version. Just a few months after it started, Iftah Ya Simsim became one of the most popular children's shows in many Arab countries. Experts called it a very successful team effort by educators and artists from the Middle East. Studies showed that children learned a lot from watching it.

In 2010, people started working to bring the show back for a new generation. In late 2013, writers and producers learned about the show's teaching methods in New York. The new Iftah Ya Simsim started filming in March 2014 and first aired on September 1, 2015. Today, the show is a team effort between the Abu Dhabi Education Council, Twofour54, the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, and Bidaya Media.

How the Show Started

After Sesame Street began in the US in 1969, many countries wanted to make their own versions. Joan Ganz Cooney, one of the creators, was surprised. She thought the show and its Muppets were only American. But it turned out the Muppets were loved all over the world!

Sesame Street co-creator Joan Ganz Cooney in 1985. She was surprised other countries wanted their own versions of the show.

By 2006, there were 20 active versions of Sesame Street around the world. In 2009, for the show's 40th birthday, it was seen in over 140 countries. Experts said that the Children's Television Workshop (CTW) was the biggest informal teacher for young children globally. Studies showed that children who watched these shows learned important basic skills.

In 1980, a study in Kuwait showed that many people couldn't read or write well. This affected their children's learning. Also, only a small number of young children in the Arab world went to preschool, even when it was free. Girls often attended school less than boys.

In 1976, experts met to discuss preschool education in the Arab region. They decided that Sesame Street was a good and affordable way to help. With money from the Arab Gulf States Joint Program Production Institution, they started to create an Arab version for Kuwait and the wider Arab world. This show, Iftah Ya Simsim, started in 1979 and ran until 1989. It stopped because of the Gulf War. It was shown in 22 Arab countries and remained famous for decades. In 2010, the Sesame Workshop and the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS) decided to bring the show back.

Making the Original Show

Iftah Ya Simsim was the first educational TV show for children in the Arab world. It was also the first Sesame Street show in the region to use Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Its creation was similar to how the American Sesame Street was made.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) wanted to create their own unique version, not just a dubbed one. They set up the Joint Program Production Institute (JPPI) to work with the CTW. The JPPI team went to New York to buy the rights for US$2.5 million. They planned to make 130 episodes, each 30 minutes long. They also brought in experts from across the Arab world to create a curriculum that taught Arab values and culture.

The show's production had three main steps:

• Step 1: Research They studied what basic education children under six needed.
• Step 2: Pilot Test They made a test episode to see how children reacted. Teachers, sociologists, and psychologists reviewed it.
• Step 3: Filming After testing and reviews, the series was filmed and aired.

Research began in August 1977. The team included a teacher, a language expert, and a psychologist from Kuwait University. They tested the show on children aged three to six in different cities. Based on their research, they set ten main learning goals for the show.

Iftah Ya Simsim taught children about science and how technology affects society. It helped them learn about their surroundings and improve their thinking skills, including math and shapes. The show also taught about Arab history by showing important places like castles. Geography was important, helping children learn about countries, cities, and capitals. This also made children feel proud of their Arab heritage. The show also focused on social awareness, helping children understand different roles in society.

Unlike the American show, Iftah Ya Simsim also included spirituality. This was because religion is very important in Arab culture. The show taught children about Islamic principles, good manners, and values like honesty, respect for parents, and loyalty. It aimed to help children build strong family relationships and learn about cooperation, love, and justice.

The creators wanted to teach children about the Arabic language and its alphabet. Research showed that 90% of Arab children understood Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), so it was chosen as the show's language. The show used specific parts of MSA, even if they were not common in everyday speech. They tried to avoid some complex grammar. Children on the show made few grammar mistakes, and their conversations felt natural.

New Muppets were created for the show, inspired by Arab traditions like shadow puppets. Some characters from the American show were given Arabic names:

• Cookie Monster became Kaaki
• Bert and Ernie became Bader and Anees
• Grover became Gharghour
• Kermit became Kamil
• The Count kept his special laugh and accent when speaking Arabic.

New characters were also created:

• Nu'man (نُعمان): A camel from Arabic history.
• Malsoon (َْمَلْسون): A green and yellow parrot.
• Yagut: A lavender monster with a long nose.
• Abla: A large purple cat with a ribbon.

The show celebrated Arab heritage, including wedding traditions, poems, and songs. Iftah Ya Simsim started in Kuwait in September 1979 and was shown in all Arabic-speaking countries except Egypt. The opening song was very popular. It showed children from across the Arab world running past famous landmarks like the Pyramids and playing before entering a white fort. The show's set was a traditional Arab neighborhood called Sharee Eshreen (20th Street).

Show's Impact and Popularity

Iftah Ya Simsim quickly became one of the most popular children's shows in many Arab countries. Critics called it a very successful team effort by educators and artists. Many fans still felt nostalgic for the show, even watching reruns in the 1990s. Some say no other Arabic children's show was as popular or important in the Middle East in the 1980s. It offered a new way of learning that was rare at the time.

The show led to many studies and university projects. In 1981, the JPPI invited children to Kuwait to see how they learned from the program. Experts found that most viewers benefited. Parents said their children's language skills improved. The JPPI received many thank-you letters. One study in 1984 found that things like family income, parents' education, and family attitudes affected how often children watched the show.

Another study in 1995 looked at how Iftah Ya Simsim affected children in Baghdad. It found that 85% of children there watched the show. They loved the characters, who helped them hear different accents from the region. The most popular parts were cartoons, songs, and puppets. Children who watched the show showed better understanding and knowledge in all areas, especially about their social and natural world.

Bringing the Show Back

In 2010, the Sesame Workshop and the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS) started talking about bringing Iftah Ya Simsim back. They knew how much people loved the show. It took two years to plan and prepare, just like for the original show. They signed an agreement to bring it back with new content for today's children.

The Mubadala Development Company helped fund the show. Bidaya Media was chosen to produce it. In 2013, the company was based at Twofour54 in the United Arab Emirates. Many organizations supported the show. Feras Al-Maddah, a representative for the show, said it was a team effort between public and private groups.

Map of the Middle East, where Iftah Ya Simsim was shown.

In 2011, a meeting was held to design the new show's curriculum. Over 80 education and media experts attended. They thought about how education had changed in 20 years. They wanted to encourage creativity and provide new learning tools for children. The meeting suggested creating an advisory council of experts and using new media like online content. They also thought about having famous Arab guests on the show, just like the American version.

Other topics chosen for the new show included Arab culture, getting ready for school, health, and girls' education. They decided to use Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) again. Many felt it was even more important now to expose children to the Arabic language. Abdulla Al Sharhan, the show's creative director, said, "We are losing our language, and so through Iftah Ya Simsim, we can revive the language in such a way that a child learns proper Arabic in a fun way."

Before the new show even aired, four characters from the original toured the region. They taught children and families about road safety. The cast and crew also took breaks from filming to meet their young viewers. Books, DVDs, CDs, online materials, and programs for children, parents, and teachers were created.

In late 2013, 15 writers and producers from Bidaya Media trained with the American show's staff in New York. Auditions for the new show took place in April 2014. They looked for performers who could do puppetry, voice acting, singing, and movement. Seven puppeteers were chosen after ten days of special training. The new show was important because it encouraged people in the UAE and other Arab countries to get involved in filmmaking. It also focused on local Arabic content to educate future generations.

The Show Returns

After 25 years, Iftah Ya Simsim returned in September 2015. It was shown on nine regional TV stations. The show was expected to reach 45 million viewers. It was a team effort between the Abu Dhabi Education Council, twofour54, the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, and Bidaya Media. Besides TV, the show connected with fans on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. The new show focused on regional traditions, culture, values, and manners, with characters speaking classical Arabic.

The beloved characters No'man the camel and Melsoon the bird returned. New Muppets joined them:

• Shams: A quick-witted 6-year-old girl who loves to express herself.
• Gargour: A cute character who brings fun and a unique view of the world.

The first season's puppeteers included Abdullah Kassem, Asma Alshamsi, Natheer Khawaldeh, Maher Mozawak, Noura Sadaka, and Michel Jabali. Actors Abdulla Rafa (as Rashid) and Fatma Al Taei (as Amal) also appeared. The show's educational content was guided by an advisory committee and the ABEGS.

In 2017, the show launched a special 12-minute version for the month of Ramadan. These 30 episodes featured segments like Super Grover 2.0, Elmo's Game Show, and Cookie's Crumby Pictures.

In February 2017, Bidaya Media started making season two. Two new Muppets joined the cast: Ka'aki (Cookie Monster) and Elmo. Ammar Sabban became the puppeteer for Gargour and Ka'aki. Abdullah Rafa also joined to play Elmo. The third and final season premiered in May 2019 with 52 episodes.

Ahlan Simsim

Ahlan Simsim (meaning "Welcome Sesame") is another Arabic version of Sesame Street. It first aired on February 2, 2020, on MBC 3.

This series has three new Muppet characters: Basma, Jad, and Ma'zooza. It also includes local versions of Gargur (Grover), Kaaki (Cookie Monster), and Elmo from Iftah Ya Simsim.

Episodes

Series overview

Appearances

• On April 27, 2020, segments with Basma and Jad from Ahlan Simsim were shown on other international Sesame Street shows. These included versions in Mexico (Azteca 7) and South Africa (SABC 2).