Abu Dhabi Media Network has announced its Ramadan line-up. It will feature a diverse mix of high-profile Emirati, Egyptian and Syrian dramas, along with compelling documentaries and spiritual programmes.
All shows will be available to stream on the ADtv platform and app.
Further information about which terrestrial channels – including Abu Dhabi TV, Al Emarat and Baynounah TV – will broadcast the shows, and their schedules, will be revealed closer to the first day of Ramadan, which is expected to begin on March 1.
In a quirk of the regional television industry, most channels keep their broadcast times under wraps, only announcing them hours before Ramadan begins to prevent rivals from making last-minute scheduling adjustments. The best advice? Check Abu Dhabi TV’s website closer to the start of the holy month for the latest programming details.
From period dramas set in 19th-century Damascus to the modern world of online gaming and breezy romantic comedies, here are 13 shows to watch on Abu Dhabi TV this Ramadan.
Drama
1. Al Boom 2
One of the most successful Emirati dramas from last Ramadan returns with a follow-up season – continuing the story of Shihab (Omar Al Mulla), an Emirati sailor turned merchant who helped establish one of the Gulf's most significant maritime trade routes during the height of the Second World War. While the first season explored his ventures in Kuwait's pearl trade, the new episodes expand into the tea business in South-east Asia.
2. Taht Al Ard
Set in 1900 Damascus, this historical drama explores the intense rivalries between local merchants. They extend beyond the bazaars into personal and political conflicts. Starring Maxim Khalil, Samer Al Masri, Fayez Kazak and Carmen Lebbos, the series brings to life the power struggles and shifting dynamics of the era.
3. Fahad Al Batal
This gripping Egyptian drama, starring Ahmed Al Awady and Mirna Nour El Din, begins with the murder of a village chief. It follows the victim’s family as they struggle to rebuild their lives away from home before eventually returning to seek justice.
4. Al Ameera
After last year’s hit prison thriller Al Raheel, Egyptian actor Yasmine Sabri returns in Al Ameera as Zeinab Al Ameer – a driven young woman whose life unravels after marrying Osama Al Mahdi, a charismatic lawyer who masks his controlling nature behind his friendly demeanour. When things begin to deteriorate, Zeinab realises she must escape at any cost.
5. Al Ba’ Tahtaha Nuqta
Eman Al Sayyed and Fatima El Hosni star in this sitcom set in the 1980s about three Emirati women who enrol in an adult literacy programme to complete their education. Along the way, they discover more about themselves than they ever expected.
6. Squad
Starring Emirati actors Jumaa Ali and Malak Al Khalidi, the series dives into the high-stakes world of e-sports. It follows a group of teenagers as they chase their dream of winning a global championship, putting their passion and skills to the test. Along the way, the series explores the emotional toll of competition, offering a realistic look at the fast-growing sport.
7. Shaghab
An expansive Emirati drama with a large ensemble cast, this series explores the lives of multiple families as they navigate daily pressures while preserving local traditions, customs and heritage. Featuring renowned Emirati actors, such as Habib Ghuloom, Marwan Abdullah Saleh, and Haifa Hussein, the series offers an intimate look at the balance between modern life and cultural identity.
8. Joudar 2
Inspired by One Thousand and One Nights, the second season of this Egyptian fantasy series, starring Yasser Galal and Yasmin Raees, follows the imprisoned Shahrazad as she enchants King Shahrayar with her tales, transforming him from a vengeful ruler into a man captivated by the power of storytelling.
Comedy
9. Wesh Saad
The Emirati-Egyptian comedy series, starring Ahmed Saleh and Ayten Amer, follows a wealthy Emirati businessman who, after an accident in Egypt, finds himself in a working-class neighbourhood. Keeping his identity a secret, he unexpectedly embraces a simpler, more fulfilling life.
10. Shehadat Moamlaet Atfal
Egyptian comedian Mohamed Henedy stars as a successful lawyer whose career is cut short after a near-fatal car accident. Waking up from a coma 20 years later, he finds himself in a completely transformed, high-tech world, leading to a series of hilarious challenges and misadventures.
Lifestyle and spiritual programmes
11. Al Shara
Ramadan TV would not be complete without a nightly game show. Al Shara returns to test your knowledge of Emirati culture with questions based on local crafts, proverbs, dialects and key moments in history.
12. Ahl Al Ataa
Ramadan is a time for healing broken bonds, and this Emirati documentary series follows individuals facing personal hardships. With the support of relevant organisations, they find their way back on their feet, reconnecting with their families and reintegrating into society.
13. Al Imam Al Tayyeb
Dr Ahmad El Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, hosts this daily spiritual show in which he details the various lessons and insights Muslims can learn during Ramadan and beyond.
Fixtures
Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs
Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms
Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles
Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon
Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon
What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.
It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.
But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Ferrari
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Squads
Sri Lanka Tharanga (c), Mathews, Dickwella (wk), Gunathilaka, Mendis, Kapugedera, Siriwardana, Pushpakumara, Dananjaya, Sandakan, Perera, Hasaranga, Malinga, Chameera, Fernando.
India Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rohit, Rahul, Pandey, Rahane, Jadhav, Dhoni (wk), Pandya, Axar, Kuldeep, Chahal, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Thakur.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
'Shakuntala Devi'
Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra
Director: Anu Menon
Rating: Three out of five stars
