Musalsalat, Syrian dramatic miniseries, have long been a medium for bold socio-political commentary in the Middle East.
This tradition began in the theatre, spearheaded by figures such as Syrian playwright Saadallah Wannous, who wrote and produced dozens of daring plays that were often controversial. His works tackled themes of revolution, regime change and sexuality in Damascus. Many of his plays were banned in neighbouring cities such as Beirut but performed in the Syrian capital, where Wannous was tolerated despite his provocative politics.
In fact, political commentary and dark comedy on stage were common features of the Damascene theatre scene during the 1980s. I was too young to remember, but at that time my mother took me to see my father on stage in Damascus, where he was part of a Syrian, Lebanese and Iraqi theatre collective that specialised in dark comedies.
This tradition of political and social critique transitioned to the small screen in the 1970s and 1980s. Syrian musalsalat gradually came to dominate Arab television for nearly 25 years, until the Syrian uprising of 2011, which escalated into a civil war and abruptly halted independent production companies operating in the region. That didn't mean the end of Syrian musalsalat. Despite the war and the shrinking of independent production houses in Syria, many actors, directors and producers relocated to Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia or even Hollywood, in the case of Ghassan Massoud.
As the war rumbled on, many of the Syrian-majority dramas were produced in neighbouring Lebanon, and focused their subject matter away from sociopolitical commentary. Instead they focused on crime-related themes such as gangs, terrorism or drug smuggling, as seen in the two series of Breaking Bones (Kaser Adem). This year's Ramadan television offers a broader a mix of topics: Layali Roxy, for example, is a period drama set in 1920s French-occupation Syria, and Taht Al Ard is set in the 1990s Damascus merchant markets.
Remarkably quick off the mark was Syrian series Habaq. In February, a trailer was released for the drama, which showed the fall of Bashar Al Assad and included live TV footage of Syrian rebel groups, led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, seizing key cities and advancing across the country.
I’m confident that one day the air will be clean and the nation will be filled with trees. I won’t live to see that day, but the baby will.
Khaled Taja in On the Edge of the Abyss
In recent months, with the sudden collapse of the Assad regime, many of Syria’s prominent actors have resurfaced. This was particularly evident at the Joy Awards in Riyadh in January. Several Syrian TV stars from the golden era of musalsalat attended the awards, highlighting the enduring influence of Syrian drama. A lifetime achievement award was given to Yasser Al Azma, a Syrian actor and writer whose beloved comedy series Maraya (Mirrors) satirised a wide array of issues affecting Syrian and Arab societies.
In Assad-free Syria, social media has been flooded with audio clips and reposted scenes from popular Syrian dramas from the past. These series that challenged injustice, despair and conflict are finding a new audience in light of regime change and an uncertain future for Syria. People are also finding comfort in the nostalgia of old, familiar clips.
One actor who has become a symbol of this nostalgia is Khaled Taja, a Syrian actor of Kurdish descent who appeared in more than 62 TV series during his lifetime. He was dubbed the “Anthony Quinn of the Arabs” by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, referencing the Golden Age US actor. In the days and weeks following Assad's sudden fall from power in December, Syrian social media was flooded with posts containing his quotes and audio clips.
Often portrayed as the wise old protagonist in various musalsalat, Taja, who died in 2012, left a lasting impression on Syrians with cautionary, hopeful and revolutionary lines that often challenged structures of power and personal struggles.
One of his most poignant performances and quotes that was shared thousands of times across social media comes from the 2007 series On the Edge of the Abyss, in which Taja’s character meets a young mother on a park bench. Over several days, they engage in deep conversations about life, society, and loss. In one widely shared clip, he says in Arabic: “I’m confident that one day the air will be clean and the nation will be filled with trees. I won’t live to see that day, but Fareed [the baby] will, without a doubt. When he grows up, tell him there was someone called Waseem who was confident that this nation will still be blessed, that they will plant trees, and that there will be water enough for everyone.”
Series such as Maraya shaped my childhood like Friends did for others around the world. My parents would mark their calendars with Maraya’s new series launches, particularly around Ramadan. While it may be too early to see new series emerge in post-Assad Syria, one thing is sure: Syrians have many untold stories. Many of these will be painful, but fortunately for Syria and the Arab world, Syrians have a long history of transforming their pain, humiliation and frustration into gripping, often boundary-pushing and entertaining art. Like the late, great Taja did through his art, they will keep sharing messages of hope and endurance.
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
The five pillars of Islam
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
About Seez
Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017
Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer
Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon
Sector: Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing
Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed
Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series A
Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
MATCH INFO
What: India v Afghanistan, first Test
When: Starts Thursday
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengalaru
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
MO
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Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
UAE squad v Australia
Rohan Mustafa (C), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Fahad Nawaz, Amjed Gul, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Muhammad Naveed, Amir Hayat, Ghulam Shabir (WK), Qadeer Ahmed, Tahir Latif, Zahoor Khan
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ELECTION%20RESULTS
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Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
More on Quran memorisation:
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
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The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
DMZ facts
- The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
- It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
- The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
- It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
- Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
- Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
- Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012.
- Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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FIGHT%20CARD
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Company%20Profile
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
