The muppets of Sesame Street are banding together in Jordan once again to teach children how to manage their feelings of frustration, and cope with the uncertainties brought about by the pandemic.
Dubbed Ahlan Simsim, the show is aimed at children aged three to eight and features many of the original show's beloved characters, including Elmo, the Cookie Monster (Ka'aki) and Grover (Gargur).
The show, which was created by the team behind Iftah Ya Simsim and Sesame Street, is now in its second season and premiered on MBC3 on Sunday, August 30. It can also be watched on the Ahlan Simsim YouTube channel.
The new season follows Basma, a furry purple muppet, and Jad, a fuzzy yellow muppet as they sing and learn with their muppet friends. Season two has incorporated a video play date format, reflecting the way many families are staying connected during the pandemic.
The activities featured across the season’s 26 episodes aim to shape socio-emotional skills, as well as help children navigate the unfamiliar circumstances brought about by the pandemic. The season has also integrated new ‘Number of the Day’ and ‘Word of the Day’ segments.
"We designed season two to reflect the realities that young children and families are experiencing today, with new virtual play dates and storylines with strategies and activities that families can do together at home," Khaled Haddad, executive producer of Ahlan Simsim, said. "Just when we need them more than ever, the muppets of Ahlan Simsim are back to bring early education, comfort and joy to children across the region."
Ahlan Simsim is produced in Amman by the Jordan Pioneers production company. The team behind the show includes writers, producers and performers from across the Middle East and North Africa. The Sesame Workshop – the non-profit educational organisation behind Sesame Street – said Ahlan Simsim is "grounded in research and with input from local early childhood development experts" and "tailored to meet the unique educational needs of young children while celebrating the rich diversity of the Mena region."
In its first season, which premiered in February, Ahlan Simsim focused on teaching children, particularly refugees, how to cope with trauma related to displacement. The programme was created in partnership between Sesame Workshop and the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The series came about after Sesame Workshop received a $100 million (Dh367 million) grant by the John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation in 2017. The grant aimed to help the workshop reach the millions of displaced children in the region with educational resources including storybooks and games.
The show is not the first Arabic-language program from the world of Sesame Street. Children from the region have been learning from the muppets for more than four decades, beginning with Iftah Ya Simsim, which premiered in Kuwait in 1979.
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The biog
Occupation: Key marker and auto electrician
Hometown: Ghazala, Syria
Date of arrival in Abu Dhabi: May 15, 1978
Family: 11 siblings, a wife, three sons and one daughter
Favourite place in UAE: Abu Dhabi
Favourite hobby: I like to do a mix of things, like listening to poetry for example.
Favourite Syrian artist: Sabah Fakhri, a tenor from Aleppo
Favourite food: fresh fish
Playing records of the top 10 in 2017
How many games the top 10 have undertaken in the 2017 ATP season
1. Rafael Nadal 58 (49-9)
2. Andy Murray 35 (25-10)
3. Roger Federer 38 (35-3)
4. Stan Wawrinka 37 (26-11)
5. Novak Djokovic 40 (32-8)
6. Alexander Zverev 60 (46-14)
7. Marin Cilic 43 (29-14)
8. Dominic Thiem 60 (41-19)
9. Grigor Dimitrov 48 (34-14)
10. Kei Nishikori 43 (30-13)
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
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- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
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The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
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Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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