JEDDAH: Like every year, satellite channels consider the holy month of Ramadan a season to promote soap operas and other entertainment programs that are especially made for this time of the year.
According to a local newspaper, there are 157 serials being aired during Ramadan, which is 75 percent of the total number of such programs aired in a year.
Reem Mohammed, a 27-year-old resident of Jeddah, said she watches between seven to nine serials a day.
“All the serials I am watching this Ramadan are the Egyptian ones. I don’t like to watch Syrian serial like Bab Al-Hara or Kuwaiti serial like Shar Al-Nufoos,” said Reem.
Though she is keeping herself busy with serials, Reem manages to pray Taraweeh and read the Holy Qur’an.
On the other hand, Doha Turki, a housewife and a mother of three, enjoys watching Egyptian serials more than others. However, Turki said this year she was not watching as many serials as she used to be.
“I started a small home business this year so I am busy. I am watching only four serials this year,” she said, adding that with her busy schedule she managed to finish six parts from the Qur’an.
Just like every year, Islamic scholars and preachers open fire on Ramadan’s serials and television shows. Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, the Kingdom’s grand mufti, has described these serials “malicious” and advised people to shun them.
Lama Yaseen, 27, believes watching serials is a waste of time.
“I have not seen any interesting show over the past several years. All themes are repetitive and they have nothing new to offer,” she said.
