Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Soap Opera signals thirst in Muslim world

Some of the characters on "Noor," a hugely popular Turkish Television Soap Opera

Turkish Soap Opera Championing Equality for Women
-Karin Laub & Dalia Nammari

Every evening, tall, blue-eyed Mohannad, hero of the hugely popular Turkish TV soap "Noor," has been stealing hearts across the Middle East. He's romantic, attentive to his wife, Noor, supportive of her independence and ambitions as a fashion designer - in short, a rare gem for women in conservative, male-dominated surroundings.

"Noor" delivers an idealized portrayal of modern married life as equal partnership - clashing with the norms of traditional Middle Eastern societies where elders often have the final word on whom a woman should marry.

In Saudi Arabia, about three to four million people watch daily.
In the West Bank and Gaza, streets are deserted during show time.
(AP)


Saudi Grand Mufti Condemns Soap Opera -Hassna'a Mokhtar

The grand mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Asheikh, has condemned Turkish soap operas, which have charmed millions of people across the Arab world, and prohibited people from watching them.
(Arab News-Saudi Arabia)

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