The watch list: Ramadan TV highlights

One of Saudi Arabia’s biggest stars, Nasser Al-Qasabi, is back with this comedy (“Exit 7”). (Supplied)
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Updated 27 April 2020
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The watch list: Ramadan TV highlights

  • Pranks, military dramas, and social satires: These are the shows we’ll be talking about this Holy Month 

DUBAI: Ramdan is traditionally the biggest season of the year for Arabic television shows. And with an even larger captive audience than usual this year, the region’s top networks are eager to attract viewers with quality content and A-list actors.

No season comes without controversy of course, and for 2020, it will be interesting to see how Hayat Al Fahd’s drama, “Um Haroon” will perform, following her very public outburst on a TV segment, calling for expatriates to be expelled from Kuwait.

And a number of hotly anticipated productions have been forced to suspend filming because of the COVID-19 pandemic, including Haifa Wehbe’s “Aswad Fateh” and Cyrine Abdelnour’s “Dantelle.” 

However, Abdelnour fans will be pleased to learn that she has bagged a last-minute gig with MBC – more details below.

‘MAKHRAJ 7’

Genre: Comedy

One of Saudi Arabia’s biggest stars, Nasser Al-Qasabi, is back with this comedy (“Exit 7”) in which he plays a humble government clerk working in the complaints department. Touching upon recent events in the Kingdom — there’s even a promo trailer online that explains the current lockdown, advising people to stay at home — the show features a whole host of big names from the GCC’s world of comedy.

Where: MBC1

‘AL EKHTEYAR’

Genre: Drama

Probably the most-anticipated title to come out of Egypt this year, “Al Ekhteyar” is the true life account of Egyptian army colonel and hero, Ahmed Al-Mansi, commander of the Thunderbolt Forces, who lost his life in a terrorist attack in Rafah, North Sinai, in 2017. It stars Amir Karara in the lead role, alongside Ahmad Al-Awady, Dina Fouad, Sarah Adel, and Ashraf Meslehi. Its trailer alone, released at the start of April, garnered over one million views on YouTube.

Where: ART, MBC1, ON E

‘EL FUTOWA’

Genre: Drama

His last series, “Rahim,” did phenomenally well and this year Yasser Galal (yup, Ramez’s brother, see below) returns with another drama. This one tells the story of rival gangs vying for power in a deprived neighborhood. The gang leaders bear responsibility for their people — but can these sworn enemies ever join forces for the sake of others?
Where: AlHayah, OSN Yahala Al Oula

‘RAMEZ MAGNOUN RASMY’ 

Genre: Hidden camera pranks

Every year, we say we’re not going to watch Ramez Galal’s hidden camera show in which he “pranks” some of the biggest stars from the world of entertainment, sport and media. But then one notable episode airs (Shah Rukh Khan in 2017, anyone?), everyone starts talking about it, and, just like that, we’re sucked into the whole series. 

It’s no secret that the “unsuspecting” celebs know that they’re appearing on the show — remember when details of Paris Hilton’s contract were leaked online? — but rumor has it they’re not in on the full details of the prank. Quite frankly, we’re not sure how Galal has any celeb friends anymore. One question remains; just who is he going to fool this year?

Where: MBC1

‘FORSA TANYA’

Genre: Drama

Could her real-life marriage to Egyptian entrepreneur slash millionaire, Ahmed Abou Hashima *be* more perfectly timed? This Ramadan sees Yasmine Sabri star in “Forsa Tanya” (Second Chance) as Malak, a successful engineer who is not so lucky in love. So not lucky, that it turns out she might have a stalker. How will she handle the events that follow?

Where: ART, MBC Drama, ON E

‘VALENTINO’

Genre: Comedy

While Adel Imam’s comedy splits opinion (it’s very much a love-it-or-loathe-it deal), there’s no denying his popularity with TV commissioners. He’s become a Ramadan fixture. This year, he stars in “Valentino” alongside Dalal Abdel Aziz. Imam plays Nour Abdel Majid — aka Valentino — a professor who runs a franchise of private schools alongside his wife, Afaf. 

Whilst Afaf is quite strict, Nour is more mischievous, as his nickname suggests.

Where: DMC, MBC1, OSN Yahala Al Oula

‘EL-PRINCE’

Genre: Drama

There’s no one quite as divisive as Egyptian actor Mohamed Ramadan at the moment, with the majority of the public either stanning hard for him or despising his personal antics. His TV dramas inevitably do well, however, and this year he plays Radwan El-Prince, who is left to take care of his family following the death of his parents. It’s another collaboration between Ramadan and director Mohammad Sami, following their work together in 2016 hit “Al Ostoura.” Nour also stars.

Where: MBC1, OSN Yahala Al Oula

‘BE MEET WESH’

Genre: Comedy

This will be interesting. Not least because it features Nelly Karim in a very different role to what we’re used to. She aces drama, and has numerous TV hits under her belt, so how will she fare in this comedy, co-starring alongside Asser Yassin? The trailers haven’t given much away, but “Be Meet Wesh” (With 100 Faces) sees the pair playing a couple of con artists who — you guessed it — pose as multiple characters to pull off their heists.

Where: AlHayah, Dubai TV, OSN Yahala Al Oula

‘AL NAHAT’

Genre: Drama, mystery

Bassel Khayyat is Yaman (aka “Al Nahat” — or ‘The Sculptor’), a university art teacher who loves nothing more than perusing antique stores. During one of his visits, he comes across a photo album. While flicking through it, he finds images that leave him shocked and confused. What ensues is a mystery in which Yaman attempts to uncover the stories of several interconnected characters. 

Where: Abu Dhabi TV, OSN Yahala Al Oula

‘SAHRANEEN MA3AKOM BEL BAIT’

Genre: Talk/variety show

MBC has introduced this talk/variety-style show (“Staying Up With You at Home”) at the very last minute. Fronted by Cyrine Abdelnour (fans, rejoice!) and Ahmed Fahmi, the show will feature segments from studios in Beirut and Riyadh, but replacing the traditional Arab talk-show format — featuring guests in the studio with a live audience — will be interviews from the homes of the Arab world’s top celebs and other personalities.  

Where: MBC1


Em Sherif Art Foundation reimagines global restaurants as cultural hubs

Updated 29 June 2025
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Em Sherif Art Foundation reimagines global restaurants as cultural hubs

DUBAI: With 24 outposts around the world, the minds behind Lebanese restaurant Em Sherif are keenly aware of their responsibility when it comes to sharing the country’s culinary culture with international audiences.

Now, they are taking things one step further with the launch of the Em Sherif Art Foundation that aims to provide increased visibility for artists through restaurants — in Doha, Monaco, London, Paris and Dubai, among other cities — which are being reimagined as cultural hubs.

Earlier this year, the Em Sherif Cafe in Paris showcased the work of Lebanese photographer Ziad Antar, and part of the initiative sees diners at all Em Sherif locations presented with three menus — a food menu, a drinks menu and an art menu — inviting guests to engage with the evolving story of contemporary Lebanese art.

'Kiev' (2024) by Ziad Antar at Em Sherif Cafe in Paris. (Supplied)

Em Sherif CEO and co-founder of the art foundation, Dani Chakour, spoke to Arab News about the cultural initiative.

“The art menu is not intended for commercial or financial purposes. Rather, it serves as a curated catalogue that showcases the artworks currently on display,” he said.

The decision to focus exclusively on Lebanese artists was intentional, Chakour added.

'Potato Portraits' (2025) by Ziad Antar at Em Sherif Cafe in  Paris. (Supplied)

“In Lebanon, it is often the private sector that drives meaningful cultural and artistic initiatives, as government support for the arts remains limited. Through this foundation, we aim to be an added value for our artists, helping them gain the visibility and recognition they deserve on a global scale.

“We need active public-sector involvement: We need more art fairs, modern infrastructure, supportive tariffs and dedicated museums. Without this foundational support, our artists will continue to be overlooked, despite their remarkable talent,” he said.

Chakour, who has a personal collection of more than 600 artworks, spotlighted celebrated names in the international art industry who he says benefited from working abroad.

“Huguette Caland, Gibran Khalil Gibran, Etel Adnan, Mona Hatoum, Walid Raad, Yvette Ashkar, Amin Maalouf, they are some of Lebanon’s most celebrated names. But what do they all have in common? They each spent the majority of their careers abroad, in environments that offered the right ecosystems … this is not a reflection of a lack of talent in Lebanon. On the contrary, it’s a reflection of what’s missing structurally; the institutional support, the infrastructure, the public funding, the museums, the cultural policies and the global exposure.

“At Em Sherif Art Foundation, we’re driven by a mission to help bridge that gap — to create opportunities within and beyond Lebanon so that our artists don’t need to leave home in order to rise,” Chakour said, noting that showcases by artists Christine Safa, Willy Aractengi, Ayman Baalbaki, Hussein Madi and Bibi Zogbe will be hosted in the coming months.


Palestinian solidarity takes center stage at Glastonbury

Updated 29 June 2025
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Palestinian solidarity takes center stage at Glastonbury

DUBAI: Glastonbury Festival 2025 is making headlines not just for its music, but for the powerful pro-Palestinian messages echoing across its stages and crowds.

Irish rap group Kneecap drew one of the festival’s largest crowds at the West Holts Stage. Dozens of Palestinian flags flew in the crowd as the show opened with an audio montage of news clips referring to the band’s critics and legal woes.

Mo Chara of Irish rap group Kneecap wearing a keffiyeh at Glastonbury festival. (AFP)

Between high-energy numbers that had fans forming a large mosh pit, the band members — sporting keffiyehs — led the audience in chants of “Free Palestine” and “Free Mo Chara.” They also aimed an expletive-laden chant at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has said he didn’t think it was “appropriate” for Kneecap to play Glastonbury.

One member wore a T-shirt emblazoned with “We Are All Palestine Action,” referencing the direct-action network that targets arms factories supplying Israel.

Earlier that day, punk duo Bob Vylan also stirred controversy with a performance that included the chant “Death to the IDF.” The statement has prompted a police investigation and sparked a broader debate over the limits of free speech in live performance.

Across the festival, Palestinian flags were visible in every direction — raised by artists, waved in the crowd, and printed on T-shirts and posters. Activist installations, including a projection mapping Gaza’s destruction, drew foot traffic near the Apocalypse Museum area, while several artists circulated an open letter calling for an immediate ceasefire.


Amira Al-Zuhair walks for AWGE in Paris

Updated 29 June 2025
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Amira Al-Zuhair walks for AWGE in Paris

DUBAI/PARIS: Saudi French model Amira Al-Zuhair hit the runway at the AWGE show as part of Paris Men's Fashion Week.

The 24-year-old model showed off an ensemble featuring a trench coat  layered over a white vest and tartan-style miniskirt by A$AP Rocky’s label.

Amira Al-Zuhair hit the runway at the AWGE show. (Getty Images)

Rapper-designer A$AP Rocky’s second fashion show was attended by his long-term partner Rihanna, who sat front row with their son Riot. His sophomore collection, titled “Obligatory Clothing,” was just (about) how you take the simple uniform or the purpose of a uniform, and how people correlate that to profession, lifestyle and everything,” Rocky said after the show, according to WWD.

The show was a riot of color, with its precision tailoring praised by a number of fashion critics.

Rihanna sat front row with her son Riot. (Getty Images)

It came as colors ran wild and silhouettes softened at Paris Men's Fashion Week, which ended Sunday, as designers brought a rare breath of fresh air to a gloomy fashion climate.

Despite the economic turbulence affecting the luxury sector, this Fashion Week was a “shot of creativity that felt incredibly good,” Alice Feillard, men's buying director at Galeries Lafayette, told AFP.

The Spring/Summer 2026 season “is much more creative than the previous ones, which were a bit duller”, said Adrien Communier, the fashion editor at GQ France.

Both experts observed a more relaxed vibe, with Feillard pointing to “good humor” and “optimism,” while Communier noted a “lighter mood.”

“With so many debuts, there was a sense of renewal. And so, I found that people were more curious,” he added.

After a notable women's show in March, Julian Klausner made waves Thursday with his first menswear show for Dries Van Noten, while Jonathan Anderson's long-awaited debut at Dior drew applause on Friday.

A renewed burst of creativity lit up the runways, most visibly through bold color choices. Brown tones and pastels made way for a richer, more saturated palette for next summer.

Saint Laurent opened the week with violet, navy, orange and moss green, while Pharrell Williams at Louis Vuitton channeled Indian motifs and hues.

Dries Van Noten made a splash with bold fuchsia and blood red, while Kenzo exploded with candy pink, aquatic blue and chick yellow.

 


Hourglass Cosmetics expands into Saudi Arabia with vegan, purpose-driven line

Updated 28 June 2025
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Hourglass Cosmetics expands into Saudi Arabia with vegan, purpose-driven line

DUBAI: A little while ago, I attended a masterclass for Hourglass Cosmetics in Dubai. As someone who does not wear much makeup — I do not own foundation or even basic tools — I was curious to see whether this much-talked-about brand could change my mind. 

As the class unfolded and the makeup artist demonstrated how to create their signature “dewy” look, I wondered: Is this brand for someone like me? After the session, I browsed the range, got shade-matched, and tested a few brushes. A few days later, I received a curated selection of cult favourites: the Airbrush Primer, Skin Tint, a clump-free mascara, a richly pigmented liquid blush, a volumising glossy balm, and other treats.

I decided to put it all to the test. The results surprised me. I did not look overly made up — my sun spots were still visible beneath the tint — but my skin looked fresh, and my cheeks had that light, rosy flush you usually only get from a good mood or better lighting. 

The next test was longevity. I applied the entire routine at 5 a.m. before a flight to Rome. By 11 p.m. local time, my friends were amazed that my makeup was still intact. It was time for a purge — ditch the old products and restock with what really worked. So I decided to learn more about the Hourglass brand; its philosophy, iconic products and their foray into the Gulf Cooperation Council region, especially Saudi Arabia. 

Founded by beauty entrepreneur Carisa Janes in 2004, Hourglass was born to challenge the traditional idea of luxury beauty. “From the outset, my vision was to merge innovation with integrity,” Janes tells Arab News. “I wanted to prove that you don’t have to compromise on ethics to experience exceptional quality.” 

This philosophy has been at the heart of Hourglass since day one, setting them apart in an industry that, at the time, was not prioritizing cruelty-free beauty at a luxury level. The brand quickly carved a niche for itself by combining high-performance formulations with a cruelty-free philosophy — something rarely seen in luxury beauty at the time — and eventually made the bold move to go fully vegan. “At the time, luxury beauty was so often synonymous with indulgence, with little consideration for animal welfare. I could not accept that performance had to come at the cost of compassion.” 

Every product they create is designed to push boundaries, both in innovation and impact. The Unlocked Collection, for instance, is rooted in the brand’s commitment to animal welfare, with 5 percent of net profits supporting the Nonhuman Rights Project’s work to secure fundamental rights for animals. “The collection embodies the fusion of luxury and performance, offering high-impact, radiant formulas that feel as indulgent as they are purposeful,” Janes said.

Equally groundbreaking is the Ambient Lighting Collection, inspired by the transformative power of light. “I wanted to develop powders that could recreate the most flattering lighting effects — whether it is the soft glow of candlelight or the diffused radiance of golden hour,” she says. The result was a finely milled, photoluminescent formula that enhances the complexion in an almost ethereal way — subtle yet transformative, and now one of Hourglass’s most iconic innovations. 

A staple among celebrity makeup artists and celebrities alike, the brand is now fast extending its presence within the GCC, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia. 

Janes said the Kingdom “is an incredibly exciting market. There’s a distinct appreciation for artistry, luxury, and innovation — qualities that are intrinsic to Hourglass.” 

As Saudi consumers increasingly seek brands that align with their values, Hourglass’s cruelty-free, vegan philosophy feels especially timely. Janes notes that Hourglass has seen strong momentum across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the expansion into Saudi Arabia is a natural step in their global strategy. 

“The Kingdom represents a key market in our global expansion, with a beauty industry that continues to grow at a remarkable pace,” she said.

Janes’ ultimate vision for Hourglass is to redefine luxury beauty for the future — to prove that artistry, innovation and ethics can coexist at the highest level. “I hope that when people think of Hourglass, they don’t just see a brand, but a movement — one that proves luxury can be transformative, not just for those who wear it, but for the world at large.” 


Sofia Carson wears Elie Saab at Biarritz Film Festival

Updated 28 June 2025
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Sofia Carson wears Elie Saab at Biarritz Film Festival

DUBAI: American actor and singer Sofia Carson attended the third Nouvelles Vagues International Biarritz Film Festival this week, wearing a black ensemble by Lebanese designer Elie Saab.

Her outfit featured a long-sleeved dress with a bow-tied collar and layered ruffle detailing along the sleeves and bodice. The skirt was tiered and embellished with black sequins and sheer mesh panels, creating a structured silhouette with varied textures. She completed the look with black pointed-toe heels and diamond earrings.

Held annually in the southwestern coastal town of Biarritz, the festival highlights emerging voices in global cinema and focuses on innovation in storytelling.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sofia Carson (@sofiacarson)

Carson appeared on the red carpet alongside other guests and filmmakers as the festival launched its week-long program of screenings, panels, and industry discussions.

She later shared photos from the event on Instagram, writing: “Honored to be a part of a jury of extraordinary young artists, filmmakers, directors, lovers of cinema. Merci @festivalnouvellesvagues for celebrating the power, responsibility, and artistry of youth in cinema.”

Carson has long been a fan of Saab’s designs. Earlier this month she showcased multiple looks by the couturier during Netflix-related events.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sofia Carson (@sofiacarson)

In the lead-up to Netflix Tudum 2025: The Live Event, the platform’s global celebration of fandom and storytelling, Carson wore a white ensemble featuring a tailored blazer, wide-leg trousers and a matching shirt.

On a separate occasion she wore an all-black outfit composed of wide-leg trousers and a sheer top with cape-like sleeves, tied at the neck with a long scarf. Both outfits were from Saab’s Ready-to-Wear Pre-Fall 2025 Collection.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sofia Carson (@sofiacarson)

She appeared in one of the designer’s ensembles in March while promoting her latest project, “The Life List.” She also wore a green dress from the designer’s Ready-to-Wear Fall/Winter 2023–2024 Collection during an appearance on “CBS Mornings” in New York. The look featured an oversized floral embellishment at the neck in shades of yellow and white, styled with deep green knee-high boots and a matching bag.

Later that same week, she wore another look by the designer, a black dress with a fitted silhouette and structured shoulders. She styled it with long leather gloves, sheer black stockings and pointed-toe pumps.