Travel series introduces new, unconventional destinations to Arab audiences

Source: Alaraby 2. Wehajat Safar goes round the world.

A new travel series promises to take Arab audiences to new destinations and unique experiences. Wejahat Safar hosts Christelle Saade and Abdulrahman Algamili share their adventures from Azerbaijan to Turkey, Georgia, Oman, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, and Lebanon.

Broadcast on Alaraby 2, a multiplatform entertainment and cultural channel based in Doha, Wejahat Safar began on January 5 and traverses Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, Cappadocia in Turkey, and Tbilisi, the capital and the largest city of Georgia among others. Episodes are broadcast on Wednesdays at 5:30 GMT, with 13 episodes in total.

"I'm interested in museums and cultural and historical landmarks, through which we discover a country's heritage and history, and the cultures and traditions of its people, said Saade.

"We will take audiences on unforgettable adventures, from one country to another to discover their civilisations, cultural and popular aspects, as well as their unique activities."

"I prefer experiences, getting to know others, and reading the history written on people's faces, in their lanes and alleys, and their simple customs," Algamili said.

"In popular markets and small cafes, I discover people, their customs and traditions, their legacies, and their traditional costumes. We promise the viewers visits to distinctive cities and interesting adventures."

Alarabi 2 frequencies are available on Nilesat 11258 H and Es'hailSat 11310 V, and through service providers Ooredoo, beIN, Vodafone - GigaTv, Cable Vision, Türksat KabloTV, or at www.alaraby.com/alaraby2 and on social media platforms.

Say Yes to the Dress Arabia comes to STARZPLAY

STARZPLAY, the subscription video on-demand (SVOD) service in the MENA region, partners with Discovery to present Say Yes to the Dress Arabia, available to stream exclusively from February 11, 2022. Two episodes will be released each week.

The show, a STARZPLAY Original, is coming to the Middle East for the first time and is the 25th local spinoff of the popular series featuring 20 brides from various cultural backgrounds, ranging in age from 23 to 50, all in search for their dream wedding dress.

Say Yes to the Dress Arabia gives brides from the region a once-in-lifetime opportunity to feature on the show and find their perfect wedding dress. The show captures the emotional journeys of brides-to-be, bundled with the show's trademark drama, as each member of the entourage holds their own opinion on the dress while the host comments on the bride's challenges and reactions as she goes through the journey of picking her dream dress.

Say Yes to The Dress Arabia is shot at the Hazar Haute Couture in Dubai which houses a bridal collection that accomodates budgets from US$615 to US$14,000. It is hosted by in-demand Lebanese celebrity stylist Khalil Zein, who has dressed celebrities from across the region including Haifa Wehbe and Nancy Ajram.

Source: STARZPLAY. Say Yes to The Dress Arabia arrives on STARZPLAY, in partnership with Discovery.

Khalil said: "It is an honour to be part of a show with such an iconic legacy and it brings me great pride to be part its first regional appearance. The process of helping the brides, from different backgrounds, was a fruitful challenge. I am very excited for the viewers to watch what we worked so hard to put together."

Khaled Benchouche, STARZPLAY SVP of Programming & Acquisitions said: "The addition of Say Yes to the Dress Arabia to our content portfolio reflects STARZPLAY's commitment to bring quality content to our local audience. The series underlines STARZPLAY's focus on delivering world-class homegrown content with regional relevance, and we are proud to add it to our library of STARZPLAY Original shows."

Anouska Widdess, Discovery Communications Senior Director of TLC & Channel Operations added: "TLC's Say Yes to The Dress is one of Discovery's most beloved global franchises, having gained a cult following worldwide. We are proud to be partnering with STARZPLAY to finally bring the region its own edition, especially since MENA is famous for having some of the most glamorous weddings and brides."

Zee5 zeroes in on Pakistan, Bangladesh

Source: Zee5. Images for the #ShareTheLove campaign.

Three months after its soft launch across 190+ countries, digital entertainment platform ZEE5 is now focused on Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The #ShareTheLove is themed around the similarities that ZEE5 shares with Pakistan and Bangladesh in terms of culture and entertainment. Bringing in a strong bouquet of content which resonates with audiences in these markets, including Hindi and Bengali original shows like Rangbaaz, Kaali and the upcoming Sharate Aaj, original films like Aranyadeb and Tigers as well as digital premieres like Namaste England and Praktan; ZEE5 shares the love.

Amit Goenka, CEO, ZEE International and Z5 Global, said, "Indian content, especially our TV shows, movies and music gets tremendous love across the globe, and especially so from the sub-continent due to the relatability. We are glad to announce our availability in Bangladesh and Pakistan vide our new campaign #ShareTheLove and we look forward to getting a tremendous response from these markets."

"Good content transcends borders and especially so with Pakistan and Bangladesh where there is so much shared context of culture and language. This high energy TVC captures our innate similarities and showcases the content that we all love to watch, which is now available on ZEE5. With this message at its core, #ShareTheLove is sure to resonate beautifully with audiences in these markets," adds Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global.

ZEE5 offers 1,00,000 hours of Indian movies, TV shows, cine plays, music, videos and exclusive originals across 12 languages - English, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Oriya, Bhojpuri, Gujarati and Punjabi. It also offers 60+ popular live TV channels.

Details:

Download the ZEE5 app from Google Play Store or the iOS App Store. ZEE5 is also available . ZEE5 is also available on Samsung Smart TV, Apple TV, Android TV and Amazon Fire TV.

Watch the TV commercials in Bangladesh and Pakistan

Saudia gets exclusive rights to screen Bilal before its release

Source: Saudia. Saudia passengers will be able to see Bilal before its global release next year.

Dubai-based animation and visual effects studio Barajoun Entertainment has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), giving the airline the exclusive rights to screen Bilal: A New Breed of Hero on their in-flight entertainment starting November 1 2017.

Guests of SAUDIA will have exclusive access to the film before its global release in February 2018. Bilal will be added to SAUDIA’s 3,000 hours of entertainment content onboard from movies, TV shows, games to music options.

Bilal is the first computer graphics feature film fully produced in Dubai, UAE. The movie, about overcoming obstacles no matter how hard it might seem to be, is inspired by the historical story of Bilal Ibn Rabah. Bilal, who lived 1,500 years ago, was a slave born in Makkah and one of the companions of the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

In the movie Bilal dreams of becoming a great warrior, but is kidnapped with his sister Ghufaira and sent to a land far away from home. Thrown in a world where greed and injustice rule all, Bilal finds the courage to raise his voice and make a change.

Commented Dr Fahad Al-Jarboa, SAUDIA VP, Marketing and Product Management: “As part of our continuous efforts to provide a wide selection of meaningful and latest entertainment options on SAUDIA flights, Bilal joins other recently introduced titles for all our guests to enjoy.”

Bilal is produced by Ayman Jamal and directed by Ayman Jamal and Khurram H. Alavi. The international cast includes Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (The Mummy Returns) in the role of Bilal, China Anne McClain (A.N.T. Farm) as teen Ghufaira, Jacob Latimore (The Maze Runner) as teen Bilal and Ian McShane (Kung Fu Panda) as Umayyah.

Emaar creates waterfront dining and cultural experience for Ramadhan

Source: Emaar. Emaar marks Ramadhan with Ramadan Nights at RISE - Dubai Creek Harbour.

Emaar Properties is marking the spirit of togetherness with an inspiring experience at Dubai Creek Harbour with its spectacular views of the Dubai skyline. Ramadan Nights at RISE - Dubai Creek Harbour is a dining experience for iftar and suhoor that includes cultural performances from regional talent.

Enjoy a buffet with an array of Arabian delights accompanied by international dishes together with the ambient work of music composer and qanun player Khalil Ghadri.

Throughout Ramadhan visitors to Ramadan Nights at RISE - Dubai Creek Harbour can also participate in workshops such as making Eid Cards and assembling Ramadhan gift hampers to learning how to create Islamic geometric patterns. There are book readings for children, board games for adults and a curated pop-up store featuring home décor, accessories, gifts and fashion.

Interested?

Ramadan Nights at RISE - Dubai Creek Harbour 
RISE at Dubai Creek Harbour
Ramadhan
Sunday to Wednesday: Sunset to 2am
Thursday to Saturday: Sunset to 3am
Iftar AED140, suhoor AED125

Image Nation Abu Dhabi presents On Arab Geographies

Image Nation Abu Dhabi, a media and entertainment company, and independent film platform Cinema Akil, are presenting for the first time in Abu Dhabi On Arab Geographies, a film programme dedicated to showcasing films from across the Arab world and beyond. The programme aims to showcase a broad spectrum of critically-acclaimed contemporary Arab films around the notion of geography.

The programme is curated by Rabih El Khoury, Program Manager of Talents Beirut, a Programmer at ALFILM the Arab Film Festival in Berlin, Germany and a member of the administrative board of the Metropolis Association. On Arab Geographies will screen a total of eight films that include feature length and short narratives, documentaries from UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Tunisia and Lebanon, among others.

Gehad Darwish, spokesman from Image Nation Abu Dhabi said: “Our vision at Image Nation is to create opportunities for Arab talent to tell their stories, and provide them with the right platform to showcase, network and share their ideas with the audience. It is also an opportunity for local audiences to discover the breadth and depth of Arab films and support their local filmmakers. We are very pleased with this collaboration with Cinema Akil and the great selection of films and narratives curated by the brilliant Rabih El Khoury.”

The lineup will showcase titles including Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s documentary feature Zainab Hates the Snow and Amna Al Nowais’s short film, Omnia.

The programme will also include panel discussions and Q&A sessions with the filmmakers and film experts that shed light on the opportunities and challenges of film-making in the region, plus discussions on the different geographies of the Arab world.

El Khoury also commented: “This programme aims to be a travelogue throughout the Arab world and beyond. A journey that is not only shaped by mobility and movement within a set of geographical entities, but also one that is led by internal wanderings, and individual efforts to find hope.”


Butheina Kazim, Co-Founder and MD of Cinema Akil said: “The main objective of the programme is to cater to an increasingly wide audience interested in contemporary Arab cinema and storytelling in addition to adding to the thriving cultural scene in Abu Dhabi. The programme is also in line with Cinema Akil and Image Nation Abu Dhabi’s shared vision of providing a consistent platform for showcasing contemporary Arab cinema.”

The On Arab Geographies film programme is aligned with the #SupportArabCinema campaign by Image Nation, which encourages local audiences to support Arab films and filmmakers in the region.

Interested?

The On Arab Geographies programme of screenings and talks will be held in Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, UAE from 4 till 6 May, 2017.

The programme is open to the public and free of charge.

posted from Bloggeroid

Free entry to the Wild Wadi as part of the water park's Ramadhan campaign

Enjoy free access to the Wild Wadi Waterpark every Monday during Ramadhan in return for charitable clothing donations.

Mahmoud Sakr, General Manager, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Wild Wadi Waterpark, said: “Every Monday between 3pm (and) 7pm throughout the Holy Month, guests who donate three items of clothes can enjoy the water park free of charge. We believe improving the community can only be accomplished through positive deeds and good conduct. There also needs to be a balance between commerce and social responsibility. Ramadhan is the time to set aside material concerns and refocus on spirituality which typically includes philanthropic work.”

View of Wild Wadi in 2009.

Special containers will be placed at the registration area where any piece of clothing in good condition can be donated. Tickets are limited to the capacity of the water park, and so subject to first-come, first-served basis. The clothing will be donated to support Beit Al Kheir Society, a non-profit organisation that provides assistance to underprivileged families in the region.

Interested?

Note that clothing donations after 5pm are unlikely to qualify for free entry into the water park. Ramadhan hours are 10am to 6pm, every day except Fridays, when they are 10am to 10pm. 

Book tickets online
 
Hashtag: #ExperienceWildWadi, #WildWadi, #betterwithjumeirah, #mydubai

We are open from 10am - 10pm every Friday this summer! More time for fun and thrills at #WildWadi. Tag a friend #mydubai #starlightfridays #betterwithjumeirah

A photo posted by Wild Wadi Waterpark (@wildwadiwaterpark) on Jun 10, 2016 at 3:56am PDT

Alchemiya offers uplifting content for Muslims on streaming platform

The Alchemiya streaming service is offering a limited promotion to watch its content for three months for a small fee. Alchemiya currently has over 50 films, documentaries and lifestyle programmes on offer, with new content added regularly. The films are streamed over the Internet onto connected devices like phones and laptops, and not downloaded.

According to Alchemiya's founders, there is also little content for a Muslim audience, which is "young, well-educated, politically aware and socially conscious". The platform presents uplifting content and a side of Muslims and Islam that is widely unknown.

"There is a lot of misinformation and lack of understanding about our faith. It is our intention to create content that breaks down negative stereotypes and makes people reconsider their views," the company states on its website.

Alchemiya will also support creatives producing Muslim-related content by giving them paid commissions and promoting their work. "We are also on the hunt for the next generation," the founders said.

Interested?

Watch the trailer for Islam in Color

Alchemiya costs US$160 for 24 months. Take advantage of the three-month limited time offer