Emiratis are stars of Ramadan TV

Abu Dhabi TV's prgrammes for the holy month will include shows for the whole family.

A number of stars attended the gala at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi last night. Lee Hoagland / The National

ABU DHABI // A series of Emirati-made and themed programmes will be broadcast for the first time during Ramadan.

Local content is being prioritised by the Abu Dhabi Al Emarat channel over the Holy Month.

New shows include Zaman Lol, a light drama about two friends who meet again after years apart and remember their youth in the 1970s. The programme will star Emirati actor Ghanem Al Sulaiti.

A topical drama, Ya Malikan Qalbi, starring Emirati actor Fayez Al Saeed and Iraqi actress Shatha Hassoun, follows three characters and reveals how their lives intersect through seemingly unrelated incidents.

Abu Dhabi Al Oula will be offering a second season of popular Emirati comedy Lulu and Mirjan, following Lulu and her three sons’ schemes to earn a living.

The channel’s programming will also focus on the greater Arabian Gulf and Arab markets.

One show, Nekdeb La Olna Ma Bnhbesh will appeal to viewers from across the region thanks to its stars, Egyptian actress Yousra and Syrian actor Mustafa Fahmi. The drama focuses on a divorced mother struggling to rebuild her life.

More than 20 programmes for Ramadan, ranging from dramas, comedies, animated series and quiz shows, are being broadcast by Abu Dhabi TV, a branch of Abu Dhabi Media, which also owns The National.

The Holy Month schedule was unveiled last night at a gala event at Emirates Palace, which was attended by more than 40 stars of the small screen and other personalities.

On the red carpet were Emirati actors Al Saeed, Al Sulaiti and Ahmed Al Jasmi, plus Yousra, Fahmi and another Syrian star, Qusai Khouli.

Haitham Al Kathiri, Abu Dhabi TV director of operations, said its Ramadan programmes were targeted towards families.

“The Holy Month...is unique in that it further strengthens family bonds, and we have therefore selected a range of programmes that can be enjoyed by the whole family,” he said.

“This includes dramas from across the region, religious and cultural programming and health segments.

"This schedule was created in line with Abu Dhabi Media's efforts to provide valuable content to Arabs of all ages and groups, both locally and regionally."

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