Bab al-Hara

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Bab al-Hara (Arabic for "The Neighborhood's Gate" "باب الحارة") is one of the most popular television series in the Arab world,[1] watched by tens of millions of people[2] from "poverty-stricken Gaza to the opulent cities of the Persian Gulf."[3] The series chronicles the daily happenings and family dramas in a neighborhood in Damascus, Syria in the inter-war period under French rule when the local population yearned for independence.[3] The appeal is cross-generational, and viewers include Muslims, Christians, Druze and even Jews from Arab countries.[2]

The series airs during Ramadan and forms part of the emerging modern tradition of the Ramadan soap opera.[4] The Arab satellite channels broadcast special programming every night during Ramadan to try and capture audiences from among the families who have gathered together to eat and break the fast.[4]

Produced by Bassam al-Mulla and broadcast on MBC,[2] the first installment of the series, comprising 31 episodes, aired during Ramadan in 2006 and enjoyed broad viewership and a positive reception. The second installment, entitled Bab al-Hara 2, was highly anticipated, receiving even wider acclaim in Ramadan of 2007. A third installment to be aired in Ramadan of 2008 was officially announced on al-Arabiya channel in October of 2007, and will focus on the post-marriage lives of the children of Abu Issam, the local doctor and barber.[5]

Like many of the most recent popular Arabic series, Bab al-Hara is a Syrian production, financed by the Gulf-state satellite channels. It reflects a new trend representing the shift of Arabic media dominance away from the Egyptians to the Syrians. It is speculated that although Syrian cinema has always had the talent and creativity it is now showing, the Egyptians dominated due to the Syrians lack of funding. Now, with recent financing from Gulf-funded TV stations, the Syrians have seen an exponential rise to dominance in the field Arab audiovisual and cinematic productions.

Contents

[edit] Historic context

The series takes place in the 1930s, a time when the Middle East was colonized by Western powers. Syria was under French control and Palestine - where some of the neighborhood men go to fight at the end of the second installment of the series - was British-occupied. Bab al-Hara depicts the last moments of Syrian society as it existed in its centuries-old Ottoman era make-up, just prior to the transition into colonial and post-colonial modernity. The series' hearkening back to this era partially explains its massive popularity, an expression of the Arab world's nostalgia and yearning for a simple, more dignified time[3] before the cataclysmic turmoil and cultural identity crisis ushered in by the colonial period.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Main

  • Abu Isam - Abas al-Noury (the hakim/doctor the story is based around him)
  • Abu Shehab - Samer al-Masry (the strongman of the neighborhood)
  • Abu Ghalib (Balila seller, from nearby rival neighborhood)
  • Isam (eldest son of Abu Isam)
  • Othman Malaheem (Hara judge)
  • Lutfia Leelya al-Atrash (wife of Isam)
  • Mo'tez-Wael Sharaf (son of Abu Isam)
  • Umm Zaki (unmarried woman of neighborhood; gives advice to other women)
  • Firyal (widow and troublemaker)
  • Suad - Sabah al-Jazaery (wife of Abu Isam)
  • Jamila (daughter of Abu Isam)
  • Dalal - Anahed Fead (daughter of Abu Isam)
  • Al-Za'im (leader of neighborhood until assassinated)
  • Ida'shari Bassam Kousa(poor, bitter man and troublemaker. Turns his life around somewhat by the end of his life)
  • Staif ("blind" beggar and assassin of al-Za'im and spy)

[edit] Other

  • Abu Ibrahim - Isam Aba Ge (textiles shop owner)
  • Umm Ibrahim/'AAdliyyeh - (Abu Ibrahim's wife)
  • Ibrahim - (son of Abu Ibrahim and has love relationship with Dalal)
  • Abu Khatir - (Local Metal-worker)
  • Khatir - (Son of Abu Khatir)
  • Abu samer al-hmsane- Mamoon al-Fark (worker shop Hummus and full)
  • Riyad - (Abu Khatir's worker and son-in-law)
  • Zahra - Dima Al-Jindi (Abu Khatir's deaf and mute daughter, wife of Riyad)
  • Khairiyyeh - Dima Kandalaft (Abu Khatir's daughter, engaged to Mo'taz)
  • Umm Khatir - (Abu Khatir's wife)
  • Abu al-Nar - (strongman of nearby rival neighborhood)
  • Abu Bashir - (bread-maker)
  • Umm Bashir/Shahira - (Abu Bashir's wife)
  • Bashir - (Abu Bashir's son)
  • Huda - (second wife of Isam)
  • Abu Qassem - (owner of Hamaam [spa] and brother of Abu Shehab and Suad)
  • Abu Hassan - (a leader of Arab resistance in Syria and Palestine)
  • Abu Jawdat - (Government law-enforcement official)
  • Nouri - (Abu Jawdat's assistant)
  • Abu Tony - (weapons dealer)
  • Buran - (daughter of Abu Isam)
  • Sa'eed - (Buran's husband)
  • Abu Satoor - (assistant to Abu al-Nar)
  • Abu Draa' - (Abu al-Nar's worker, married to Ida'shari's daughter.)
  • Shafee'a - (Ida'shari's daughter.)
  • Nazmiyyeh - (Ida'shari's wife.)
  • Maaruf - (Ida'shari's eldest son.)
  • Subhi - ( ida'shari's son)
  • Abu Badr - (Abu Isam's neighbor)
  • Fawziyyeh - Laila Sammoor (Abu Badr's wife - troublemaker)
  • Badr - (Abu Badr's son)
  • Abu Hatem - (Owner of Local Cafe)
  • Abdo - (Abu Qasim's worker)
  • Msalam - (Abu Hatim's worker)
  • Abu Deebo - (Abu Hatem's brother-in-law)
  • Deebo - (Abu Deebo's son)
  • Abu Marzooq - (Produce Grocer)
  • Mesalam-(worker at the cafe)
  • Samuel-(son of Abu Samuel)
  • Abu Majed - (Neighborhood Guard)
  • Boy who fixed door bell (Osama Malaheem - guest in one show)

[edit] Society and values

 Please help improve this article or section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (October 2007)

The director of Bab al-Hara, Bassam al-Mulla, explains that he intended to create nostalgia for "a world with values, honor, gallantry...and the revolutionary spirit."[4]

[edit] More On Bab Al Hara

Bab al Hara is one of numerous series that reflects a very miniature image of the life in the old city of Damascus. Every Neighborhood or 'Hara' has its own 'Mukhtar',a chosen older man held in high regards and respected by everyone for wisdom and reverence. 'Mukhtar' is chosen based on a his history of good deeds and bravery and on how he stood the test of time and how he acted before in the hour of peril and at time of need. The 'Mukhtar' gathers a number of men around him who are known of bravery and dependability and wisdom to run his errands and help him at the hour of need. These members along with the 'Mukhtar' constitute a small nucleus that runs the 'Hara' and decides what is good for it and for its people. The members are always asked for their opinion in every matter that has to do with the 'Hara'. The wealthier members donate money to the 'Hara' by giving it to the 'Mukhtar' and then they all decide the fate of the money whether is should be for renovation purposes of to be distributed for the less fortunate or to be kept for difficult times.This hierarchical division however might be misleading for the reader since it might give the impression that the 'Mukhtar' and the members are isolated diplomats,or are from a different social class, but that is completely wrong for these was nothing as 'social class' at that time. Religion 'Islam' made all people equal. The only thing that differentiates the members from others is that they are the older generation in the 'Hara' and they had enough experience in life that makes them able to see things better, and on top of all they are individuals known for their generosity, devotion and altruism. Members also have steady incomes for having a shop or a business that they run, like the Barber shop,Bakery,iron smith, farmer, grocery store , or a merchant. 'Mukhtar' and members are obligated to help whoever is in need whether poor, sick, weak and they work to being justice among people. This motivation springs from a deep feeling or responsibility and a sense of brotherhood and love imposed by religion and inheritance. If ever existed in the world, such social systems are very rare. Societies based on trust and bravery and manhood and altruism , Where a man's word was all that he had, and the good deed was all that counted.

This Image does not exist in Damascus anymore the way it once did, although these old days are acclaimed to be the best that the old city has ever witnessed, and this chapter in the history of Damascus is still revered and remembered by the people of Damascus for its heritage is still kept alive among them.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Rym Ghazal and Mohammed Zaatari (15 October 2007). Eid mixes solemn duties with simple fun as faithful mark end of Ramadan. Daily Star, Lebanon. Retrieved on 2007-10-15.
  2. ^ a b c Yoav Stern (9 October 2007). Arab tradition makes a comeback - on TV. Retrieved on 2007-10-15.
  3. ^ a b c Dalia Nammari (13 October 2007). Hit soap calls Gaza faithful from evening prayer for a nightly dose of nostalgia. The Scotsman. Retrieved on 2007-10-13.
  4. ^ a b c Dalia Nammari (12 October 2007). Syrian Soap Opera Captivates Arab World. The Associated Press. Retrieved on 2007-10-15.
  5. ^ H.A.R (10 October 2007). Get Ready for Bab al Hara 3!. Waleg. Retrieved on 2007-10-15.
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