Saudi libraries have been stocking up on a series of short stories called “Bab Al-Hara” (The Neighborhood's Gate) and based on the immensely popular Syrian television show that depicts the lives of people living in old Damascus during the 1930s, the inter-War period when the city was under French occupation. Arab satellite channels have been airing the television series during Ramadan for three years and the three seasons have covered the lifestyle in 1930s' Damascus, and aspects of family life under Islamic guidance. It paints a nostalgic picture of Arab life before the identity crisis and turmoil of the ensuing decades. Traditional social behavior within Islamic guidelines is often touted as the main element that attracts much of the Arab world toward the series, and the theory behind the book series is that children will undoubtedly want to read the written edition of such a popular show, particularly when the stories include the same characters, plot and themes. The series places a spotlight on a new trend emerging in the Kingdom and elsewhere in the Arab world: influencing children through popular literature is seen as the latest weapon to restore traditions and Islamic values in them. From an Islamic perspective, at least, such steps encourage Arab television producers to launch shows that deliver a moral and Islamic message. “Providing such interesting stories in libraries is considered a very positive movement if these stories reflect morally-sound behavior and an Islamic lifestyle,” remarked Sheikh Asem Al-Hakim, the Imam of Ja'fer Al-Taiyar Mosque. The trend has its critics as well. “Transferring information from a famous series to short, written stories is considered a positive phenomenon to bring a variety of cultures to the Kingdom, but depending on the content of those cultures,” said Mansour Bin Askar, a professor of Sociology at King Saud University, indicating that there is a need to distinguish between good and bad themes. “Saudi society needs to receive some kind of direction to develop immunity against certain foreign, and unacceptable cultures,” he added. According to Professor Askar, however, this new trend is important because of its ability to attract children back to a culture of reading books, a social necessity that has long fallen out of practice in the Kingdom. Indeed, children and their parents are enthusiastic about the book series. “It is a very interesting to have such stories to read in libraries,” said Marah Marwan Al-Jassem, an eight-year-old Syrian girl who avidly watches the show. “I like the characters in the show and I also want to develop my reading skills.” Her mother, Hind Al-Arifi, expressed joy as well. “My daughter has weak reading skills and even though I constantly ask her to read school-approved books, she shows interest in reading books from libraries,” she explained. The problem with those books, of course, is that they are entirely fictional and Hind fears that her daughter is not learning anything of Islamic significance from them. Jawhra Al Mughni is a nine-year-old Saudi girl who has not seen “Bab Al Hara” during Ramadan, but due to the show's popular and iconic appeal, has heard a lot about it. This has made her curious about the book series. “My friends have advised me to read the stories, at least, because they say the show is a combination of entertainment and wisdom,” she said. In a technologically advanced age when children are using mobile phones, watching more television and playing more video games than ever before, there is a dire need for more books to be published that will appeal to them directly. This initiative will hopefully pave the way for many more book series.
