’Iftah Ya Simsim’ partners with YouTube’s Creators for Change program

From left, Tarek Abdalla, head of marketing for YouTube and Google in MENA, Cairo Arafat, managing director of Bidaya Media, and Zain Masri, marketing manager for YouTube in MENA, with Muppets — Elmo, Gargur, and Shams.

YouTube announced on Friday that the producers of “Iftah Ya Simsim,” an Arabic version of children’s television icon “Sesame Street,” have joined forces with the platform’s Creators for Change initiative.
Creators for Change is a global effort to amplify the voices of YouTube role models who tackle social issues with their YouTube channels.
Launched in September of last year, the program aims to empower creators around the globe to continue sharing powerful messages that help create positive social impact through their work on YouTube. Omar Hussein is one of the program’s 11 global ambassadors and is joined by Arab creators Maha Abdelghaffar, Shog Al-Meskary, and Ezaldeen Aref as Creators for Change fellows.
“We believe in the power of starting early and starting right,” said Cairo Arafat, managing director of Bidaya Media, which produces “Iftah Ya Simsim.”
“Changing the world for the better is something every one of us can do, and helping young children learn these positive behaviors and practice them in their relationships with siblings, neighbors, classmates, and friends lays the foundation for more tolerant and accepting societies. We’re proud to include our ‘Iftah Ya Simsim’ Muppets — Shams, No’man, Melsoon, Elmo, Gargur, Kaaki and Habib — in Creators for Change.”
“Through our YouTube Creators for Change program, we will continue to support voices promoting tolerance and empathy. ‘Iftah Ya Simsim’ has championed these values for decades through their iconic characters who tell stories and enjoy massive popularity among their young audience in the Arab world.
“We are proud to have them join us a Creator for Change partner, and we look forward to seeing the impact of our work together,” added Tarek Abdalla, head of marketing for Google Middle East and North Africa.
Airing in September next year, Season Three’s 50-plus episodes will feature the region’s top YouTube content creators. As part of this partnership, the content will be produced in part at the YouTube Space Dubai, which is set to open early next year. “Iftah Ya Simsim” creators will produce additional episodes that will be exclusively available on YouTube.
With the return of character favorites Elmo, No’man, Gargur, and Shams, the latest Muppet to join the “Iftah Ya Simsim” cast from the GCC and MENA region, the season will focus on three themes: Respect for one’s self and each other, resilience through being strong and adaptable, and relationships — designed to encourage children’s social-emotional development by teaching them about self-esteem, embracing their identity, and being positive, proactive members of society.