We grew up with so many constants: finishing every last bite on our plates so it wouldn’t haunt us later, avoiding singing in the shower to keep the jinn away, and the understanding that Ramadan was a time for worship, food, and endless TV shows. But have you ever thought about it? Was the Ramadan drama marathon really always a part of the tradition? Or did it, like everything else, have a beginning? In today’s article, we go back to the origins, explore, and delve in an ocean of nostalgia. Get to know with us the story behind Ramadan shows and discover when the first Ramadan show ever aired.
Back in the day, owning a television was considered a luxury, as it wasn’t affordable for everyone. The norm in most households was to have a radio. What may surprise you is that, at the beginning of the 20th century, radio series were the constant form of entertainment, unlike today’s television shows. Before TVs became common household items, radio series were the events that people would gather around to listen to. However, as TVs began to invade Egyptian homes, radio series gradually became less common, paving the way for TV shows to take over.
The First Ramadan TV Show
The year 1962 was a milestone in the history of entertainment. The first-ever Ramadan TV show, Hareb min Al Ayam, aired at the beginning of the holy month in 1962. Adapted from a short novel released in 1958, this 13-episode series was the first Egyptian and Arab TV series. It featured a star-studded cast, including Abdullah Ghaith, Hussein Riyad, Tawfik El Dekn, Madiha Salem, Saeed Saleh, and Kamal Yassin. Initially, the leading role was intended for the renowned actor Farid Shawky, but after he rejected the role, Director Nour El Demerdash gave it to Abdullah Ghaith. The show tells the story of a poor drummer who later reveals himself to be the antagonist.
Hareb min Al Ayam didn’t just mark the debut of Egyptian TV series; it also marked the birth of a tradition that has remained with us ever since: breaking our fast, pouring cups of tea, and gathering together in front of one screen to watch Ramadan shows with full and warm hearts.
