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495:. A professor asked his class to create superheroes originating from their culture. Harib selected the Emirati women of previous generations as the heroes, because they worked and taught in difficult climates and financial environments. While the men in his grandfathers' generation dove for pearls, their wives accomplished the other tasks. Harib added "On top of that she looked very unique, thanks to the mask she was wearing. Hence my first character was born."
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713:, and are sometimes re-aired later in the year. Season One aired in 2006 and Season Two aired in 2007. On September 1 (Ramadan 1), 2008 the third season aired its finale on September 12, 2008, and re-aired its episodes for the rest of Ramadan. The show then went on a hiatus, not releasing any new official episodes for the next four years, in spite of the characters appearing in other animated productions for promotional reasons.
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222:. The show's main characters - Um Saeed, Um Saloom, Um Allawi and Um Khammas - try to live a peaceful life in the midst of the ever-expanding city around them, but the city's boom unveils new social issues every day that they would have to tackle in their own simple way. For those four old women, there is no issue too hard to crack with a good cup of coffee at Um Saeed's house.
40:
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does not discuss politics. Harib said that the show does not discuss current issues because he wants something that lives, so must use themes which can withstand the passage of time." Harib has said his
Dubaian nationality affects his choice of subjects but that the television stations do not force
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All four voice actors are Harib's personal friends. They had no previous acting experience, and Harib believed that audiences would accept them since "they were your regular local person." He had held script readings with these friends, and Harib said they matched perfectly. Harib previously held a
264:. A small demo was created to test the concept and shortly after, it was given the official go ahead by the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders (SME), who took on the initial funding of the project. In September 2005, with around 3 million Dhs of funding provided by the SME
826:
In an episode that was broadcast on 12 August 2011, Um Saeed had a heart attack while visiting patients at a hospital after being insulted by a friend. She "dies" at the end of the episode as the nurses and doctors run in to attempt to restart her heart. After the credits had finished, Um Saeed's
823:, which provoked criticism from some viewers. In defence, Mohammed Saeed Hareb said that the episode reflects how Muslims can wander and become "bad" but that Um Saeed corrects Um Khamas and helps her straighten herself out. This episode was not broadcast in the rerun of the season.
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Harib said that his grandmother's generation "love it to bits", noting that they have seen the country evolve from some small village in a desert to a place with the tallest skyscraper in the world. He believes their interest is related to adapting to the new generation.
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In the episode called "Blagh El Kazeb", Um Khamas was going to die in ten days. Um Saeed councils Um Khamas and helps her straighten herself out. Um Khamas then becomes strongly religious and is miraculously cured. In this episode Um Khamas says derogatory things about
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said, in relation to the first and second seasons, that "it was in my head, I was the only one who could express it." For subsequent seasons, he said "I have a very good team, they know the parameters. We say “Um Saloom would not say that” or “OK, this fits her”."
472:, Awraq Publishing, Arab Radio Network, JBM and the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders (SME). The show also benefited from a pool of 100 volunteers from across all national universities, who worked on its research and development.
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The production has about 500 employees, with Harib in charge. Harib created all of the main characters. He works with the actors and, with the scriptwriters, develops the scripts. He personally revises the draft scripts.
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is popular because there were few quality productions in the Arab world, and because the residents of the Arab world had watched many imported shows and wanted local shows reflecting the Arab culture.
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countries on 'Sama Dubai' (Dubai's Sky), one of Dubai's many TV channels, which broadcasts mainly local material. The series was an instant success and a major hit in the region
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Salem Jassim (سالم جاسم) is the voice actor. Jassim says that he likes Um
Khammas because "she is the classic Bedouin character and reminds me of my grandmother."
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Since Um Allawi is of a
Persian heritage, she does not have an exact Emirati accent. She speaks multiple languages. Ashjan (أشجان) is the voice actress.
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564:'s first character. "Saeed" was the name of his father, and "Um Saeed" is Harib's homage to his paternal grandmother.
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The second season first episode was watched by 680,000 viewers, making it one of the most watched shows in Dubai.
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FREEJ started off as a six-page study book in 1998, but did not materialise until 2003 when it was adopted by
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In the second season, the writer Najla El Shihi wrote six episodes and Amna Al
Mansoori wrote nine.
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casting for 60 people, and he said that "none of them spoke to the woman that was in my head."
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522:, Bedouin face masks. The women's names refer to their eldest sons. "Um" means "mother of".
1238:- Granny-loving creator of the UAE's first animated series. TimeOut Dubai. 19 January 2006.
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On
Ramadan 2009 Freej aired a quiz show that was 2–3 minutes long. The prize was 500,000
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said "the show has gained the region-wide, cross-generational popularity of an Arab "
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heart miraculously began to beat again (She would later return in Season 5 Ep 1.)
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In 2008, Season 2 DVDs were released in
September at Toys R Us and other outlets.
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This article is about the animated series Freej. For the FreeJ Vision Mixer, see
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As of 2024, the sixth season has been announced. The fourth season premiered on
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freejhomeflash_en.swf]." () Freej
Official Website. Retrieved on 26 March 2012.
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National Figure known for being the best football supporter in the Middle East
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one of the first home-produced shows for that channel, along with the
1200:"Emirati actor Majid Al Falasi, voice behind Um Saeed in Freej, dies"
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Um Saeed's voice actor, Majid Al Falasi, passed away on May 7, 2023.
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s production, had agreed to broadcast the show on the newly launched
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The series premiered on 24 September 2006 – the first day of
Ramadan
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1347:- An early Omani article regarding the anticipation of the series.
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839:. Freej was to get a special hour-long episode that would air on
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The show stars four main characters, all elderly women who wear
1337:. Al Nisr Publishing. - An article about supporting Freej from
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starting
November 4, 2012. The fifth season premiered in 2013.
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Abood is a mischievous little boy. He is Um Saeed's grandchild.
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1013:"Cartoon Network Arabic free-to-air goes live on October 10th"
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Majid Al Falasi (ماجد الفلاسي) is the voice actor. This was
1226:." flydubai. 19 December 2011. Retrieved on 29 March 2012.
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Runs her own catering service and traditional music band.
295:
1178:الموسم السادس من فريج يعرض حصرياً و مجاناً على منصة شاهد
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The following writers have contributed to this TV show:
39:
1145:(). Freej Official Website. Retrieved on 26 March 2012.
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women living in a secluded neighbourhood in modern-day
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1166:() Freej Official Website. Retrieved on 26 March 2012.
1124:). Freej Official Website. Retrieved on 26 March 2012.
1092:() Freej Official Website. Retrieved on 26 March 2012.
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The tallest member of the group and the most educated.
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the production to avoid discussing certain subjects.
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583:Abdullah Husain (عبدالله حسين) is the voice actor.
396:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
323:, Lammtara, the Dubai-based studio company behind
294:with high viewership in the Gulf especially among
203:for children. The English tagline for the show is
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738:The show was voted number one show of all Dubai.
541:Loves reciting poetry and old traditional sayings
244:The show premiered on September 24, 2006, during
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1323:- The official website for the animated series.
1313:- The official website for the animated series.
1071:. August 10, 2011. Retrieved on March 29, 2012.
831:Freej 2009: The Book Of Riddles and The Special
483:began developing the concept while attending
598:Addicted to all kinds of gizmos and gadgets.
305:, an English Channel (which is also part of
1063:The Q&A: Mohammed Saeed Harib, animator
786:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
468:The show is now officially associated with
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1005:
851:The series has received critical acclaim.
557:The group gathers at her house every day.
83:Um Saeed, Um Alawi, Um Khammas, Um Saloom,
38:
937:
806:Learn how and when to remove this message
642:Khalid Herya (Arabic : خالد حرية) -
538:Eldest member of the group and the wisest
456:Learn how and when to remove this message
348:. Additionally, the main characters from
229:", a term which means "neighbourhood" in
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629:Has a very dictating strong personality.
1224:flydubai premieres exclusive FREEJ film
1002:
241:, is available with English subtitles.
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993:: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
1396:2006 Emirati television series debuts
940:"Students help bring cartoon to life"
901:Najla Al-Shehhi (Wrote some episodes)
604:A close follower of the stock market.
319:In 2010, via a partnership deal with
784:adding citations to reliable sources
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526:created all of the main characters.
394:adding citations to reliable sources
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352:were used in a localised version of
225:The show's title is a reference to "
1331:Students help bring cartoon to life
975:from the original on March 26, 2012
620:The rebellious member of the group.
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13:
1386:Emirati animated television series
579:Never leads and always tags along.
576:The kindest member of the quartet.
14:
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1236:"Profile of Mohammed Saeed Harib"
695:Jameela is obsessed with fashion.
25:2006 Emirati TV series or program
1411:2000s animated television series
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117:approx. 15 minutes (per episode)
1406:2010s Emirati television series
1401:2000s Emirati television series
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1198:Bedirian, Razmig (2023-05-08).
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938:Saffarini, Reema (2006-10-04).
898:Amna Al-Mansoori (Novel writer)
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601:Has her own mobile and laptop.
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553:Shortest member of the group
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1257:United Arab Emirates portal
692:Jameela (جميلة) (Season 3)
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144:Eyes Studio Channels Global
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321:Turner Broadcasting System
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147:TV3 (Malaysian TV network)
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1156:Meet the Cast Um Khammas
681:Abood (عبود) (Season 2)
547:Very sarcastic in nature
1135:Meet the Cast Um Allawi
1103:Meet the Cast Um Saloom
1082:Meet the Cast Umm Saeed
689:Fatoom Eloom (Season 3)
485:Northeastern University
1364:Freej: a Ramadan treat
1319:Freej official website
1309:Freej official website
891:Mohammed Saeed Harib (
718:Cartoon Network Arabic
616:Um Khammas (أم خمّاس)
332:Cartoon Network Arabic
139:Cartoon Network Arabic
591:Um Allawi (أم علاوي)
869:Mohammed Saeed Harib
780:improve this section
724:Mohammed Saeed Harib
572:Um Saloom (أم سلوم)
562:Mohammed Saeed Harib
524:Mohammed Saeed Harib
481:Mohammed Saeed Harib
390:improve this article
212:Mohammed Saeed Harib
92:United Arab Emirates
58:Mohammed Saeed Harib
1015:. Zawya. 2010-10-10
623:A three time widow.
544:Has a short posture
534:Um Saeed (أم سعيد)
358:at April 12, 2011.
1329:Saffarini, Rima. "
1116:2011-09-08 at the
657:Rahmah the Teacher
550:Addicted to coffee
283:2013-10-04 at the
270:2013-10-04 at the
161:September 24, 2006
1372:. 31 August 2009.
1271:Television portal
1234:Byrne, Michelle.
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925:References
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