About the Show

Ahlan Simsim follows the adventures of Basma and Jad, two best friends exploring their world. Each episode features familiar Muppet friends, animated characters, and trusted adults who help our characters learn how to identify and manage big feelings—with lots of fun, laughter, and learning along the way!

Meet the Characters

Salma

Salma is an active, funny and compassionate woman in her mid-20s who just moved to Ahlan Simsim. Originally from Egypt, Salma now teaches preschool and has a deep love for the arts and the environment. She is great at making crafts with upcycled and reused materials. Often found in her workshop, Salma is always wearing her glasses, colorful clothes and a big smile.

Jad

Jad is a creative, almost-6-year-old, yellow monster, who’s new to the neighborhood. He expresses himself through visual art and has the special skill of painting in mid-air using his grandfather’s paintbrush. Jad is a natural organizer—before he does anything, he likes to think it through and make a plan!

Basma

Basma is a gregarious, almost-6-year-old, purple monster, who loves new experiences. She’s a born performer and has a special ability to create music and sound effects, which comes in handy when she can’t quite find the words to express herself. When Jad arrived to the neighborhood, Basma welcomed him with open arms and they have been best friends ever since!

Ma'zooza

Ma’zooza is a sweet baby goat who loves Basma and Jad very much. She doesn’t speak yet, but “maaas” to express herself. Ma’zooza loves things that are round—when she locks her eyes on something round or circular, her ears perk up… and she’ll try to eat it!

Abu'l Fihem

Abu’l Fihem is the wise father figure of Ahlan Simsim, who observes the neighborhood from the mural wall and gives guidance to Basma and Jad. He has a thick mustache and a belly that inflates and deflates like a balloon—perfect for belly breathing!

Reesheh, Bulbul, and Hassoon

Reesheh is a young female bird who cares about others and loves to explore. She’s funny, playful, and sophisticated. Bulbul is the youngest of the birds. He often makes mistakes, but is always persistent and loves learning new things! Hassoon is a young male bird who loves to sing and play with his friends. He is friendly, thoughtful, and smart—and likes to look sharp.

The Dabke Dancers

The Dabke Dancers are a group of three hilarious characters who help Basma and Jad identify big feelings through song and dance.

Teta Noor

Teta Noor is a Syrian woman who lives on Ahlan Simsim with her son, Hadi. She has a passion for gardening and tutors children in academics, arts and crafts, and computers. Basma and Jad can always rely on her to help them find a solution to any problem.

Hadi

Hadi is a sweet, silly, creative young man who lives on Ahlan Simsim with his mom. Hadi loves to cook and aspires to be a chef, but hasn’t quite mastered his recipes…. yet! He is a big brother figure to Basma and Jad and is there to lend a hand when they need help.

Kaki

Kaki is a googly-eyed, furry, blue monster on a persistent quest for food… especially cookies! Kaki always shares his snacks with his friends and is there for them when they need him.

Elmo

Elmo is a 3½-year-old, furry, red, monster with a cheerful voice and a contagious giggle. Enthusiastic, friendly, and curious, he loves to explore new things.

Gargur

Gargur is a loveable blue monster who does everything with exuberance and determination. He loves to try new things and go on adventures—even when he takes a few wrong turns along the way!

Highlighted Resources

Your care and support can make a huge difference in the life of a young child. Ahlan Simsim offers variety of materials and activity ideas for young children ages 0-8 including videos, storybooks, flashcards, worksheets, and more. To browse our full resource library, please click here. For tools and resources specifically related to Covid-19, please click here.

Inclusion

What's Inside the Box

Determination

Spectacular Toy

Alphabetic Knowledge

Letter Flashcards

Emotion Identification

Feelings Scale Poster

What's Inside the Box
Download the storybook PDF >

What's Inside the Box

Topic: Diversity and Inclusion

Detailed Goal: Inclusion

Audience: Children 3-8

This book introduces your child to the concepts of diversity and respect for differences among human beings. It will also assist your child in discovering ways to identify objects using his senses.

• After finishing the story, ask your child: How do you think the characters felt when Ahmed figured out what was in the box? Can you name the five senses? What are the senses Ahmed used to figure out what was inside of the box?
• Ask your child to retell the story to you in his own words.
• Have a conversation with your child about the differences in human capacities and qualities and discuss how these differences make the world a more beautiful place.
• Play a game with your child similar to the one in the story. Put a group of objects in a box or under a cover and ask him to use his senses to identify each item without looking at them.
• After reading the story, ask your child to draw a scene or character from the story and allow him to hang it on the wall of his room.

Spectacular Toy

Spectacular Toy

Topic: Emotions

Detailed Goal: Determination

Audience: Children 8-12

One of Ahlan Simsim’s residents made a cool handmade wagon. When Basma and Jad see it, they feel determined to try to build their own!

Ask your child the following questions before and after viewing:

1) (Before viewing) What do you think this video will be about?
2) (After viewing) Can you tell me what happened in the video?
3) (After viewing) How did this video make you feel?

Letter Flashcards
Download the printable PDF >

Letter Flashcards

Topic: Literacy

Detailed Goal: Alphabetic Knowledge

Audience: Children 3-8

These large, visual cards which can be used as a resource for adults to help children learn their letters. Display the letter to teach children about its sound and shape. Then, play “Find the Hidden Letter.” First show him a letter card, then ask him to find that letter on tissue boxes, food boxes, or other items around the house.

Feelings Scale Poster
Download the printable PDF >

Feelings Scale Poster

Topic: Emotions

Detailed Goal: Emotion Identification

Audience: Children 3-8

This poster helps your child recognize the names of different feelings. Play with him the game of emulating feelings in front of the mirror and mix this with other fun activities, such as the following:

• Ask him to imitate the pictures one by one as he looks at himself in the mirror.
• Name each of these feelings when your child imitates them and ask them to repeat the name.
• Ask him to remember a time he felt different feelings, and why he felt that way.
• Ask your child in which part of his body he felt the feeling. What did it feel like?
• Reverse the game–imitate the pictures and ask your child to guess the name of the feeling you are imitating.
• Name a feeling and ask your child to imitate it without looking at the picture.
• Ask your child to choose how he feels now, and to what degree he is feeling it.
• If you have more than one child, ask them to play these games together.
• You can take advantage of the poster at different times, for example when your children are experiencing strong feelings and need to express them or when you experience strong feelings and want to tell your children about them.
• You can print this poster and hang it on the fridge so that children can return it whenever they need to.