Controversy Surrounds MBC's Ramadan Drama Series "Dof'at London" Over Its Portrayal of Iraqi Characters
(MENAFN) MBC's drama series "Dof'at London" has sparked controversy for its portrayal of Iraqi characters, causing officials from Kuwait and Iraq to claim that it misrepresents Iraqis and undermines relations between the two nations. The show, which is part of MBC's special Ramadan programming, features a pan-Arab cast and tells the story of Arab medical students who move to London during the 1980s and attempt to reconcile Arab traditions and conservative values with the liberal ideals of life in the British capital [1]. The opening episodes of the show have outraged some viewers for its portrayal of Iraqi women working as maids and being accused of theft. In another scene, an Iraqi man is shown refusing to help a group of Kuwaiti women after their money is stolen.
Iraqi and Kuwaiti officials said the series "offend" the two countries' longstanding diplomatic ties. According to a statement issued by Iraqi officials, the show's fictional story "would disturb the historical relationship between the peoples of the two countries," risking undermining diplomatic ties [1]. Officials from the two nations had a telephonic discussion following the airing of the episodes during which they rejected the portrayals. A further statement from the Kuwaiti ministry clarified that the series was shot outside the country and not screened on any Kuwaiti channels.
The show has triggered intense debate across social media, with Iraqi and Kuwaiti personalities weighing in with their opinions. Iraqi writer Sarah Quraishi questioned the idea of Iraqi women working as maids in London in the 1980s, and why Kuwaiti drama always insists on showing Iraqis in a bad light. However, Iraqi cast member Thaulfekar Khadr defended the series, saying that Iraqi women were portrayed "with nothing but dignity" [1].
This is not the first time that a Ramadan drama has been accused of misrepresenting a particular group. In 2021, the Saudi drama series "Umm Haroun" sparked controversy for portraying a Jewish community in a negative light. The show was eventually pulled from Netflix after it was accused of promoting anti-Semitism [2]. The controversy surrounding "Dof'at London" highlights the importance of responsible media representation and the potential impact that media can have on perceptions of different groups.
As the debate over "Dof'at London" continues, it remains to be seen whether the show will be pulled from MBC's Ramadan programming or if changes will be made to address the concerns raised by Iraqi and Kuwaiti officials and viewers. The controversy surrounding the show serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible media representation and the need to ensure that media content does not perpetuate harmful stereotypes or misrepresentations.
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