Spoiler alert: this article includes spoilers of the series.
Al Rawabi School for Girls is one of the newest hit limited series from Netflix Middle East. Directed and produced by Tima Shomali – Jordanian producer, director, writer, and comedy actress, and according to Zainab Salbi, the “Tina Fey of the Arab world” – the series features young Arab women in a high school setting. Like many high schools all around the world, it comes with a social hierarchy putting Mariam (Andria Tayeh), Dina (Yara Mustafa), and newbie Noaf (Rakeen Saad) right at the bottom, ultimately making them prey to the “mean girls” Layan (Noor Taher), Rania (Joanna Arida), and Roqayya (Salsa Biela). The drama quickly grabs viewers’ attention with its relatability and mischievous twist when the bullied outcasts at the prestigious Al Rawabi School for Girls plot a series of risky takedowns to get back at their tormentors – but the ever-so engaging plot along with its relatability is not the only thing that put this series at the top of the charts around the world.
The Captivating Cast
Each and every individual cast member was relatable in one way or another. From outcast Mariam to Queen B Layan, and, of course, the undeniably lovable Miss Abeer, it is no question why viewers cannot pick a favorite! Whilst being authentic to the reality of personalities that high school hierarchies entail, we see talented performances from the main characters to the embodiment of their roles in the series, and, of course, the female majority in the casting – all factors that make Al Rawabi School for Girls a notable and honorable series.
“Taboo” Topics Uncovered
Not only was the storyline, production, and casting of the series forthrightly phenomenal but the series gracefully covered controversial topics in the region. It is very rare that we see any Arab media – and entertainment at that – cover topics such as bullying, harassment, mental illness, sexual assault – whilst touching upon the reality of homophobia – and of course, spoiler alert – honor killings. The reason behind this is that for years we have been told that covering or even discussing such topics, let alone publicly, is considered “3eib” عيب or shameful.
The reality of the fact is that by not discussing or acknowledging topics of such nature, we are ultimately not progressing as a society overall. The topics mentioned above are unfortunate veracities in almost any and every culture across the globe and Al Rawabi School for Girls covered each one swiftly whilst still portraying this “shameful” ideology, exhibiting that this is a major issue within our society – something the region has never seen before!
The Impact of Debunking “Taboo” Ideologies Through Television in the MENA Region
This series has been viewed by elders and youngsters, as well as males and females alike, allowing Al Rawabi School for Girls to climb up the charts, not only in the Middle East and North African regions, but worldwide! Debunking “taboo” ideologies through television has been prominent in society, but never, up until now, have we seen it done, and done impeccably at that, in the Middle East, making it a major accomplishment.
Not only does debunking these ideologies through a form of entertainment depict the reality of the lives of many young women