QF’s TV series Siraj returns – offering children a new learning adventure

A new adventure is about to begin for Rashid and Noura, the animated sibling stars of Qatar Foundation’s Arabic language-focused TV series Siraj – and children in Qatar and across the Arab world are being invited to join their journey of fun and discovery through a program that supports learning beyond the classroom.

The latest season of Siraj – an 3D edutainment program designed to help children aged from 2-8 explore the Arabic language, and build their literacy and numeracy skills – begins on Wednesday, March 25, with its 15 episodes covering themes from science and history to morality and religion in a way that appeals to young minds.

At the center of the series once again are Rashid and his older sister Noura, whose quest for knowledge and the answers to questions about Ramadan, colors, healthy eating, sustainability, and other topics begins in their own playroom, and is rooted in their imagination – showing how, with a creative, inquisitive, and agile mindset, learning never stops.

“We are delighted to unveil the next chapter in the Siraj story through the launch of the new season of a QF initiative that reflects our efforts to support remote learning, as we adapt our lives to the challenges that the world has presented us with,” said Khalifa Essa Al Kubaisi, Press Office and Media Relations Manager, Qatar Foundation (QF).

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“Opportunities to learn are all around us, in many different forms, and this resonates to an even greater degree at present. Designed to be enjoyed by both children and their families, and to support educators in improving the literary and numeracy skills of their students, Siraj provides such an opportunity. We hope that those who follow the adventures of Rashid and Noura will find themselves experiencing their own adventure – an adventure of learning.

“Over its previous two seasons, Siraj has both captivated and educated children in Qatar and throughout the Arab world, opening their eyes and their minds to the wonders of the Arabic language by making learning a natural, fun process, and illustrating how education and entertainment can work in harmony. This innovative TV series aims to inspire the youngest generation of our country and region to realize where imagination, curiosity, and a desire for knowledge can take them.”

Since its launch in 2016, Siraj episodes have been viewed 28 million times, with viewers spending a total of 2.8 million hours watching the series. It now has more than 115,000 subscribers.

The series’ new season will see Rashid and Noura being prompted to answer a range of questions from their playroom, and realizing that by summoning their knowledgeable friend Siraj, they can find those answers with the help of the colorful friends they made in previous seasons, and by engaging in different activities.

The new series of Siraj also introduces a new cast of voice actors, the majority of whom are from Qatar. All its episodes have been created to align with the International Baccalaureate Program of Inquiry.

Speaking about the value of Siraj to educators, Haya Al Dosari, a teacher at Qatar Academy Doha – which comes under the umbrella of QF’s Pre-University Education – said: “Siraj helps students to learn the Arabic language and makes learning a fun experience – it is a motivational tool in the educational process, and stimulates visual and auditory learning.

“The series is a vital tool in achieving the goals of education, helping children to learn letters and words in an innovative and interactive way, improving their reading and writing abilities while reflecting their different skills. It is also a remote form of learning – which is particularly important in the current climate – and helps teachers to set goals for our students and measure their achievement.”

Ghina Khader, a Qatar Academy Doha parent, said: “The program helps children learn and understand the vocabulary of the Arabic language in a fun and interesting way, as they learn it through the stories, and the repetition of words within the episodes helps children to understand them.
“Siraj also stimulates children to spell and repeat words because the way the characters pronounce these words helps them to be processed. The episodes also include creative methods of learning that help children learn the Arabic alphabet, such as through using a particular color to highlight it and enabling children to distinguish letters quickly whatever their position in the word. They often ask to watch episodes more than once, as do their younger siblings, as it is good learning material for them.

“As a mother, I feel Siraj is a very successful program because it focuses on teaching Arabic and it delivers information in a simple and engaging way for children in short episodes, which means it it is always interesting for young minds.”

The first episode of the new season can be viewed on the Siraj YouTube channel on March 25, with further episodes being available on this channel every Wednesday.