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Sat Sept 23 -

HOLIDAY NOTES -

First, Happy New Year for Rosh HaShonah, if you're inclined that way; or Mahbrouk for Ramadan, if that's your cup of tea.

A few items seemed to wizz by me over the last couple of days which I think important to note, so some of this has accumulated.

Every year lately I've looked for a comprehensive survey of the TV mini-series that are broadcast at this time of year across the Middle East, if only out of curiosity about the topics they focus on. They are called, incidentally, mosalsalat.

In a rather long but chatty article at Egypt Today, Sherif Awad's guide gives a rundown on what's being offered this year from kitch to topical.

While it may seem an odd addendum to some, it has long been my suspicion that the much-disputed "Qana Photo Saga" had a professional author/director behind it. Perhaps, he was from Al Manar TV itself or, perhaps, he even produced some of these mosalsalat TV series in years gone by. Of course, I'm just guessing... but what about the Mysterious Bridal Dress? And wasn't the Micky Mouse doll a symbol of the West enslaving the Ummah? No? OK, I could be wrong.

In any case, it popped up in the news again this past week when The Green Helmet Guy got his Warholian 15 minutes of international fame; a photo of him was displayed by Lebanese President Emile Lahoud before the UN. See Snapped Shot Blog here for details.

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