Televised early Islamic historical drama
Omar (Arabic : عُمَرْ ) or Omar Farouk (Persian : عمر فاروق ) is a historical [ 1] [ 2] Arab television drama miniseries /serial produced and broadcast by MBC1 , Hatem Ali serves as director, with Chadi Abo co-directing. Abo is best known for directing battle scenes and complicated visual effects projects.[ 3] Co-produced by Qatar TV , the series is based on the life of Omar ibn al-Khattab (also spelled 'Umar', c. 583–644), the second Caliph of Islam , and depicts his life from 18 years old until the moments of his death.[ 3]
The series faced several high-profile controversies[ 4] [ 5] [ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9] [ 10] due to its depiction of Omar, Abu Bakr , Uthman and Ali , the four Rashidun Caliphs ,[ 11] along with other characters, who some Muslims believe should not be depicted, much like Mohammad . The series consists of 31 episodes and was originally aired in the month of Ramadan since July 20, 2012.[ 12] [ 13] [ 14] Produced at a cost of 200 million Saudi riyals (est. USD$ 53 million), filming took place in Morocco , primarily in the cities of Marrakesh , Tangiers , El Jadida , Casablanca and Mohammedia .
Following initial broadcast, the series was dubbed into several languages for international broadcast,[ 15] [ 16] [ 17] and subtitled in English on YouTube ; it received great support from many different Sunni scholarly bodies and people watching it.[ 18] [ 19] [ 20]
^ Al Tamimi, Jumana (28 July 2012). "TV drama Omar is steeped in Islamic history" . Gulf News . Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015 .
^ Ritman, Alex (6 February 2013). "Omar could show us the future of history" . The National (Abu Dhabi) . Archived from the original on 28 July 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015 .
^ a b "Behind the scenes of the biggest Arabic TV series" . Al Arabiya . 27 August 2012. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015 .
^ Habboush, Mahmoud (13 Aug 2012). "Ramadan TV show stirs argument across Arab world" . Writing by Mahmoud Habboush; Additional reporting by Regan Doherty; Editing by Andrew Torchia and Giles Elgood . Reuters . Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2015 .
^ Agence France-Presse (23 July 2012). "TV series causes controversy in Arab world" . NDTV . Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015 .
^ Abu Awad, Riad (24 July 2012). "Arabic TV series depicting Islamic figure triggers backlash" . The Globe and Mail . Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015 .
^ "TV show stirs argument across Arab world" . according to reuters Dubai . Hurriyet Daily News . 15 August 2012. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015 .
^ Al-Asif, Mohammed (20 July 2012). "The debate over a Ramadan drama" . Arab News . Retrieved 23 June 2015 . [permanent dead link ]
^ "Prophet Companions TV Series Stirs Debate" . onislam.net. 23 July 2012. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015 .
^ al-Sharif, Osama. "Controversy Over Omar" . Venture . Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015 .
^ Roxborough, Scott (24 July 2012). "Fatwa Issued Against Saudi TV Drama" . The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on 27 July 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015 .
^ Al Tamimi, Jumana (6 July 2012). " 'Omar' drama series to hit the airwaves" . Gulf News . Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015 .
^ Montasser, Farah (8 Aug 2012). "Islamic history drama 'Omar' stands out this Ramadan" . Ahram Online. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015 .
^ "Omar ibn al-Khattab TV series raises controversy - Egypt Independent" . Egypt Independent . 8 July 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2012-07-28 .
^ Pickard, Michael (7 May 2012). "ATV delves into Mid East history" . C21Media. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015 .
^ " 'Omar' marches toward wider range" . Saudi Gazette . Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015 .
^ "OMAR"-Ibn-Al-Khattab-TV-series-continues-its-march-towards-Global-reach-by-adding-Indonesia-to-the-Broadcasting-countries.html#comment%7Clist "Concurrently with the MENA Region and Turkey during the holy month of Ramadan "OMAR" Ibn Al-Khattab TV series continues its march towards Global reach by adding Indonesia to the Broadcasting countries" . mbc.net. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2015 .
^ "Ramadan diary: Why I'm spending my month with controversial TV series 'Omar' " . Doha News Team . Doha News . 30 July 2012. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015 .
^ Salem, Ola (2 August 2012). "Controversial Omar TV drama a big hit across the Arabian Gulf" . The National (Abu Dhabi) . Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015 .
^ "Controversial Ramadan series wows audiences" . Daily News Egypt . 30 July 2012. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015 .