Muslims across the world begin observing Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, starting on Monday, March 11. The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is marked by abstinence, prayer, reflection, community — and highly anticipated TV series in Northern Africa.

Every year on the first day of Ramadan, Egypt, which is known as the Hollywood of North Africa and SouthWest Asia, releases around 30 musalsalat (series) of 15 or 30 episodes. While these shows reflect the diverse tapestry of Egyptian society, people tune in from all over the Arab world via Shahid, the SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) version of Netflix.

Shahid’s media library offers 25,000 hours of original productions, series, and films from Morocco to Kuwait. Content is usually subtitled in English, French, and Arabic, because Arabic speakers do not easily understand each other’s dialects. Alternatively, Egyptian streaming service WATCH IT offers plenty of Ramadan musalsalat starring renowned Egyptian actors.

The Egyptian TV production industry caters to Ramadan audiences specifically, covering all preferences from historical and family dramas, to action, stories about social justice and, of course, comedy. Because these shows are specifically created within the framework of Ramadan, one episode airs per day. Streaming platforms, however, offer the musalsalat of the previous years, to be binge-watched at one’s leisure.

Here are ten of the most anticipated series streaming on Shahid or WATCH IT during Ramadan 2024:

'Atbat El Bahga' ('Thresholds of Joy')

Led by veteran Egyptian actor Yehia El Fakharany, and Mayan El Sayed, this 15-episode series is adapted from the novel of the same name by Egyptian writer Ibrahim Abdelmegeed. Directed by renowned Egyptian filmmaker Magdy Abo Omeira and written by Medhat El Adl, Atbat El Bahgafollows Bahgat, a grandfather in his seventies who loses his son and daughter-in-law and finds himself as the only caretaker for his two grandchildren. Available on WATCH IT.

'Farawla' ('Strawberry')

Set to be screened during the second half of Ramadan, Farawla is a 15-episode comedy series starring beloved Egyptian actress Nelly Karim as the daughter of a janitor, who becomes a sales representative for an international company. Directed by Mohammed Ali and written by Mohammed Suleiman Abel Malik, the series follows Farawla’s misadventures as she seeks to have a better life and helps her company achieve immense success. Available on WATCH IT.

'Said El Aqareb' ('Scorpion Fishing')

Said El Aqareb is a 30-episode drama series starring Ghada Abdel Razek as Aida, a successful businesswoman who tries to navigate a financial crisis and constant conflicts between her family and a group of businessmen, whilst investigating the murder of her brother. The series is written by celebrated playwright Baher Dewidar and directed by Ahmed Hassan. Available on Shahid and WATCH IT.

'Al A’tawla' ('The Heavyweights')

Al A’tawla follows the story of two siblings caught in a rivalry, whose greediness and jealousy lead their family to ruin and send one of them to prison. Directed by Ahmed Khaled Moussa and written by Hisham Helal, the 30-episode drama series stars an ensemble of notable Egyptian actors. Available on Shahid.

'Ala Nesbet Moshahda' ('Highest Views')

Based on true events, the 15-episode series Ala Nesbet Moshahdafollows Salma Abo Deif as Shaimaa, a poor girl who is obsessed with TikTok. Her sudden rise to stardom throws her family life into disarray as they are thrust into the spotlight of our digital era. Directed by Egyptian filmmaker Yasmine Ahmed Kamel and written by Samar Taher. Available on Shahid.

'Ashghal Shaqa' ('House of Duties')

Ashghal Shaqa is a comedy series following the misadventures of a forensic medicine specialist, starring Hesham Maged and Asmaa Galal as parents who search for an au-pair to take care of their newborn twins. The 15-episode series is directed by Khaled Diab. Available on Shahid.

'Maliha'

Set to be screened in the second half of Ramadan, this 15-episode series follows a Palestinian girl named Maliha who was displaced from her homeland to Libya after the 2000 Intifada. The story unfolds as Maliha meets a young officer on the Egyptian-Libyan border who tries to help her return to Gaza. The series is directed by Amr Arafa and written by Rasha El Gazar. Available on WATCH IT.

'Ne’mat Al Avocato' ('Ne’mat, Attorney at Law')

The drama series Ne'mat Al Avocatostars Mai Omar as Ne’mat, an intelligent lawyer at the Egyptian High Court of Appeal and the State Council, who can dictate the success and failure of lawsuits as soon as she sees them. Directed by Mohammed Samy, the 15-episode series’ narrative unfolds as Ne’mat gets betrayed by her husband who steals her money and tries to kill her when she confronts him. Available on Shahid.

'Al Hashashin' ('The Assassins')

Al Hashashin is a period drama starring Karim Abdel Aziz as Hassan El Sabagh, the leader of Al Hashasheen, a group of Shiite assassins in the mountains of Persia and Syria in the 11th century. This 30-episode series was directed by Peter Mimi, the director of the hit Ramadan series Al Ekhteyar. Available on WATCH IT.

'Embratoreyet Meem' ('M Empire')

Based on a novel by the celebrated late author Ihsan Abdel Quddus, the Embratoreyet Meem series brings back an old classic, adapted for the screen by Mohamed Sleiman Abdel Malek. The 30 episodes weave a complex story of conflicts within a family and the ambitious rise of a new empire as the children rebel against their father and demand family elections to choose a ruler for the family. Available on Shahid and WATCH IT.

As Egyptians say: “sally seyamak“ (entertain your fast).