Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has launched a new animated series, ‘Badr Al Musahar’, bringing a modern twist to one of Ramadan’s most cherished traditions. Produced in collaboration with Emirati director Haider Mohammed, the series blends science fiction with Emirati cultural heritage and community life.
The 15-episode series is part of the Season of Wulfa, an initiative celebrating family bonds and cultural occasions during Ramadan under the wider Ramadan in Dubai campaign. It aims to connect younger audiences with traditional customs while supporting the growth of the UAE’s creative and animation industries.
The story follows Badr, a young boy who lives with his parents in a settlement on the Moon. At the start of Ramadan, he returns to Dubai to stay with his grandmother and decides to revive the tradition of the Musahar — a figure who historically walked through neighbourhoods before dawn to wake residents for suhoor. Inspired by his grandfather, who was the last Musahar in the city, Badr uses his grandfather’s drum, lantern and bamboo cane to gather local children and chant traditional songs, recreating the festive spirit of Ramadan.
The series also recreates the atmosphere of the Emirati freej — the traditional neighbourhood that once formed the centre of community life — highlighting local dialects, traditions and the sense of belonging that defined these spaces.
All 15 episodes will be broadcast on Dubai Culture’s official YouTube channel and are designed to appeal to audiences of all ages.
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, said the project reflects the role of animation in connecting younger generations with their cultural roots.
Al Suwaidi added: “This series is a valuable addition to the local creative landscape, showcasing the capabilities of Emirati talent in producing content that draws from the traditions of the holy month and reintroduces them in a way that emphasises local identity and social cohesion. This aligns with Dubai Culture’s mandate to support the animation industry as part of the wider arts ecosystem, while continuing to nurture writers, directors, and content creators. Through such initiatives, we reinforce Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent, conveying meaningful messages that strengthen national pride among future generations.”
Director Haider Mohammed said, “I would like to thank Dubai Culture for its support and trust in this project. Preserving folk heritage and presenting it to new generations in ways that resonate with their interests is both a cultural and artistic responsibility. Today, we need works created for families and children that introduce them to the beauty of our customs and traditions through a contemporary visual language that combines entertainment with meaning.”
He added, “The animated series Badr Al Musahar seeks to reconnect the younger generation with the spirit of the Emirati freej and the warm atmosphere of Ramadan, filled with a sense of Wulfa and togetherness. It reminds us that progress does not mean abandoning our heritage; instead, it can become a new way of reviving and carrying it forward into the future.”
