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World Service

The TV drama that shocked the Arab world

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15/06/2025 04:01 GMT

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The Documentary

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15/06/2025 GMT

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15/06/2025 06:01 GMT

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15/06/2025 GMT

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15/06/2025 07:01 GMT

Earlier this year, the Egyptian TV drama Lam Shamseya aired across the Arab world. It tackled sensitive topics, including child sexual abuse, and sparked difficult conversations in society. Faranak Amidi discusses the issues raised by this hit show with Ahmed Abdallah from BBC Arabic.

If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers . Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org. In the UK a list of organisations that can help is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Plus, Wycliffe Muia from BBC Africa explains why Uganda's iconic crested crane is endangered, and Mansur Abubakar, also from BBC Africa, meets one of the very few women driving kekes, small three-wheeled vehicles that people use as cabs, in the Nigerian city of Kano.

This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world.

Presented by Faranak Amidi

Produced by Alice Gioia, Hannah Dean and Caroline Ferguson

(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)