Tima Shomali and Rakeen Saad on Netflix's AlRawabi School for Girls: "All girls struggle the same"

William Mullally speaks with Tima Shomali, the creator of AlRawabi School For Girls, Netflix's second Arabic original series, as well as star Rakeen Saad, about why the series is about showing the world that young girls all struggle in similar ways, diving into some of the taboos of Arab culture, as well as their freindship dating back to FemaleShow.

[@LlamaCourt]

I’m so happy to see an interview with these talented Jordanian women!! 👏I really enjoyed watching AlRawabi School for Girls 💖

[@fugcxshjiokyff8611]

Half of thim is Palestinians

[@miraelbolok3613]

rakeen is egyptian

[@laurenx2183]

@@miraelbolok3613 no, she’s Jordanian

[@IEXECUTIVE]

Would you say the show was representative of what Jordanian girls go through?

[@cassandraclarke7667]

Omg this was sooooo good 😩😭😭😭 we need season 2 …. I need to know !!!

[@yeseniaortega8351]

I'm so glad for an English interview!

[@joeduru7582]

bout time we saw an interview...hoping for a season 2 hopefullu

[@illicitveniceb]

season 2 was so damn good

[@scattered9brain]

I am so proud of them they should know how much this show means to every single young lady who can relate to it 💕💕💕

[@yeseniaortega8351]

"No matter where you are from the struggles are the same." I Love this!!!!!

[@VahidNesro]

Loved the show!

[@HeySay3]

OMG Rakeen is so articulate!!!

[@hajer5598]

AlRawabi explained: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYTJoWSVraySb8k

[@8181k]

The struggles are not the same. It's disappointing the show's creators have such a shallow and cliché take on their own story. The series illustrated how girls in conservative countries like Jordan have unique challenges that don't exist in liberal societies. Specifically the purity culture that prevails in the modern middle east. Meriam's revenge plots against each of the three bullies relied on shaming them for improper behavior according to their society's strict rules. Her plots would not have been possible in a liberal society since the bullies would not have been shamed for simply mixing with boys. They wouldn't get in trouble for that. And the fact that Meriam starts out the series as a strong feminist and yet decides to weaponize misogyny against her tormenters makes it all the more ironic. She went against her own principles for the sake of vengeance, with tragic consequences.

[@sp691]

astute analysis. also, we saw in the show (and we see in real life) how certain girls are more likely to get bullied due to their sexuality, weight, appearances, status, etc. Patriarchy ultimately effects all of their lives and i could see how certain parts of the show would still be applicable to western women but overall there's definitely unique factors at play