Iftah Ya Simsim
Iftah Ya Simsim (; meaning "Open Sesame") is the first international co-production of the American children's television series "Sesame Street" created in the Arab world. It premiered in Kuwait on September 14, 1979 and was broadcast in 22 Arabic-speaking countries, running until April 6, 1990. The program continued to be well-known decades after it went off the air. In 1978, educators, mass media officers, and social planners agreed to adopt "Sesame Street" as a feasible and economical solution for the low attendance in preschools and illiteracy that plagued the region. They approached the Children's Television Workshop (CTW), the producers of the American show, and purchased the rights to create an Arab version for US$2.5 million.
Haitham Yousif
Yousif was initially featured on Mix tapes from "Casablanca" (an Iraqi music production company). His first song "Ma Asalhak" was viewed on Iraqi TV in 1989. His breakthrough single "Ya Nas" ("O people") in 1992, gave him success. His first album titled "Ya Nas" was released in 1993 with the song "Ya Nas" chosen in 1994 TV poll as the best Iraqi song of that year, That same year he was also chosen Iraqi singer of the year.