Category: Arabic
‘Sesame Street’ teaches Elmo Arabic: ‘What does salam alaykum mean?’
In between the Cookie Monster explaining his favorite exercise and Elmo pretending to be a DJ with frisbees, “Sesame Street” took time to promote Arabic culture.
The formerly beloved children’s program put out a video celebrating “Arab-American Heritage Month” letting everyone know the word of the day is “habibi.”
‘Happy Arab-American Heritage Month, habibi.’
The word, a common term of affection often translated as “my dear,” was not only featured in the caption for the show’s social media push, but was featured in a video where Elmo learns Arabic along with viewers.
Sesame souk
New York comedian Ramy Youssef joined Elmo for the sketch; Youssef has Egyptian parents.
“Salam alaykum, everyone,” the comedian began, prompting questions from the muppet.
“Mr. Ramy, what does salam alaykum mean?”
Youssef explained that “salam means peace” and that the greeting is generally a “way to say hello.”
“Oh, cool,” Elmo replied, before repeating the greeting to the children. “Oh, salam alaykum everybody. … Happy Arab-American Heritage Month.”
Elmo and Youssef then dove into the “Sesame Street” word of the day to teach viewers another Arabic word.
RELATED: ‘Sesame Street’ targets children for Pride Month … again: ‘This should not be promoted to kids’
– YouTube
Muppet madrasa
In a video with 1.2 million views on TikTok, Youssef said, “‘I’m so proud of my Arab heritage, and I’m so happy to share this month with my fellow Arabs and Elmo. So, thanks, habibi.”
Elmo, who is neither Muslim nor a native Arabic speaker, again asked for the meaning of the word.
“Oh, it’s an Arabic word for a special friend,” the comedian replied.
“Really? Uh, well, happy Arab-American Heritage Month, habibi. We love you,” Elmo concluded.
The video might be more jarring if this type of content wasn’t part and parcel of “Sesame Street” in recent years.
The show has been heavily invested in promoting progressive politics to children, even extending that to dipping its furry toes into gender politics.
RELATED: ‘Elmo says ALL JEWS SHOULD DIE’: Elmo X account goes rabid, calls for genocide after alleged hack
BAY ISMOYO/AFP/Getty Images
Street smarts
In 2022, “Sesame Street” promoted gay and lesbian parents to children through a song, and in May 2020 it showcased Jonathan Van Ness, a man who claims to be nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns.
Other odd presentations have included Hispanic Heritage Month and “Sesame Street: The ABCs of COVID Vaccines.”
Youssef is reportedly a practicing Muslim and is married to a woman from Saudi Arabia.
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Sabrina Carpenter CLEARED of ‘Islamophobia’ after viral ululation confrontation
Pop songstress Sabrina Carpenter dared to express discontent with a different culture, and now she’s apologizing for it.
In fact, the young singer had no idea what she was making fun of at the time, but she has been properly re-educated since the incident.
‘I don’t like it.’
Swiss miss
It was Friday night at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, when Carpenter heard what she thought was “yodeling” from a member of the crowd.
“I think I heard someone yodel,” Carpenter said while seated at a piano. “Is that what you’re doing?” she asked.
“It’s Arab! It’s an Arab call!” an audience member can be heard yelling back.
“I don’t like it,” Carpenter firmly replied.
The 26-year-old offered an awkward smile as the audience member provided further explanation.
“It’s my culture!” they offered.
“That’s your culture, is yodeling?” the puzzled singer asked back.
Still the fan tried to culturally enrich the Quakertown, Pennsylvania, singer.
“It’s Arab, it’s a call. It’s a call of celebration,” they went on, according to 7News Australia.
Seemingly ready to end the exchange, Carpenter jumped in, “Is this Burning Man? What’s going on? This is weird.”
Trilling tales
Fortunately, the internet stepped in to educate Carpenter, noting that the ululation she heard is called a zaghrouta.
A helpful community note on X described the screams as a “pre-Islamic cultural expression of joy used by Arabs across religions, including Christians, at celebrations.”
It added, “It is not an Islamic practice, so Sabrina Carpenter’s reaction to the sound does not indicate islamophobia.”
OK, but what about … Arabaphobia? A few cultural commissars tried to make the charge stick, but for the most part, fans were happy to chalk it all up to a misunderstanding.
Carpenter offered a playful apology on her X page, saying that she would welcome any further cultural cries, or yodels, in the future:
“My apologies i didn’t see this person with my eyes and couldn’t hear clearly,” she wrote. “My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill intended. could have handled it better! now i know what a Zaghrouta is! I welcome all cheers and yodels from here on out.”
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Kevin Mazur/Getty Images/The Recording Academy
ICE-capades
Carpenter has not shied away from controversial interactions, especially of the political nature.
In December, she demanded the White House cease using her music in a video that showed people getting arrested, presumably illegal immigrants.
“This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda,” Carpenter replied,
The singer also offered voter registration during her 2024 tour, registering more than 35,000 voters and officially engaging with more than 260,000, according to Variety.
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