Group photo of four Muppets from Ahlan Simsim smiling and posing together amongst historic ruins.

Ahlan Simsim

A Groundbreaking Arabic “Welcome Sesame.”

Join in on a chance to change the course of a generation.

Ahlan Simsim—“Welcome Sesame” in Arabic—offers a warm and joyful welcome to early learning to young children across the Middle East, especially those affected by displacement.

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Check out the latest clips from Ahlan Simsim.

Ahlan Simsim is part of a broader humanitarian program that aims to address the devastating impacts of crisis and displacement by delivering early learning and nurturing care to children and caregivers affected by the Syrian refugee crisis.

Elmo’s World News: Screen Time Play, Real Time Play

Elmo’s World News: Screen Time Play, Real Time Play

Elmo, Basma, and Jad learn how taking breaks from digital devices is important.

Mae’s Minute: Wellness Tips

Mae’s Minute: Wellness Tips

Elmo’s mommy talks to her friend Dr. Gupta about mental wellness.

Change Those Feelings

Change Those Feelings

Cookie Monster has some big feelings, but his friend Raya helps to make him feel better.

Do You Know the Answer?

Do You Know the Answer?

Aref quizzes Salma and Elmo to guess the words that begin with the letter “F”

Basma and Jad making a friend smile.
Featured Initiative
Ahlan Simsim Initiative
A transformational program from Sesame Workshop and the International Rescue Committee that integrates direct services for families affected by conflict and crisis with engaging educational media.
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Featured Curriculum
Teaching Emotional ABCs
Ahlan Simsim teaches children to manage their big feelings by practicing concrete strategies such as counting to five, belly breathing, and expression through art. Ahlan Simsim was also designed to meet children’s literacy and numeracy learning needs while many schools and early childhood programs were interrupted.

Show Characters

Meet the Muppets from Ahlan Simsim.

Basma.

Basma

Basma is a gregarious purple monster who loves new experiences. She’s a born performer and has a special ability to create music and sound effects, which comes in handy when she can’t quite find the words to express herself.

Jad.

Jad

Jad is a creative yellow monster who expresses himself through visual art and has the special skill of painting in mid-air using his grandfather’s paintbrush. Jad is a natural organizer—before he does anything, he likes to think it through and make a plan!

Mazooza running.

Ma’zooza

Ma’zooza is a sweet baby goat who loves Basma and Jad very much. She doesn’t speak yet, but “maaas” to express herself. Ma’zooza loves things that are round—when she locks her eyes on something round or circular, her ears perk up… and she’ll try to eat it!

Ameera

Ameera

Ameera is a witty, inquisitive 8-year-old girl with a passion for science and basketball. She also has a great sense of humor, which serves her well as a natural leader.

Pictogram of an Earth with heart.
Featured Press Release
Sesame Workshop Debuts New Muppet

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street and local adaptations around the world, is unveiling a new Muppet character as part of its work to support children and families affected by crisis and displacement
Basma pulling on a big turnip.
Featured Resource
A Big Turnip

In this book, Basma is determined to grow a very large turnip. Read this story to a child to help them learn about the importance of patience.
Related Resources

Explore more games, activities, and fun from Ahlansimsim.org.

Pictogram of a crayon drawing.

Alphabet Poster

In this poster, you will find the letters of the Arabic alphabet and pictures of objects that begin with each letter.
Pictogram of a paintbrush and palette.

Character Cutouts

Glue these facial features of Ahlan Simsim characters on paper bags or other materials to make paper bag puppets at home.
Pictogram of a book with a heart on the cover.

Raya and Elmo: Team Healthy

In this book, Raya decides to fight germs with Elmo and many friends join them.

Pictogram of a crayon drawing.

SEL Worksheets

This set of worksheets presents social-emotional concepts to children in fun and interesting way.

Pictogram of a book with a heart on the cover.

The Biggest Wool Ball in the World

Children sometimes experience situations that make them feel frustrated. It’s important that children learn ways to manage frustration and continue to problem solve, as these are skills they will need throughout their lives.
87%

Parents

Reported that Ahlan Simsim episodes taught their child new emotion vocabulary.

Cookie Monster.
83%
of parents agreed that their child was applying the emotion management strategies taught in the show