MTV Arabia to drop music videos in Ramadan

QUIET PERIOD: MTV Arabia is dropping music videos during the month of Ramadan.

MTV Arabia, the Middle East’s youth entertainment and lifestyle channel, has announced it will mark Ramadan by dropping music videos.

The channel, which launched in November, has brought the Arab world cutting-edge international music as well as the best in Arabic pop and hip hop.

But its Ramadan fare will reflect the solemnity of the Holy Month, according to Samr Al Mazouqi, the channel’s manager.

He said: “The Holy Month is a time for introspection, and we would like to offer our viewers a break from the ordinary fare.

"Though part of a global brand, MTV Arabia is conscious of regional sensitivities and we are keen to respond to the needs and desires of viewers in the Middle East, the vast majority of whom will be fasting, spending time with family, and focusing on their spiritual lives.”

The channel will continue to play programmes from MTV’s international roster of reality shows, celebrity news and pop culture documentaries.

As is customary with television channels across the region, MTV Arabia will air the call to prayer during Maghreb.

A free to air channel, MTV Arabia broadcasts from Dubai and is available on the Nilesat and Arabsat platforms.

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MTV = Music Television
Posted by Ziad Al-Duaij, Kuwait City, Kuwait on Monday 1 September 2008 at 18:46 UAE time


Even though MTV in the US barely plays any videos anymore, I consider this move by MTV Arabia to be the height of hypocrisy. Arabic music channels like Melody and Mazzika continue to play videos on during Ramadan.. and now MTV - a division of Viacom - is playing "holier than thou"??

You can tone down the racier content a bit, but to decree all music videos as inappropriate is just plain stupid. And whose sensitivities are you offending anyway? Religious people don't watch MTV in the first place!!

Someone should get Sumner Redstone to fire this Sami Al-Marzouqi immediately!!

MTV
Posted by Ali, Beirut, Lebanon on Wednesday 27 August 2008 at 11:18 UAE time

What happened with the freedom of choice? If i want to celebrate Ramadan then I will but if don't I don't. So is MTV forcing me to become religious?!
If you don't want to watch the channel then don't! What happened to that choice?! Most satellites come with remote controls.

Why Debate
Posted by Ayesha, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 27 August 2008 at 11:07 UAE time

I am not sure what the debate here is for...... If you want to watch music videos there are other channels fulfilling your demands. Watch them. Those who dont want to - dont want too.

Positive move
Posted by Abdullatif, Dubai, U.A.E on Wednesday 27 August 2008 at 10:24 UAE time

I totally support the move by MTV arabia ... It is broadcasting in an Islamic country and the most of the nilesat and arabsat viewers are from the Arab country who respect the month of Ramadan. I hope all the other channels do the same. If we do not respect ourselves how do we expect others to respect us? Good leading MTV - All the arabic music channels needs to follow.

Re: How Could
Posted by Alaa banna, Jordan on Wednesday 27 August 2008 at 08:24 UAE time

Well, do you think it is neither normal or acceptable for MTV to play live from the Vatican during Christmas? or maybe to stop playing MUSIC and turn into some chants?

With respect to all religions, this is a Music channel, and it will be very strange for it NOT to play music!

When a news channel decides to stop playing news during some religious events that lasts for a month, Everyone will see how strange such a decision is.. My opinion is this is totally naive, and I think MTV would never do such a thing without the pressure of some religious sponsors.

NOD
Posted by Saad Zafar, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 26 August 2008 at 18:10 UAE time


This is certainly very sensitive of them and I believe its the first time any music channel has ever done such a thing. I must congratulate them on this move!

Where are we?
Posted by Marwa, Kuwait, Kuwait on Tuesday 26 August 2008 at 17:46 UAE time

To be culturally aware and sensitive is good, but I think this decision to ban all videos for Ramadan has gone beyond that. Good thing MTV Arabia is an unpaid channel.

Love you MTV
Posted by Ayesha, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 26 August 2008 at 17:22 UAE time


MTV You Rock - Good show. I think this can also be taken as an example for others to show some respect to other religions, cultures and heritage.
After all, its just 1 month.

A very good move from MTV
Posted by Ahmad, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 26 August 2008 at 14:44 UAE time


I think this is a very good move from MTV arabia as it shows that it respects the local culture and Mulslims world wide.

Re: How Could
Posted by Samer, Dubai on Tuesday 26 August 2008 at 11:54 UAE time

"How could MTV be influenced by religious views?
This isn't right!"

During holidays, MTV airs and celebrates Christmas with Christmas videos and messages in the spirit of the occasion. Its also the same with Dewali with MTV India and other religious occasions elsewhere.

I don't see a reason why the same thing shouldn't be applicable for Muslims in Ramadan?!

How Could?
Posted by Alaa banna, Jordan on Tuesday 26 August 2008 at 10:56 UAE time

How could MTV be influenced by religious views?
This isn't right!

It isn't really complicated, viewers who don't want to view a videos should switch to another channel or even switch off the TV, this is a break for a viewers freedom.

I never thought a channel like MTV can do this!
What about people of other religions? What about non-religious people?!

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