The race to Ramadan TV series has begun! And the channels have already started competing and thinking of which series to buy and which series might bring in more ratings and more viewers!

Well, if you're a fan of Syrian actor Duraid Lahham or Lebanese star Nadine Al Rassi, then you're in luck, because the two have teamed up for a series entitled "Sanaaoud Ba3da Qalil" or We"ll Be Right Back.

The series sheds light on the crisis in Syria in a neutral and objective way.
It shows the plight of ordinary people during the war.

Beep…Beep!!!
“Come on, get out of the way, I’m fasting here!!”

I’m sure you’ve heard that on before!
I just want to know, what is it about Ramadan that drives people crazy?
You would think that logically, if you’re fasting then you wouldn’t have enough energy to go insane, shout, fight and honk all the time. It seems fasting reveals some hidden force inside people! A kind of magical energy reserved only for bad language, shouting and frustration!
I’m no expert but that’s not the way a good Muslim society should be acting during this holy month!
Every culture has a religious period of some kind but they are characterized by calm, peace and quiet. Why can’t we?

Unfortunately perhaps just like prayer and worship are an important part of Ramadan, tents are to some people equally integral. But there are several types of Ramadan tents, and it will be interesting to hear from you the readers which –if any- you prefer! There are of course the community service tents in which food is handed out to the poor, but as is the case with most things havoc prevails in these tents with people trying to grab extra meals.

I hear a lot of people saying that there’s no time to do anything during Ramadan…
“Oh, I want to go to cut my hair but there’s no time…”
“Oh, I can’t get all of my work done … there’s not time…”
Oh this and Oh that!!!

Well, for those of you who are still convinced that time flies by so quickly… I would just like to remind you that Ramadan isn’t a special time zone! Neither is it a hole in the space-time continuum…and it’s definitely not a loophole in Einstein’s theory of time and space.

Today is the first day of Ramadan in many countries around the world. But like last year, Ramadan is different! While bloodshed has relatively stopped in Libya, it continues in Syria and it doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon... Bashar Al-Assad is still in denial and his profile is soon to be updated on Wikipedia pages with either ex-president or the late ... I believe it's up to him!

It's true that days during this Ramadan will be the longest and probably the hottest, however comparing that with the suffering of people in Syria and the hard life of the unfortunate around the world... longs days and heat are manageable and shouldn't be an excuse!

Another year, another Ramadan ... but this year it's a tad bit different.
This year our brothers and sisters in many Arab countries are suffering and won't be enjoying the Holy month of Ramadan as they might have in past years; Syria, Yemen and Libya. We add these three countries to a long list that starts with Palestine and ends with Somalia.

These difficult circumstances that are passing over the Arab world, should make us more aware of the importance of a month like Ramadan; keeping the unfortunate in our prayers, remembering to help each other, controlling our anger and staying away from violence and finally enjoying every minute with our loved ones and thanking God for every little blessing, for everything is a blessing but few realize it. Just think of the children suffering from malnutrition and famine in Somalia today ... and think, isn't that bowl of olives and piece of bread on your kitchen table a blessing?

The Holy month of Ramadan has knocked our doors once again and we've let him in with arms wide open and with hearts warm with love.
As it has been for centuries, this months is a chance for us all to remember and do our best to help the unlucky ones; the poor, the hungry and the rest of the unfortunates all over the world.

Another year has passed and unfortunately no peace has been reached in war-stricken areas across th globe, most importantly for us, here in the Middle East, Palestine and Iraq.
We pray to God, with pure hearts and with strong belief, that he brings peace and tranquility to Palestine and Iraq and to bring an end to the suffering of our brothers and sisters there.

In a very controversial announcement by the Islamic Association in Germany it was announced that football players will be exempt from fasting during Ramadhan where they have to play a game! They claim that Islam encouraged us to take care of our bodies and being able to eat and drink is essential for those football players who are running around during a game. Perhaps more controversially is the fact that the Azhar in Cairo has supported this fatwa.

What is the most interesting thing you did during the first week of Ramadan?

For the past few years, days before the Holy month of Ramadan begins, TV channels start advertising their Ramadan schedule.
The grid contains religious programs and talk shows, but the majority of the grid is full of TV series, whether Egyptian, Syrian or Khaliji.
It has become a norm that Ramadan is the month of TV series and the champion is the person one who can fit in as many series as possible per day!
I know of a person who was bragging that she managed to watch 10 series during Ramadan! Kudos Wallah!

Since it's the first day of Ramadan today and I'm feeling VERY hungry already, the only thing I can think of is food!
I'm wondering what you're having for Iftar tonight?
Our Iftar menu has to have soup, Fatoush or some other kind of Arabic salad, crunchy Sambousek and a main dish.
I think tonight we're having stuffed Zucchini in yogurt. Yum-O!
So, what are you having for Iftar tonight?

This is a video of president Obama addressing Muslims all over the world and congratulating them on the occasion of the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan.

Video after the jump

The Holy month of Ramadan begins tomorrow and on that blessed occasion, we at Waleg would like to wish all the Muslims of the world all the best and lots of health.

Remember, always keep the poor and needy in your prayers and in your good deeds.

Ramadan Mubarak to everyone.

The second season of Syrian TV series Beit Jeddi is also known as Al Sham Al Adyia. Yes, it is the same series with two different names, we got confused at the beginning when Rotana aired the first teasers, calling the series sometimes Beit Jeddi 2 and some other times Al Sham Al Adyia!

I liked the first season of Beit Jeddi and though I feel sad that Abu Antar (Naji Jaber) won't be part of the second season because he passed away 5 months ago... the series seems very promising, especially with the new character of Abu Hijaz that the writer Marwan Al Kaouq has brought into the series.

If you didn't hear about Al Sham Al Adyia or watched any of the teasers, here are some photos and videos of it:

Photos from Beit Jeddi 2 or Al Sham Al Adyia

Videos:
- Teaser of Beit Jeddi 2 or Al Sham Al Adyia
- Interview with Samer Al Masri About Beit Jeddi 2
- Intro Song of Beit Jeddi 2 [By Assi Al Helani]