Straight from the Middle East and considered the Arabic version of “Mean Girls” or “Gossip Girl,” “Al Rawabi School for Girls” claims the title of the best series of the season. Created by Jordanian Tima Shomali, this drama, which aired at the beginning of September, promotes several themes such as school bullying, sexual harassment, patriarchy, and violence against women.
The story narrates the ordeal of a teenager (Mariam) bullied by a group of high school girls (Rania, Layan, and Roqayya) in a prestigious school in the Arab world. She decides to team up with other girls (Noaf and Dina) who are experiencing the same fate, to take revenge. Since its release, feelings on social media have been mixed, with some praising the script and others criticizing a poor representation of Jordanian society.
Beyond the challenging themes, Alrawabi School for Girls also highlights taboo subjects in the Arab world. From the rules of good families to follow, which are not always obeyed, such as going out after curfew, dating a boy outside of religious guidelines, dressing in revealing clothes, or neglecting to wear the veil.
Roqayya struggles with wearing the hijab and is judged by her family and community for taking a selfie with her hair showing. Her mother blames her for bringing shame to the family, saying “A girl’s reputation is everything she has”. “It’s like glass. Once broken, it cannot be repaired”, her mother tells her. The theme of family honor is further emphasized when Rania is beaten by her father for staying out past curfew during her school trip.
Layan, on the other hand, is exposed by her brother when he catches her alone with a boy, questioning “What will people say?” once again highlighting the family’s honor. From sympathy to anger, the feelings towards the characters vary in each episode, thus keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
