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Draft:Ishafan

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Ishafan
GenreComedy
Created bySultan Al Shaer (Writer), Mohammed Al Junaibi (Screenwriter)
Directed byAhmed Mankoush
Starring
  • Sultan Al Shaer
  • Mohammed Al Junaibi
  • Mohammed Yaseen
  • Saeed Al Nuaimi
  • Raihana Al Tamri
  • Mariam Ahmed
  • Saeed bin Afssan
  • Abdullah Al Munai
  • Razika Al Tarsh
  • Saeed Al Mazrouei
  • Mohammed Rashid
Country of originUnited Arab Emirates
Original languageArabic (Emirati Dialect)
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes26
Production
Running time48 minutes
Production companyAbu Dhabi TV
Original release
NetworkAbu Dhabi TV
ReleaseAugust 5, 1978 (1978-08-05)

Introduction

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Ishafan is a classic Emirati television comedy series that first aired on August 5, 1978. The series, set in a traditional Emirati village, follows the life of Ishafan, a man infamous for his extreme stinginess. The show is recognized for its humorous portrayal of village life and the exploration of social norms in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the late 1970s.

Plot Summary

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The series revolves around Ishafan, a character whose excessive frugality often leads him into various comical situations. Set in a small Emirati village, the show captures the essence of traditional life in the UAE, depicting how Ishafan’s actions affect his relationships with friends, family, and the wider community. Each episode presents a new challenge, usually driven by Ishafan's attempts to save money, with his friends and neighbors often devising schemes to exploit his stinginess for their amusement.

Cultural Significance

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"Ishafan" is one of the first comedy series produced in the UAE and played a significant role in shaping Gulf television comedy. The show provides a snapshot of Emirati culture at a time when the country was on the brink of rapid modernization due to its newfound oil wealth. Despite its comedic nature, the series offers insights into the values and social dynamics of Emirati society, making it a significant cultural artifact.

Reception

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"Ishafan" was well-received upon its release, quickly becoming a favorite among audiences in the UAE and other Gulf countries. The series is often praised for its humor and its authentic depiction of traditional Emirati village life. Critics have highlighted the show's ability to blend comedy with social commentary, making it a pioneering work in Gulf television. The character of Ishafan, portrayed by Sultan Al Shaer, became iconic, representing the humorous side of frugality and traditional values in Emirati culture.

Cast and Characters

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  • Sultan Al Shaer as Ishafan: The main character, known for his extreme stinginess, around whom the show’s comedic events revolve.
  • Mohammed Al Junaibi as Makdeet: Ishafan’s friend and occasional rival who often tricks Ishafan because of his frugality.
  • Mohammed Yaseen as Bu Tabr: A central figure in the village, often involved in pranks and humorous situations.
  • Saeed Al Nuaimi as The Judge: The village judge who resolves disputes and is sometimes caught up in Ishafan’s schemes.
  • Raihana Al Tamri as Um Harb: Ishafan’s wife, who suffers from his extreme frugality and participates in some of the comedic situations.
  • Mariam Ahmed as Roya Bint Ishafan: Ishafan’s daughter, who also deals with the consequences of her father’s stinginess.
  • Saeed bin Afssan as Musbah Al Mahsh: Ishafan’s brother, a simple man who seeks his share of the family wealth.
  • Abdullah Al Munai as Suwailim: A minor character who appears in some episodes, playing a role in Ishafan’s daily life.
  • Razika Al Tarsh as Meitha: A neighbor of Ishafan who is involved in some comedic situations.
  • Saeed Al Mazrouei as Um Khalfan: A secondary character used to highlight aspects of Ishafan's stinginess.
  • Mohammed Rashid as Al Karani: A character who appears in several episodes, involved in the daily life of Ishafan and his friends.
  • Mohammed Nader as Nasser bin Bu Tabr: The son of Bu Tabr, involved in some village incidents.
  • Mohammed Al Mutawa as Al Qa'oud: A secondary character who appears in various episodes.
  • Abdullah Muftah as Sultan Al Faqa' / Bilal / Owner of the Stolen Camel: He plays several minor roles throughout the series.
  • Jassim Obaid as Buisuf / Saeed Al Kira': He plays two different roles, with one being in comedic episodes.
  • Adel Ahmed as Harb: A minor character appearing in some episodes.
  • Mohammed Abdulrahman: Plays a minor role in various episodes, often involved in humorous situations.
  • Abdul Salam Abdul Aziz: Appears as a minor character in the village.
  • Eid Mousa: A secondary character in several episodes.
  • Jassim Fahad: Appears in a few episodes as a minor character.

Episodes

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Episodes of "Ishafan"
Episode Title Summary
1 Ishafan’s Donkey Ishafan, determined to save money, buys a sick donkey at a low price, hoping to minimize his expenses. However, his frugality backfires when the donkey dies, leaving him in a worse financial position. He tries to deceive the seller into refunding part of his money by claiming that the donkey has recovered.
2 The Poem Incident In an effort to earn some quick cash, Ishafan writes a poem to praise the village judge, encouraged by his friend Makdeet. However, when the judge interprets the poem as mockery, Ishafan finds himself punished rather than rewarded, teaching him that flattery can have unintended consequences.
3 The Feast Confusion Celebrating the birth of his child, Ishafan invites the villagers to a feast. However, Makdeet tricks him into believing the celebration is at another person’s house, leading Ishafan to miss his own feast. The episode highlights Ishafan’s gullibility and the ongoing prank war between him and Makdeet.
4 The Bet Ishafan bets Makdeet that he can outwit him in a game of trickery. Despite winning the bet, Makdeet retaliates by framing Ishafan for the theft of a camel. This episode showcases the lengths to which the characters go to outsmart each other, all in the name of greed and rivalry.
5 The Hidden Money Suwailim, looking to buy a house, is convinced by Makdeet to purchase Ishafan’s home. However, when Makdeet learns that Ishafan has hidden money under a tree in the desert, he plans to steal it. This episode emphasizes the constant battle between trust and deceit among the characters.
6 Spoiled Food Makdeet tricks Ishafan into accepting spoiled food, which he then distributes to the villagers. When the food causes illness, the judge fines Ishafan and Bu Tabr. This episode explores the consequences of Ishafan’s extreme frugality, as his attempts to save money end up costing him more.
7 Identity Theft Ishafan pretends to be Makdeet in order to steal goods from a merchant, but his plan backfires when the real Makdeet catches wind of the scheme. The episode highlights the dangers of deceit and the importance of identity in a closely-knit community.
8 The Wedding Ruse Ishafan is tricked into attending a fake wedding where the groom supposedly rewards those who tear clothes. After eagerly participating, Ishafan realizes too late that it was all a hoax, leaving him embarrassed and out of pocket.
9 The Feast Fiasco Determined to impress, Ishafan buys a cheap goat’s head to host a feast. However, his guests, including Makdeet, turn the event into a disaster by inviting more people than expected, resulting in Ishafan’s reputation taking a hit.
10 The Goat Dispute A family argument arises when Ishafan claims ownership of an inherited goat. Planning to ration the meat over several months, Ishafan’s stinginess leads to the goat’s death, causing tension and a loss of potential resources.
11 The Dowry Demand Ishafan demands an exorbitant dowry for his daughter’s marriage, insisting on controlling every aspect of the wedding. His tightfisted nature creates friction with his son-in-law, particularly when Ishafan refuses to help a sick man, leading to further community resentment.
12 The Wedding Jinx Fearing bad luck and envy, Ishafan’s brother seeks his help in keeping his upcoming marriage a secret. However, Ishafan’s meddling results in both brothers being accused of theft, showcasing how secrecy and suspicion can backfire in small communities.
13 The Doctor’s Visit Ishafan falls seriously ill after eating cheap food intended for animals, but his reluctance to spend money on a doctor’s visit leads to a worsening condition. The episode highlights the dangers of excessive frugality, especially when it comes to health.
14 The Apple Gift After being scolded by the judge for his poor dietary choices, Ishafan receives a visit from Makdeet, who offers him a basket of apples. Suspicious of Makdeet’s intentions, Ishafan locks him in his shop, believing it to be another trick.
15 The Stolen Shoes Ishafan invites his family over for dinner but, in a desperate attempt to save money, sells their shoes to pay for the meal. The scandal that ensues damages his already fragile reputation in the village.
16 The Beads Ishafan announces his wife’s pregnancy, expecting gifts from the villagers. However, Makdeet tricks him into accepting fake beads, leading to a public embarrassment when the truth is revealed.
17 The Return of the Son Ishafan’s estranged son, Da’an, returns to the village, expecting a warm welcome. Instead, he is met with his father’s characteristic stinginess, leading to strained family relations and a confrontation with his sister, who tries to make amends.
18 The Office Theft Desperate to cut costs, Ishafan steals office supplies from the village administration, but his actions lead to a legal investigation. The judge orders him to return the items and face the consequences, emphasizing the line between thriftiness and criminal behavior.
19 The Stone Pillow Ishafan takes a job at Bu Tabr’s café, where he is exploited by his friends who refuse to pay. At home, he shows his stinginess by giving his nephew a stone pillow instead of a proper one, leading to discomfort and complaints.
20 The Debt Ishafan scolds his son-in-law for spending lavishly on entertaining guests, leading to a family rift. Meanwhile, he panics when he learns that Makdeet, who owes him money, has fallen seriously ill, fearing he may never get his loan repaid.
21 The Fake Relatives Expecting wealthy relatives to visit, Ishafan is tricked by Makdeet and others who pretend to be his long-lost cousins. When the real relatives arrive, they are offended by Ishafan’s behavior and leave, further isolating him from the community.
22 The Hospitality Snub Ishafan’s relatives, offended by his stinginess, stay with Bu Tabr instead. When Ishafan tries to convince them to return to his home, they refuse, leaving him embarrassed and alone.
23 The Feast of Shame In an attempt to mend relations with his relatives, Ishafan sells their gift to buy a sheep for a feast. However, when they discover what he has done, they are outraged, leading to further humiliation for Ishafan.
24 The Stolen Furniture Ishafan buys new furniture to impress an important guest, but when it goes missing, he accuses Makdeet of theft. The episode explores themes of trust and betrayal in the tight-knit village community.
25 The New Marriage Ishafan decides to marry a second wife, Um Khalfan, causing tension with his first wife, Um Harb. The episode deals with the complexities of polygamy and familial relationships in a traditional setting.
26 The Wedding Gold In a final act of treachery, Makdeet tries to frame Um Khalfan for stealing wedding gold. Ishafan uncovers the truth just in time, ensuring a happy ending to the series as he marries Um Khalfan.
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References

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