''Zaman Al'ar'' () is a Syrian drama that aired during the

Ramadan Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (''Fasting in Islam, sawm''), communal prayer (salah), reflection, and community. It is also the month in which the Quran is believed ...

season of 2009, starring

Sulafa Memar Sulafa Refaat Memar () is a Syrian actress. She began her career in 1994 and studied at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus. She performs in TV and cinema and won Best Arab actress award in Oran Arab Film Festival for her role in ...

, Taim Hasan,

Bassam Kousa Bassam Kousa (; born 7 November 1954) is a Syrian Syrians () are the majority inhabitants of Syria, indigenous to the Levant, most of whom have Arabic, especially its Levantine and Mesopotamian dialects, as a mother tongue. The cultural an ...

Muna Wassef Muna Wassef (also spelled Mona Wasef) (; born 9 February 1942) is a Syrian 1/2Kurdish/ 1/2 Christian Valley stage, film and television actress. She is also a United Nations Goodwill ambassador. She is an icon in the Arab world and the Middle E ...

and Khaled Taja among many other

Syrian Syrians () are the majority inhabitants of Syria, indigenous to the Levant, most of whom have Arabic, especially its Levantine and Mesopotamian dialects, as a mother tongue. The cultural and linguistic heritage of the Syrian people is a blend ...

actors. The series was created by Hassan Sami Yusuf and directed by Rasha Shurbatji. It discussed the concepts of honor, disgrace, and shame in Arab societies, specifically in the Syrian

middle class The middle class refers to a class of people in the middle of a social hierarchy, often defined by occupation, income, education, or social status. The term has historically been associated with modernity, capitalism and political debate. C ...

. The drama also primarily discussed the topic of Customary Marriage and linked this concept to virginity and the issues women face when the enter such marriage.

Plot

The series revolves around Buthaina, an inexperienced woman over the age of thirty, who has dedicated her youth to serving her chronically ill mother, who was kept in bed for 11 years. Buthaina's dedication to her mother's care caused her isolation from the outside world and deprived her of her femininity and the fulfillment of her dreams as a woman in obtaining a husband, home and family. She suddenly finds herself in front of Jamil, the husband of her only friend Sabah, and her outlet to society, who ignites her feelings and sparks her forgotten femininity. Jamil actively pursues Buthaina and persuades her to secretly marry him without the knowledge of her family or his. Their secret marriage is only customary and not official; therefore, it is not recognized by the state or the society as it is

Nikah 'urfi ''Nikah 'urfi'' () is a "customary arriage contractthat commonly requires a ''walī'' (guardian) and witnesses but not to be officially registered with state authorities. Couples repeat the words, "We got married" and pledge commitment, althou ...

. Buthaina's innocence is challenged when she finds herself in a dilemma when Jamil asks her to consummate their marriage. Buthaina reluctantly agrees and loses her virginity and subsequently becomes pregnant only to find herself facing her society and a set of values and concepts that criminalize her act; especially since she burnt and destroyed both copies of her "marriage contract" before finding out that she is pregnant.

References

* Syrian television series 2009 Syrian television series debuts {{Asia-tv-stub

Plot

See also

References