DOHA: Al Jazeera Children's Channel (JCC) will attempt to bring Qatar to Malaysia and later to the world through its new 3D animated series called 'Salaheldine'.
Mahmoud Bouneb, JCC Executive General Manager, announced this during a reception held for visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday at the JCC.
Badawi's visit to the JCC provided him and the entire Malaysian delegation an opportunity to tour the Qatar Foundation. The delegation and the local and Malaysian media were treated to a five-minute sneak peek at the much-anticipated series.
"This is the first time this animation will be shown to the public, to the local and Malaysian media and we're proud to show this to Prime Minister Badawi and his delegation," Bouneb said prior to the screening.
Bouneb expressed his gratitude to the Malaysian government through Badawi. "This is Qatar's first co-production with a Malaysian company and this is the first time in my career that the head of the government is very keen to know the development of the project," Bouneb said.
He extolled Malaysia's competitiveness in developing animation as compared to other Asian countries because of direct support from the government. The JCC is working with Multimedia Development Corporation, which is owned and funded by the Malaysian government, to coordinate, promote and develop the country's information technology industry.
Costing a staggering $15m, the ambitious undertaking will set a mark in the history of animation in Qatar and in the Muslim world with the support of Qatar Foundation under H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned.
Set for release next year, the ongoing animated series project comprises 26 episodes; 13 of which have been finished. The artistic and editorial work is over and Malaysia and JCC are jointly producing it.
It tells the story of Salaheldine, a hero inspired by a celebrated leader. The hero is set to capture children's and even adults' attention in his pursuit of his dream of uniting his people in battle and delivering them from enemies. It would be released both in English in Arabic in Qatar and later worldwide.
By Raynald Rivera
© The Peninsula 2009
