If you have a Netflix account, you have surely seen this Arab reality show which has created a real international craze, captivating millions of viewers, particularly in Morocco where the phenomenon has spread widely. Where does this passion of Moroccans for this “blind dating” program come from?
Described as a social experiment, the series, which stems from an American concept, follows single men and women from the Arab world, notably Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Arab Emirates. United, who meet blindly in “pods” where they can only hear their partner’s voice.
Couples only meet if they make a genuine connection over the course of 10 days of dating and decide to get engaged, “without seeing each other.” The couples are then taken on a romantic vacation where they get used to seeing their fiancé in front of them. They then have a limited number of weeks to get to know their partner in the flesh and decide if they are compatible enough to proceed with their marriage.
The original American version first aired in February 2020 and was an immediate success; 30 million viewers watched the first season. Netflix capitalized on this popularity by releasing equivalent series in Brazil, England, Japan and Sweden.
The UAE spin-off follows the original premise of the series with Arab singles looking for love.
Despite the success of the original series which has seven seasons and a myriad of international editions, Love Is Blind, Habibi has taken over as the best version against its Western and Eastern counterparts, as claimed by the online community. Clearly, the impact of the spin-off series managed to shake the ground.
A particular interest in Morocco
Since its major announcement earlier this year, the Middle East, Morocco, and the world have been in a frenzy over how the series would unfold in a traditional, culture-driven society.
Never wavering in expectation and anticipation, Love Is Blind, Habibi quickly rose to the top of the charts for its effortless portrayal that blends the usual aspects of the pod-romance routine while paying homage to the rich traditions of the Arab world .
In Morocco, reality TV has enjoyed resounding success, rising to the top position of the most watched series on Netflix for many weeks.
The amorous adventures of Simo, Hajar and Dounia, all of Moroccan origin, captivated the Moroccan public who were on the lookout, commenting with fervor episode by episode and each one had their own little comment.
Moroccan participants strongly criticized
Hajar and Simo, two Moroccan participants in the “Love is Blind Habibi” adventure, were not unanimous among the spectators, although they both created a strong bond between them, which led to their engagement.
Indeed, their relationship was full of ups and downs. Things between Simo and Hajar turned sour after the 34-year-old retail business owner and entrepreneur got into a fight with Chafic, another suitor of Lebanese descent. All this happened because Simo told Dounia, Chafic’s fiancée, about Chafic’s former relationship with Nour, another contestant. During the fight, Hajar chose not to get involved.
In the fifth episode, Simo left the show without informing Hajar. His reason? Simo was upset that Hajar didn’t defend him. Hajar’s lack of support led him to the final decision. A situation which has divided Internet users, some support Simo’s decision while others accuse him of a certain lack of consideration and empathy. In short, the two candidates were described as the most “toxic” and “problematic” on the show.
The traditions of the Arab world in the spotlight
Despite problematic personality traits in certain candidates such as Simo criticized for his impulsiveness, Ammar for his machismo or even Nour for his superficiality, the concept seems to have, in short, appealed in Morocco, particularly for its traditional side.
Indeed, if the American version openly explores intimate themes, the Habibi version places more emphasis on traditional values. No mixed roommates before marriage and no racy discussions on the screen. It’s a more sober version, but which brings its share of strong emotions.
Viewers were able to see each couple’s respective cultures beyond the pods. Pre-wedding traditions such as henna parties, a lively gathering for women before the wedding.
By bringing in more traditional values, the series also highlighted the family’s participation in the engagement process.
Overall, “Love is Blind Habibi” doesn’t reinvent the wheel in any meaningful way. Most candidates fail to dig deep, primarily due to the superficial design of the experience and not necessarily because of any major personality flaws.
With its regional and international success, the show’s cast members became stars, eventually developing their own fan bases, and noticeably improved their social media followings.
If you haven’t had a chance to check out this show yet, it’s time to catch up, as “Love is Blind Habibi” offers drama, pranks and intrigue galore. .
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