DUBAI: Comedian and actor Ramy Youssef has appeared on the long-running children’s program “Sesame Street” as part of Arab American Heritage Month celebrations in the US.
In a short section alongside beloved character Elmo, Youssef introduced young viewers to commonly used Arabic words in a playful and accessible way. The Egyptian American star began with “salam alaykum,” explaining that “salam” means peace and that the phrase is widely used as a greeting across Arabic-speaking communities. He also taught Elmo the word “habibi,” describing it as a term used for a “special friend.”
The short clip forms part of the program’s wider efforts to mark cultural occasions and highlight diverse communities through its educational content. During the section, Youssef said: “I’m so proud of my Arab heritage and I’m so happy to share this month with my fellow Arabs and Elmo. So, thanks habibi.”
Sharing the video on social media, the official Sesame Street TikTok account captioned the post, saying: “The word of the day is HABIBI! Happy #ArabAmericanHeritageMonth from Ramy Youssef, Elmo, and all of your friends on Sesame Street!”
“Sesame Street” has a long history of incorporating cultural education into its programming, regularly marking heritage months and spotlighting different communities for its global audience. The show has also expanded internationally, including Arabic-language adaptations aimed at introducing regional culture and language to younger viewers.
