Toyor Al-Janah (Arabic: طيور الجنة; translated: "Birds of Heaven") is a satellite TV channel specialized for children, launched in 2008 via the Nilesat satellite, and is currently available on the Arabsat satellite. The channel is known for its children's songs and programs, and it relies on child presenters to easily communicate with young viewers through their peers, with their movements, playfulness, innocence, smiles, and interests. The channel's program is also characterized by a family atmosphere, helping children to see themselves through the stars of Toyor Al-Janah on the small screen.[1]
| Type | Children's channel |
|---|---|
| Country | Jordan |
| Broadcast area | The Arab world |
| Headquarters | Amman, Jordan |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | Arabic |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Khaled Mekdad |
| Sister channels | Toyor Baby |
| History | |
| Launched | January 25, 2008 |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
Toyor Al-Janah troupe traveled to most Arab countries, presenting shows and singing in front of live audiences.
Associated channels
editToyor Baby: A satellite channel aimed at children, managed and supervised by Khaled Miqdad, based in Amman, Jordan, with broadcasts from Bahrain. The channel offers songs and anthems for children.[2]
On YouTube
Toyor Baby English: Toyor Al-Janah channel launched an English version of Toyor Baby, offering songs targeted at English-speaking children, continuing the channel's creative journey and reaching audiences around the world.[3]
Toyor Baby Turkish: Toyor Al-Janah media group launched its new YouTube channel for Turkish-speaking audiences under the name “Bebek.” The new channel offers a large collection of exclusive children's songs produced by Toyor Al-Janah.[4]
Toyor Al-Janah French: Continuing its educational and entertaining mission, Toyor Al-Janah media group launched its new YouTube channel in French.
History
editIn 1994, the Palestinian Jordanian Khaled Maqdad founded the children's choir Toyor al-Janah, which became highly successful. In 2008, Maqdad established the television channel of the same name. The headquarters is located in Amman, the capital of Jordan, while broadcasting takes place from Bahrain.[5] The channel primarily features music videos for children. In addition to the TV program, Toyor al-Janah TV is also active online across various social media and video platforms, including YouTube, where it has over 30 million subscribers.[6] Many videos reach hundreds of millions of views,[7] with the music video “Mama Brought a Baby - Jana Maqdad | Toyor al-Janah” amassing over a billion views.[8] Besides the Arabic content, there is also an English YouTube channel.
Controversies
editIn 2010, Toyor al-Janah released the music video “When We Die as Martyrs” (لما نستشهد بنروح الجنة), with then-ten-year-old Dima Bashar and her older brother Muhammad Bashar as the main singers. The song's lyrics addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a Palestinian perspective – both the singers and the channel's founder are Palestinian – where the children sang lines such as “When we die as martyrs, we go to heaven” and “There is no childhood without Palestine.” Additionally, they recited a prayer: “Oh God, grant victory to Islam and the Muslims. Oh God, help the children of Palestine.” The video also depicted battle scenes with children dressed as Israeli soldiers, who are shot at the end after having previously shot Palestinian children.[9]
The song was viewed millions of times and made headlines in both Israel and the Arab world. Saudi journalist Fawzia Nasir al-Na’im sharply criticized the video, calling it an indoctrination of children.[10] The video is no longer available on Toyor al-Janah's YouTube channel, but copies exist on YouTube. A few months later, Toyor al-Janah performed during a three-day visit to the Gaza Strip.[11]
Some of the channel’s songs
edit- “Yalla Party” by the Toyor Al-Janah group
- “Once We Went Out” by the Toyor Al-Janah group
- “Dad’s Phone” by the Toyor Al-Janah group
- “Mom Brought a Baby” by Jana Miqdad
- “Dad Brought Me a Balloon” by Jana Miqdad
- “We’re Bored” by Bara’a Al-Awaid
- “Today’s Eid” by Jana Miqdad
- “You Drove Me Crazy” by Jana Miqdad
- “Rumors” by Bara’a Al-Awaid
- “Majina Majina” by the Miqdad family
- “How Are You” by Jana Miqdad
- “Mom and Dad” by Jana Miqdad
- “Oh Fountain of Tenderness” by the Miqdad family
- "When We Die As Martyrs" by Dima Bashar
References
edit- ^ "الموقع الرسمي قناة طيور الجنة الفضائية | toyoraljanahtv official". 2017-09-20. Archived from the original on 2017-09-20. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ^ "toyorbabytv". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ^ "Toyor Baby English". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ^ "Cennet Kuşları Bebek - Türkçe | طيور الجنة بيبي - تركي". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ^ Nahmias, Roee (2010-06-22). "Arab song for kids: Allah loves martyrs". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ^ "قناة طيور الجنة | toyoraljanahtv". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ^ "قناة طيور الجنة | toyoraljanahtv". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ^ قناة طيور الجنة | toyoraljanahtv (2012-05-11). ماما جابت بيبي - جنى مقداد | طيور الجنة. Retrieved 2024-10-14 – via YouTube.
- ^ مختار أبو عمر (2012-05-06). lama nestashed - لما نستشهد بنروح الجنة. Retrieved 2024-10-14 – via YouTube.
- ^ https://www.haaretz.com/2010-06-22/ty-article/new-hit-song-for-palestinian-children-when-we-die-as-martyrs/00000180-179c-d827-adcd-1fbd2d340000
- ^ "Children's group to glorify 'martyrdom' in Gaza concert". NZ Herald. 2024-10-14. Retrieved 2024-10-14.