Can a historical drama ever truly satisfy the public's thirst for legend?

When the television series Al-Zeer Salem took the Arab world by storm, it sparked a fierce cultural debate that transcended simple entertainment. In this insightful critical study, Mamdouh Adwan explores the deep-seated rift between historical fact, popular folk biography (sira), and dramatic interpretation. Why did audiences react so strongly to the show’s conclusion? Adwan argues that our collective memory often clings to mythic, idealized versions of heroes to protect national identity, making any confrontation with historical truth feel like a betrayal. By dissecting the construction of the series, Adwan defends the artist’s role in challenging cultural stagnation and invites readers to reconsider the boundary where history ends and storytelling begins.