Sesame Street introduces first Afghan Muppet, Zari

Meet Zari, Sesame Workshop’s first Afghan Muppet. Zari, a 6-year-old girl who’s “curious and eager” and whose name means “shimmering,” will be featured on season 5 of Afghanistan’s Baghch-e-Simsim, the local co-production of Sesame Street and one of the country’s most popular children’s television shows.

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The series, which includes segments on tradition and culture, will highlight Zari in three formats: Zari Exercises, which encourages physical health and well being; Zari Says “Salaam,” which covers the greeting “asalaam alaikum” and Afghan national identity; and Zari Interviews a Doctor, in which she talks to a pediatrician and learns about taking care of herself.

Watch a preview of the character below: