Mass culture everywhere, but particularly in the Arab world, has created a cultural system based on the compilation of symbols, values, myths and images that refer to the practices of the daily life and to the collective imaginary world. Television drama in the region represents political-cultural realities, in which the mass culture formulates a way of containment, control and sometimes censorship. This culture is not autonomous in absolute sense. It can be impregnated with elements which are national, religious, humanist, ethnic-culture, etc. Meanwhile, it also penetrates in the national, religious, humanist culture, and among others. The Arab TV drama illustrates such interrelatedness of cultures through the expression of profound internal divisions. Its cultural identity is derived from its relative power to define its own identities as well as from its ability to mobilize the society. With such operations in mind, this article examines the method of the development of two Arab TV dramas, Bab Al Hara (The Door of the Alley) and King Faruk, named after the last King of Egypt. Both TV dramas formulate a communicative design that highlights important role of the media in creating the feeling of belonging and the sense of self- recognition within one's history.
