Block 13
Kuwaiti animated series adapting South Park for a general audience.
Block 13 (Arabic: قطعة ١٣, romanized: qiteat ṯālatha 'ash, stylised as 13 ق ط ع ة) is a Kuwaiti animated television series and unlicensed Arabic adaptation of the American animated sitcom South Park. Created and directed by Nawaf Salem Al-Shammari, it aired on Kuwait Television from December 12, 2000, to December 5, 2002. The series follows a group of children—Hammoud, Azzouz, Saloom, Honey, Abboud, and his little sister Farooha—on wacky misadventures, addressing Middle Eastern issues in a family-friendly manner.
- Field
- Animated television series
- Nationality
- Kuwaiti
- Known for
- Unlicensed Arabic adaptation of South Park
- Creator
- Nawaf Salem Al-Shammari
- Aired
- December 12, 2000 – December 5, 2002
- Network
- Kuwait Television
Lore & Background
Block 13 was created after South Park was banned in Kuwait due to offensive jokes targeting Islam, serving as a replacement for the region. The show aired during every year's Ramadan, with its initial run spanning the second half of Ramadan 2000 through December 2002. It re-aired on Kuwait Television for Ramadan 2020 and continues to be re-run each Ramadan. The series features main characters based on South Park counterparts: Abboud (Eric Cartman), Hammoud (Stan Marsh), Azzouz (Kyle Broflovski), Saloom (Kenny McCormick), and Honey (Craig Tucker or Butters Stotch). Secondary characters include Farooha (Ike Broflovski), Halool (a Bedouin bully), Jamool (Butters Stotch), and Jameah (Halool's sidekick). Teachers include Miss Attiyat (Mr. Mackey), Mr. Saleh (Herbert Garrison), and Mr. Atiya.
Reader's Guide
Block 13 holds significance as the first animated TV series produced in the Arab States of the Persian Gulf, marking a milestone in regional animation. Its unlicensed adaptation of South Park allowed it to tackle Middle Eastern concerns in a less offensive, family-friendly format, contrasting with the adult-oriented original. The show's legacy includes a spin-off, Qatouta and Kaloob (2003), featuring characters like Abboud, Saloom, and Miss Attiyat, though a planned second season was cancelled for financial reasons. A reboot, 13th Street, was released in 2022, airing on VO, Dubai TV, and Awaan, with limited information available but identified by shared personnel and setting. The series remains culturally notable for its role in Kuwaiti television history and its continued Ramadan re-runs.
Did You Know?
- The Kuwaiti series 'Mish'ash' aired in 1996, predating Block 13 as the first animated TV series produced in the Arab States of the Persian Gulf.
- The season 3 finale is mostly lost, with only a YouTube video from March 7, 2009, uploaded by the director, providing details.
- Jamool is a human character based on Butters Stotch and does not become a penguin.
- A spin-off titled Qatouta and Kaloob aired during Ramadan 2003 on Kuwait TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Block 13?
Block 13 is a Kuwaiti animated sitcom that functions as an unlicensed Arabic-language adaptation of the American show South Park. It was produced for a general, family-oriented audience and broadcast on Kuwait Television.
Who created and directed Block 13?
The series was both created and directed by Nawaf Salem Al-Shammari, a Kuwaiti animator who also handled the show's overall vision.
What are the main characters in Block 13?
The show follows a group of kids—Hammoud, Azzouz, Saloom, Honey, Abboud, and Abboud's younger sister Farooha—who get into comedic misadventures while addressing Middle Eastern topics in a way suitable for all ages.
When and where did Block 13 air?
The series premiered on December 12, 2000, and concluded its run on December 5, 2002, airing exclusively on Kuwait Television.
How does Block 13 differ from South Park?
While it borrows the general ensemble-comedy format of its American counterpart, Block 13 replaces the original's edgy, satirical tone with family-friendly humor and localizes its settings, characters, and subject matter for Kuwaiti and broader Arabic-speaking audiences.
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