This Ramadan, Islam-based superhero series THE 99 is finally launching in its region of origin, the Middle East. 

Starting on the first day of Ramadan, the series will air on MBC3 beginning on the first day of Ramadan, and then on Friday to Wednesday of each week. After Ramadan, the first season of The 99 will then show weekly on MBC3 for the rest of the broadcasting year.

The first season of the show will also air on Yahoo! Maktoob beginning on July 22nd, through August 16th. On August 17th, Yahoo! Maktoob will release "THE 99 Unbound,"  the feature-length film that debuted at the New York Film Festival, which features an introduction to the series that showcases the first 4 episodes.  

Ahmed Nassef, Vice President and Managing Director, Yahoo! Maktoob, said, “Fans have been waiting for THE 99 to come to life in an animated series, and we are thrilled to be the exclusive online partner for its debut in the region.” 

The series showcases 99 superheroes that reference Islamic culture and society, that express universal values in their struggle to share light and battle the forces of evil. While creating the story has been controversial in different markets, its message has been well-received globally, issues that creator Dr. Naif Al Mutawa spoke about the series at our animation-focused event, "CoE Animate," this fall. 

Al Mutawa, originally from Kuwait, also discussed the more personal sides of being a media entrepreneur in our Wamda TV video on THE 99 and his speech "The 99 Mistakes I Made" at the initial CoE event in November 2010.  

After a long struggle to be aired in the US, The 99 is now seeking a new broadcaster in the American market, says Al-Mutawa. Yet Turkey had gone full steam ahead, having already shown the first season of The99. The show will also air on public stations in South Africa and Australia this fall, and season two will debut in Turkey most likely in early 2013, and in the Middle East next Ramadan. 

Yet launching in the region brings the series back to its birthplace. Al Mutawa told Wamda, "It's a proud moment for me to have TH 99 come back home. This is the 10th year of the journey that began in a cab in London. It's been a very humbling experience, and I've had a lot of mentorship from people who've helped me to get to where I am. I hope kids watch and enjoy it, and share these universal values with humanity." 

You can check out the trailer below: