The children’s show, Sesame Street, is celebrating Arab American Heritage Month, teaching kids Arabic phrases.
Comedian and actor Ramy Youssef joined the beloved character Elmo for the celebration.
“Mr. Ramy, what does salamu alaykum mean?” Elmo asks. Youssef responds, “Well salam means peace and it’s a way to say hello in Arabic.”
“Oh cool, Salamu Ayaykum everyone,” Elmo says.
Youssef later teaches Elmo what “haibibi” means. “It’s an Arabic word for a special friend,” he says.
Last year, reports surfaced indicating that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was developing Sesame Street in Iraq. “This isn’t just funding a kids’ show for children — millions of children — in countries like Iraq,” Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) told CNN’s Michael Smerconish, defending the effort. “It’s a show that helps teach values, helps teach public health, helps prevent kids from dying from dysentery and disease and helps push values like collaboration, peacefulness, and cooperation in a society where the alternative is ISIS, extremism, and terrorism.”
Coons noted that USAID was spending a “small proportion” of the U.S. total federal spending, or about $30 billion of the $850 billion budget.
The show has also pushed Pride content on children, issuing social media posts for Pride Month over the last several years. “On our street, everyone is welcome. Together, let’s build a world where every person and family feels loved and respected for who they are. Happy #PrideMonth!” the show’s 2025 post read.
In 2024, Sesame Street wrote on X, “Happy #PrideMonth from Sesame Street! Today and every day, we celebrate and uplift the LGBTQIA+ members of our community. Together, let’s build a world where every person and family feels loved and welcomed for who they are.”
In 2023, the show featured actress Ariana DeBose promoting Pride Month with Elmo. “Hi! Elmo and I wanted to share that everyone is always welcome on Sesame Street,” DeBose said. “This month and every month, we want to uplift and celebrate our LGBTQIA+ family, friends, and communities.”
