Hikayat Simsim ( Jordan ) Hikayat Simsim is the Arabic name for the Jordanian co - production of " Sesame Street " . The Jordanian version premiered in October , 2003 . A second season debuted in January 2007 . The third season began production in 2009 and aired in the following spring ( 28 episodes ) . The fourth season was produced in 2010 . The main Muppet characters is this version are Juljul and Tonton . Issa Sweidan plays the lovable grandfather figure Jiddo Simsim ( which means Grandfather Sesame ) . Elmo was added to the cast for the fourth season . Sesame Workshop description . " Sesame Workshop and Jordan Pioneers have joined together to create Hikayat Simsim , a multimedia project that presents messages of respect and understanding to young children in the Middle East . The Sesame Street format provides educational material that is culturally relevant to Jordanian children . The content focuses on subjects such as literacy , numeracy , health and hygiene , national identity , needs of Iraqi refugee children , mutual respect , tolerance , and understanding . " " Sesame Stories ( Jordan ) , or Hikayat Simsim in Arabic , was created , written , and produced by local educators and television professionals . The show combines segments featuring the Sesame Street Muppet characters with animation and mini - documentaries ( live action films ) to create uniquely entertaining and educational programming . Locally developed characters appeal to preschoolers and engage them with humor relevant to Jordanian culture . Animation and live action pieces introduce Jordanian children to positive images of themselves and others . " " The project is funded in large part by project partners . Twenty - six episodes of Hikayat Simsim , co - produced by Sesame Workshop and Jordan Pioneers ( Amman ) , aired in Jordan beginning in October 2003 on Jordan Television , Jordan ’ s public television station . A community outreach initiative supplements the television series to promote respect and understanding off - screen . In total , two seasons equaling 56 episodes have been completed and season three is hoping to begin production in 2008 . " History . Season 2 . This season overview will focus on " Jordanian culture as well as introduce them to different cultures and instill pride in their name and nationality . " Other topics include gender roles , school readiness , health and hygiene , respect , understanding tolerance and diversity , child - family community and social relations and culture , and heritage and arts . Season 3 . This season overview will focus on traffic safety . Haddad said about the theme of this season , “ Young children in Jordan know traffic lights , but they do not understand crosswalks , or the ‘ don ’ t walk ’ light signal . We are going to try to introduce pedestrian behavior to them at an early age . " The third season introduces three new human characters on the street : Kamel who runs the neighborhood garage and fix - it shop , Hayat who teaches fitness and exercise in school , and Rahwah who works as a nurse . The neighborhood street is revamp with a new make over . New formatted segments features Juljul as Sahel , or Magic Juljul , in which the Muppet will perform magic tricks while teaching children oral and personal hygiene . Another segment will have Juljul as an investigative reporter , roaming around the neighborhood interviewing children on certain learning subjects such as helping others and acceptance Season 4 . The fourth season of Hikayat Simsim will see the world ’ s first Arabic - speaking Elmo . Producers expressed hope that the character , a mainstay on the American Sesame Street and other affiliated programmes , will boost the local and regional profile of Hikayat Simsim . Haddad said that his introduction to the show will be used in lessons on acceptance and cross - cultural understanding .