Looking to learn Arabic and immerse yourself in Palestinian culture? Look no further than Mo, a Netflix comedy-drama series that offers a rare and nuanced perspective on the immigrant experience. Mo follows the life of Mo Najjar, a Palestinian refugee living in Houston, Texas, who faces various challenges and adventures as he navigates his cultural identity, love life, and family’s asylum request.

The show is loosely based on the real experiences of its creator and star, Mo Amer, a stand-up comedian who was born in Kuwait and fled to the US with his family during the Gulf War. 

Mo Amer plays Mohammed “Mo” Najjar, a charismatic and witty young man who works at a mobile store and tries to balance his cultural identity, his love life and his family’s pending asylum request. Along the way, he faces various challenges and adventures, such as losing his job, getting into trouble with the law, dealing with his drug addiction and finding out a shocking truth about his immigration status. 

The show also features a talented cast of supporting characters, such as Mo’s mother Yusra (Farah Bsieso), his brother Sameer (Omar Elba), his girlfriend Maria (Teresa Ruiz), his childhood friend Nick (Tobe Nwigwe) and his immigration lawyer Lizzie (Lee Eddy).

What sets Mo apart is its authenticity and diversity, as it features scenes and dialogue in Arabic, Spanish, and English, as well as hip-hop music, Tex-Mex cuisine, and the Catholic faith. Mo is also the first major American TV series to feature a Palestinian-American refugee as the lead character, making it an ideal way to learn about Palestinian culture and language.

The show offers both Arabic subtitles and dubbing, which can be used for learning Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) or Palestinian Arabic, respectively. When using dubbing, slow the audio down to 75% to improve comprehension. For the best learning experience, avoid using both dubbing and Arabic subtitles, as they can be confusing due to differences in language and translation. Instead, try using dubbing with English subtitles.

Mo is a show that celebrates the resilience and humanity of people who have faced adversity and hardship, exploring themes of family, friendship, love, identity, belonging, and displacement. With its talented cast, humor, and heart, Mo is a show that you won’t want to miss if you’re looking to learn Arabic and immerse yourself in Palestinian culture.