Mena Massoud (Aladdin) is Egyptian, Nasim Pedrad (Jasmine's handmaiden) and Navid Negahban (the Sultan) are Iranian and Marwan Kenzari (Jafar) is Tunisian. Interestingly though, Naomi Scott (Jasmine) is a British actress whose mom is Ugandan with Indian decent, neither of which are Middle Eastern.

Are the actors in Aladdin Middle Eastern?

And despite the fact that some white extras had their skin darkened during filming, Disney did cast actors of Middle Eastern descent in most of the main roles.

Are the characters in Aladdin Arabic?

The reason we think of the story as one of the true-born Arabian Nights is that many of the characters in the tale of Aladdin are Arabian Muslims with Arabic names. But Aladdin is Chinese … at least, he is if you go back to the known origins of the story.

Is Princess Jasmine Arab or Indian?

While some claim Jasmine is Arab because the movie opens with a song called Arabian Nights, others believe that the architecture in Agrabah is clearly based on the Taj Mahal, making Jasmine Indian. It's a debate that has fueled speculation that in Hollywood, Indians and Arabs are interchangeable.

What ethnicity is Aladdin actor?

MEET the Egyptian-Canadian star who played the ever-so-handsome lead role in Disney's Aladdin. Mena Massoud was catapulted onto the international stage when he joined the all-star cast of the popular children's classic in 2019.

Mena Massoud in Dubai: World has changed for Arab actors | tabloid

Is Aladdin supposed to be Arab or Indian?

1. The original Aladdin was actually Chinese. While the true origins of the tale of Aladdin cannot be completely verified, the story is often attributed to French writer Antoine Galland, who claimed a Syrian told him about a boy and a genie in China.

Is Aladdin Indian or Iraqi?

3. Aladdin doesn't come from Agrabah. In the both Galland's text and Richard Burton's popular 1885 English translation, Aladdin lives “in a city of the cities in China.” Illustrations of the tales from the Victorian era depict the story and its characters as Chinese.

Which Disney princess is Arab?

Films and television series. Jasmine debuted in Aladdin (1992) as the Princess of Agrabah, daughter of the Sultan.

Is Aladdin Persian or Arabic?

In the book One Thousand and One Nights, Aladdin is Chinese. The story itself occurs in Persia/Arabia, but Aladdin himself is neither Persian or Arab.

Which Disney princess is black?

In Disney's nearly 100-year history, there has been only one Black Disney princess — Princess Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog,” a 2009 animated feature starring Anika Noni Rose.

Is Jafar Arabic Aladdin?

Jafar is an old, Arabic man who seems to appear crippled from the scarceness of his body weight and poor conditioned teeth, he wears a long white beard, dark skin, a big nose, and tired eyes. In the movie he is made out to be an evil character due to his appearance and Arabic dialect.

Why does Disney have a disclaimer before Aladdin?

On Oct. 15, Disney Plus introduced a new disclaimer that appears before older films like Dumbo (1941) and Aladdin (1992), warning viewers that the films include harmful stereotypes. The new message replaces the one that came with the original launch of Disney Plus late last year.

Who is the Egyptian actor in Aladdin?

Mena Mansour Massoud (Arabic: مينا منصور مسعود; born September 17, 1991) is an Egyptian Canadian actor known for starring as the title character in the Disney fantasy film Aladdin (2019).

What religion are the people in Aladdin?

For instance, the ruler is referred to as "Sultan" rather than "Emperor", as in some retellings, and the people in the story are Muslims and their conversation is filled with Muslim platitudes. A Jewish merchant buys Aladdin's wares, but there is no mention of Buddhists, Daoists or Confucians.

Is Aladdin culturally accurate?

8 Aladdin's Portrayal Of The Middle East Is Inaccurate

The film has been criticized for having a European view of the Middle East instead of an accurate portrayal of the region. Critics have also said Aladdin doesn't accurately portray the Middle East or Northern African culture, which is where Aladdin takes place.

Which Arab country is Aladdin from?

Mena Massoud (Aladdin) is Egyptian, Nasim Pedrad (Jasmine's handmaiden) and Navid Negahban (the Sultan) are Iranian and Marwan Kenzari (Jafar) is Tunisian.

Was Aladdin in Iraq?

Disney's Aladdin (the 1992 animated version, not the 2019 live action remake) is set in a fictional city called Agrabah, which is based off Baghdad, Iraq (which was supposed to be the setting of the film, but was changed to Agrabah during production due to the Gulf War of 1990–91 which involved the Iraqi invasion of ...

Is there a Persian Disney Princess?

After Aladdin tells Jasmine the story of the Star of Persia, they decide to find the jewel. Princess Jasmine discovers that she is wise, kind, fair, and special—just like the queen who once owned the precious jewel.

Is Aladdin pre Islamic?

The animated 1992 Film most likely takes place after Islam had already started spreading as early as 700 CE but most likely it's meant to take place later than that.

What Disney Princess is Mexican?

Disney reveals first Hispanic princess, Princess Elena of Avalor.

Is Princess Jasmine from Iraq?

In the collection of tales recorded around the 15th century in Arabic, and which comprise "The Thousand and One Nights" or "Arabian Nights," Aladdin and Jasmine were actually residents of Baghdad, Iraq, a city widely considered a center for Arab culture and civilization.

Which Disney Princess is Indian?

Disney set to launch an Indian princess for the first time ever. Princess Ananya, has been confirmed by the team, but they have also added that it's quite in the early stages and the team isn't even close to launching her.

What ethnicity is Aladdin and Jasmine?

If Ritchie's film was based on the original story, the entire cast would be Chinese - apart from the sorcerer, who would be North African - but as it's said to be a faithful remake of Disney's animation, Aladdin and Princess Jasmine should really be Middle Eastern or South Asian, despite the film not being an authentic ...

Did Aladdin live in Baghdad?

During the interview, Musker said that the movie's composers, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, had originally decided Aladdin would be set in Baghdad, Iraq, but they were forced to change that. “We kept it Baghdad in our first treatment, and then the Gulf War happened — the first Gulf War.