Mohammed Saeed Harib

Mohammed Saeed Harib
Born	1978 Dubai
Nationality	Emirati
Occupation	Cartoonist and Director

Mohammed Saeed Harib (Arabic: محمد سعيد حارب‎‎; born in 1978, in Dubai) is an animator from the United Arab Emirates, accredited as the creator and producer of FREEJ; an animated UAE cartoon series. Harib is a Northeastern University graduate, majoring in General Arts and Animation, and holds the distinction as the first 3D cartoon animator from the Middle East.

Harib recently directed FREEJ FOLKLORE, the largest Arabic theatrical production in the region. FREEJ FOLKLORE marks a new era in the entertainment industry through Harib’s introduction of innovative approach that combined magnificent art with highly sophisticated technical tools. The show is set to tour the region after the great success it saw in the United Arab Emirates.

Mohammed Saeed Harib is the son of Saeed Harib, the Managing Director of Dubai International Marine Sports (DIMC), and the Chairman of the World Professional Powerboat Association (WPPA). Harib’s mother died when he was a child. Harib’s sister is Shamsa Harib who also works in the media industry.

At the beginning, Harib was studying architecture in Northeastern University in Boston because it was a common desire between him and his father. Harib failed his first year and that led him to explore other majors. After taking few courses in Arts and getting good marks in them, Harib decided to change his major to General Arts and Animation. Harib’s father did not mind this change, even though Animation back then was not a well-established field in the Middle East. According to Harib, "animation was considered taboo in my culture when I first studied it. However my father was an open-minded person and he used to say: 'Study what makes you happy'”.

FREEJ characters were part of Harib’s sketch book since 1998. These characters became famous cartoon characters when Harib finished his studies and went back to his home country; UAE. The CEO of Dubai Media City engorged Harib to explore ways that can turn these sketches into reality presented in a cartoon show. It was challenging because the Animation industry did not exist in UAE and the project required financial support. According to Harib, “Not only did I have to find backing to fund it, I had to persuade people here that it was something that could work".

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