An Afghan muppet stars in Sesame Workshop

Sesame Street creators Sesame Workshop have announced their newest character, a male Afghan muppet named Zeerak.

Zeerak, will be used to ‘promote gender equity,’ according to Sesame Workshop, he is the four-year-old brother to Zari, a female Afghan character who was introduced in her home country’s co-production of Sesame Street titled Baghch-e-Simsim in 2016.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Zeerak into the Baghch-e-Simsim family and continue our work to model the importance of girls’ education and bring critical early learning to millions of Afghan children,” executive vice president of global impact and philanthropy at Sesame Workshop Sherrie Westin said in a statement.

“We know children learn best when they can identify with characters, and research shows that Zari has been a powerful role model for boys and girls alike. The debut of Zeerak builds on the incredible impact we’ve seen Zari achieve over the past year,” she continued.

Filming begins on Fantastic Beasts sequel

Warner Bros. said the next Beasts episode will see Harry Potter icon Albus Dumbledore — played as a younger man by Jude Law — and Fantastic Beasts hero Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) team up and battle the evil wizard Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) and his minions.

“Grindelwald will ‘make a dramatic escape’ from MACUSA custody, forcing Albus Dumbledore to join the wizarding world’s efforts to stop him,” the Pottermore website said. “The villainous Grindelwald has been busy ‘gathering more followers to his cause — elevating wizards above all non-magical beings.’ Dumbledore will look to his former student Newt for help.”

The second Beasts feature — which does not yet have a title — is due in theatres November 16, 2018.

Published in Dawn, Young World July 22nd, 2017