Love is Blind: Habibi – From the Pods to Dubai, Here’s All the Chaos and the Couples

Love is Blind: Habibi is here, and the spectacle is spicier than your mum’s secret shawarma sauce. The MENA version takes everything that made the OG show captivating and dials it up a notch, adding cultural richness, romance, and, of course, some next-level drama. Hosted by Arab power couple Khaled Saqer and Elham Ali, the show launched on October 10 2024, and spans nine juicy episodes, each delivering new levels of tension, romance, and confusion. Let’s just say it’s Shakespearean drama with a Dubai filter.

In Love is Blind: Habibi, contestants from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, and beyond are on a mission to find their “habibi” — their soulmate — in the infamous pods. Like in the original, they chat behind walls, form emotional connections, and then (surprise!) get engaged without ever seeing each other. Classic Netflix, but in three languages: Arabic, English, and French. The nuances of Arabic romance might not fully translate for non-speakers — but that’s what makes this iteration more poetic than the rest.

But let’s not pretend the cultural charm is the only thing to discuss here. The Habibi men? Different ballGame entirely. Unlike their American counterparts, who fear being seen as gold-diggers (looking at you, Leo from Love Is Blind US), these guys are all about flaunting their wealth. In Arab culture, being a provider is a sign of masculinity, so they show it off proudly. Meanwhile, many of the women on the show are assertive, making it clear they’re not here to be arm candy. They’re navigating career, independence, and personal growth, all while searching for their habibi. It’s a dynamic that is truly reflective of changing gender roles in the region — and yes, the drama is real.

Love is Blind: Habibi begs us to raise the pertinent question: Do we need more versions of this show and at what point is this world domination going to stop?

Here’s all you need to know about Love is Blind: Habibi

The hosts and format of Love is Blind: Habibi

The hosts of Love is Blind: Habibi are Khaled Saqer and Elham Ali, a popular celebrity couple from Saudi Arabia. Khaled is a well-known actor with a reputation for captivating performances, while Elham Ali is a rising star in Saudi TV and film, celebrated for her dynamic acting and charm. Together, they bring the perfect mix of charisma and relatability, guiding the contestants through the highs and lows of their on-screen journeys.

The show unfolds over nine episodes, all dropped at once because we’re living in the binge-watch era — who has time for week-to-week episodes anymore? After the initial pod phase, the couples get engaged and head off to dreamy vacation spots (cue the envy), where they can really get to know each other before the big decision — marriage or split.

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Who are the couples on Love is Blind: Habibi?

Safa and Mohammad

This couple? They’re definitely making us believe that love can last beyond the pods. Safa’s a total boss, managing a high-stakes career that takes her from Iraq to Canada, and MohaMMAd is the fun-loving guy who balances her out. They had an instant connection in the pods, and despite their busy lives, they seem committed to making it work. The fact that both of their families have clicked is also a huge plus. Safa’s social media is all about women’s empowerment, while MohaMMAd is out here making us laugh with his Instagram reels, showing off his adventurous side. They’re low-key about their relationship on social media, which probably means they’re actually serious.

Asma and Khatab

Here’s where it gets messy. Asma and Khatab had great chemistry at first, but Asma’s family wasn’t exactly sold on him. And in Arab culture, family approval isn’t just nice to have — it’s essential. Ever the romantic, Khatab flew to Canada to win them over. The fact that they still follow each other on Instagram gives us hope, but they’ve definitely pumped the brakes a bit. This slow-burn relationship might just end up being one of those “will they or won’t they” stories, and fans are already invested in seeing how it plays out.

Dounia and Chafic

Now, this is where things go south. Dounia, a vibrant, young content creator from Dubai, caught Chafic’s eye because of her lack of relationship experience. That’s right — he actually liked the fact that she had never been in a serious relationship. Red flags, anyone? As things progressed, it became clear that Chafic’s controlling tendencies were going to be a problem. He was fixated on how Dounia interacted with others, showing signs of jealousy that had us cringing at the screen. Understandably, the couple’s relationship did not survive. And honestly? Dounia is better off focusing on her rising career, and not putting up with that nonsense.

Nour and Mido

This couple was hot from the get-go but quickly burned out. Mido started feeling insecure about Nour’s focus on her appearance, and things got messy fast. Their big blow-up led to Mido ghosting her — classy. Now, neither follows the other on social media, which is basically the 2024 version of “we’re done.” Mido is already seeing someone else, and Nour? She’s thriving as a model and content creator. The way she bounced back is iconic, proving she’s better off without Mido’s drama dragging her down.

Hajar and Simo

Where do we even start with these two? Simo’s traditional mindset clashed hard with Hajar’s independent streak, leading to constant arguments. He had issues with her freedom, particularly around where they’d live and how she’d behave. And in true Netflix reality TV fashion, things came to a head when he ghosted her after a major argument. They’re not speaking anymore, and honestly, Hajar is probably grateful for the escape. For any modern woman, Simo’s controlling tendencies would be a deal breaker from day one.

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Wealth, masculinity, and cultural contradictions

Now, here’s where Love is Blind: Habibi gets really interesting. In the Arab world, traditional masculinity often revolves around the concept of being a provider. So, they’re flexing, all the time, Their expensive Lifestyles are not just part of the Game — they’re a selling point. It’s expected that these men will take care of their partners financially, and the wealthier they are, the better they look in the eyes of tradition.

But let’s not ignore the hypocrisy here. Contestant AMMAr is the poster boy for double standards. He doesn’t want Karma to keep dancing after they get married — hello, 1950s — but has no problem busting out his own moves at his bachelor party for some thirsty Netflix promotional material. Seriously? If you’re going to have rules, at least follow them yourself. The toxic masculinity in Habibi is palpable, but it’s also getting called out, which is a refreshing shift in the narrative.

Arab women on the show, however, are not here for that old-school approach. Safa’s all about maintaining her career while building a relationship, and Hajar isn’t going to let Simo’s archaic ideas tie her down. These women are pushing back, showing that Arab women aren’t just waiting for marriage to define them — they’re defining themselves, even if that means walking away from men with outdated ideas of relationships.

Watch Love is Blind: Habibi here

(Main and Featured Image: Netflix)