Among the surge of serialised television dramas which were sweeping the Arab world during the month of Ramadan 2012, an Egyptian one was highly anticipated. Featuring the first appearance of veteran comedian ‘Adil Imam on the small screen in thirty years, Firqat Naji 'Atallah (Naji ‘Atallah's Team) chronicles the life of an Egyptian diplomat (Imam) who works in the Egyptian embassy in Tel Aviv. Unable to contain his critical and, at times, anti-Semitic comments against Israelis, Imam finds himself dismissed from work. As he prepares to return to Egypt, he stops by the bank to collect his money, only to discover that the bank has placed a hold on his account. The manager attributes the procedure to instructions he received from high officials who suspect that Imam is involved with a terrorist organisation. Dismayed and infuriated, Imam leaves the bank, returns to Egypt, and embarks on an Ocean's Eleven-like mission to recruit a team of Egyptian youths to rob the bank.

Naji ‘Atallah's Team was largely panned by critics who faulted it for just being an attempt to gather all Imam's now stereotypical cinema characteristics – heroism, nobility, extreme intelligence – into a rather silly plot. Also attacked was the serial's superficial recourse to the Palestinian cause as a way of selling its message to viewers. Imam's first work since the 2011 Egyptian revolution, it was argued, was an effort to divert attention from his reactionary position against the revolution and to present him as a dauntless figure.

It is the way in which the first episode of the series opens that is of interest here, however. A new press attaché arrives in the Egyptian embassy in Tel Aviv. Following a brief meeting with the ambassador, the latter summons Imam to introduce him to his new colleague. The encounter takes place at the ambassador's office, and runs as follows: