DUBAI (Reuters) - Exploding buildings, booby-trapped cars and bloodied victims are making their debut on Arab satellite television in daring dramas that deal with Islamist militancy in al Qaeda's main breeding ground.

The shows' producers say they are another battleground in the war on home-grown religious zealotry, which many Middle East governments are confronting by crackdowns and media campaigns.

"Al Tareeq Al-Waer", or "The Rugged Path", and "Al-Hur Al-Ayn", or "The Beautiful Maidens", have been airing during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, a time of peak viewing in the Middle East.

They both deal with intransigent interpretations of Islam, such as the one espoused by Saudi-born al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, and the social problems that push some to extremism.