Muslim TV Coming to America

LadyEagle · May 2, 2003

MEDIA MATTERS
Muslim TV coming to America
Network challenges Islam's image as 'religion of our enemies'
Posted: May 2, 2003
1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

In an ambitious attempt to improve the image of Muslims, two businessmen are preparing to launch North America's first English-language Islamic television channel next year.

The founders of "Bridges TV," aiming for a summer 2004 launch, find some of the rationale for their venture in America's attitude toward Muslims since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Bridges TV founder Muzzammil S. Hassan

In its promotional material, the network quotes leading figures such as Fox News host Bill O'Reilly, saying, "Islam is the religion of our enemies," and the Rev. Franklin Graham, calling Islam a "wicked and evil religion."

"American Muslims saw their entire faith hijacked as the perpetrators of these murders claimed Islam as their religion," the fledgling company said. "The Muslim victims were not only the 358 innocent souls that perished that day, but the entire 7 million American Muslims."

Some analysts believe the U.S. has considerably fewer Muslims, perhaps as few as 2 million, but the venture's founders believe they have an audience among rapidly growing Muslims and "mainstream" Americans.

Bridges TV's CEO is Muzzammil S. Hassan, most recently a bank vice-president in Buffalo, N.Y. Its chief investor is Omar S. Amanat, founder of Tradescape, an Internet brokerage firm sold to E*Trade last year for $280 million.

Despite his success, Amanat said as a Muslim he never felt fully accepted on Wall Street.

"I realized that the only way to undo misconceptions was to create our own media forum from which our stories and culture would be shared with the world," he said. "Other cultural groups have gained acceptance and increased understanding through the media. Why can't Muslims do the same?"

Bridges TV sees a successful niche-market model in channels such as Telemundo and the Black Entertainment Television network. Its research shows about one-quarter of American Muslims are of South Asian origin, while the rest include African Americans and Arabs.

The venture distinguishes itself from foreign-language broadcasts geared to Muslims, such as the Arabic ART TV, which are popular with immigrant parents but not among U.S.-born Muslims.

"Our channel is in English and about life in America," said Amanat. "We want a Muslim child who grows up in America to be able to watch our channel and identify with the characters, or to be engaged by the dialogue of issues pertinent to him or her."

Broadcasting from Manhattan via cable and satellite, the channel plans to "emphasize news stories and talk shows, wholesome sitcoms, advice shows, children's programming and movies about Muslim life in America."

Muslim cartoon feature "The Jar"

Bridges TV says it wants to "celebrate the rich diversity and talents of American Muslims and to build bridges of understanding and friendship between American Muslims and mainstream Americans."

The launch date depends on how quickly the network can gather the 10,000 paying members it believes are necessary to demonstrate public support.

Among its "key advisers and supporters" are Nihad Awad, executive director of the controversial Council on American-Islamic Relations.

[snip]

CAIR's communications director, Ibrahim Hooper, said Bridges TV "is just an example of the growing maturity and sophistication of the American Muslim community that people are even at this stage where we can contemplate this kind of network."
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Johnv · May 2, 2003

What wrong with that? If TBN is allowed to have their own channel, please tell me why no one else can?

Haruo · May 2, 2003

Nothing wrong with it. May provide some interesting fare.

Haruo

Joseph_Botwinick · May 2, 2003

Let them have their terrorist station. At least then, we can keep track of what the terrorists are doing better and it may even reveal who the terrorist supporters are when they show up as guests on their shows. How about this for a line-up:

Nazi Fascist News

60 Minutes of suicide bombings

Donahue: More anti American Hate propaganda

Any other ideas?

Joseph Botwinick

Johnv · May 2, 2003

Wait, that sounds like the current TBN programming

In reality, I avoid most of what's on TBN, and will likely avoid a Muslim based station as well. I simply don't find the bulk of TBN programming worth watching. I'm willing to bet they're come out with a "True Love Waits" version of "The Bachelor" within 2 seasons. Yuk!!

Watchman · May 3, 2003

I do not watch Word of Faith TV (TBN) and I would not watch Muslim TV either.

Gina B · May 3, 2003

I thought I posted this before, but guess not!
So here goes.

Has anyone stopped to think HMMM, maybe they're right and Saddam and his crew were a militant breed of the religion.

Hitler claimed Christianity, and Christians said the same thing as what's being said now about this religion. "it's not how it's supposed to be".
Many Jews still hate the Christians for it and refuse to see that all Christians are not like that.
Could that be what's happening in this case?
Gina

Johnv · May 5, 2003

Hi Gina, yes, I've considered that. Every Muslim I know, and I'm willing to bet, most American Muslims, fit into that category. Your statement is probably true.

Peter101 · May 11, 2003

>>>Let them have their terrorist station. <<<<<

You are painting with a broad brush there, Joseph. I know several muslims and the ones I know are decent people. Only a small percentage of muslims are terrorists.

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