Here’s one for you:
With a sister who wears the hijab and a cowboymad Muslim father who dresses like John Wayne, Seema Jilani enjoys a diverse family life. The Texas-based paediatrician, who has worked in Afghanistan and Pakistan and written extensively on health and social issues, is an engaging contributor to a new BBC documentary, American Muslim: Freedom, Faith and Fear.
Sure, why not? The whole family is Muslim, but their clothing is diverse, so that counts as “a diverse family life” when seen through the agenda-tinted glasses.
Other participants include a fashion designer, an imam, a comedian, a Marine, a Republican congressman and a forthright newspaper columnist – all with something to say about Muslims who live in the Land of the Free. The illuminating 60 minute tv programme, to be accompanied by a World Service radio documentary, emerged from a competition that invited proposals for a collaborative project between BBC Arabic and BBC Persian.
Which means it’s meant to be targeted at Mohammedans in those regions, and not for your consumption. It’s nice, though, that the BBC is actually presenting these people with a positive image of the US, for a change.
‘The original idea was to concentrate on the Bible Belt where there are fascinating similarities between devout Christians and devout Muslims,’ explains BBC Persian reporter Karen Zarindast.
You mean like how they think of women as childbearers first and foremost, subject to the absolute rule of the husband, and their feelings about homosexuality, for example? I won’t hold my breath.
The remit later broadened out and the resulting programme, commissioned by Global News, will be shown on BBC World News, BBC Arabic and BBC Persian in the run-up to the tenth anniversary of 9/11.
I bet it did. But we’re not at the ‘fear’ part yet. The BBC Persian reporter involved says this:
Originally from Lebanon, he went to university in the US in the mid-80s and this was his first trip back. ‘It was interesting to return after so many years, and I have to say that I fell in love with the country all over again.’
Again, nice to see a positive image about the US from the BBC, for a change.
It’s a familiar sentiment. ‘Everyone we met, from the most recent Muslim arrivals to the surgeon who left Pakistan 30 years ago, told us how much they loved America,’ says Farah. Zarindast, who moved to the UK from Iran 15 years ago, and travels regularly to the US, where her mother and brother now live, was also struck by Muslims’ loyalty to their adopted land.
What shock, eh? People move here on purpose to escape the sh!thole Mulsim countries they live in, and don’t hate it as much as certain Beeboids do.
‘Muslims in America are better integrated than in Britain,’ Darius Bazargan notes. ‘The country is more of a melting pot where people go to escape repression and really value their freedom.’
Shall we examine why that is, BBC? Any future documentaries about what’s preventing Mohammedans from becoming better integrated in Britain? Or have you already decided that it’s down to the inherent racism of the indigenous population, full stop?
Not that Muslims’ love of the States means they are always loved equally in return, he points out. ‘There seems to be more Islamophobia now than immediately after the 9/11 attacks.
Do you think it might have to do with the fact that there have been a few more attempted terrorist attacks by Muslims since then, not to mention Maj. Jihadi Nassan at Ft. Hood? Nah: it’s the inherent racism of the indigenous population:
‘Attitudes have hardened since the election of President Obama. People know they can’t express anti-black opinions but think it acceptable to be anti-Muslim. In fact, [in the case of politicians] their ratings can go up if they appear to be anti-Muslim.’
There you have it: we’re still bloody racists, only we keep quiet about the blacks now. And just like Baroness Warsi said, it’s acceptable to hate Muslims at dinner parties instead. I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that not a single second of this is spent discussing any attempted terrorist attacks, or any incident which might even remotely have caused concern about Mohammedans wanting Shariah Law to take precedence over domestic US law in certain cases, or Mohammedan cab drivers in Minnesota refusing to pick up fares at the ariport if they have alcohol on them, or jihadi imams who are forced to leave. Nope, it’s all just racism.
And of course, the best bit:
In another side of the story, the documentary features white Americans who have converted to Islam as a reaction against Western materialism and the constant pressure to look slim and attractive. They include a woman who used to make her living photographing people in nightclubs and is now a devout Muslim.
You couldn’t make it up. It’s White Girl all over again. Remember, this is specifically meant for Muslim audiences in the Muslim World.
What you might call a step change…
What you might call pandering….
A positive message about Islam and Muslims, with a qualified mixed message about the US, and not even meant for you to see or even know about. All at your expense.
This blatant propagandising of the BBC no longer shocks me, it just saddens. I remember when the BBC was a great institution standing up for decency and integrity. Now it has turned 180° and is facing the completely opposite direction to decency, honesty and all the best features that once bound our country together.
From being proud of the BBC, I am now ashamed of it!
Why did you have to mention the shameful “White Girl” again? Id almost exorcised my memory of that Beeboid heresy.
Hell, that fifth column crap won a bafta in 2008, but what I want to know is who the hell voted for it?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Girl
As if Muslim girls don’t become Catholic. They do.
Perhaps “Levantine girl” finds peace in the solem liturgy of the local church after the stress of resisting an arranged marriage.
BBC, over to you. You is soooo creative. Be bold.
O/T Sorry, this is way off topic but it is so silly just couldn’t resist it.
The Guardian seems to be concerned that ET will wipe us out if we don’t halt man-made global warming…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/aug/18/aliens-destroy-humanity-protect-civilisations?CMP=twt_gu
I really hope the BBC run with his one
Glad I read the whole post-the bit I`d thought was the sum of it seemed reasonable.
But then I thought that it is David and he is talking about the BBC….I read on therefore!
Each step Mr P mentions goes deeper down into the cellar doesn`t it? Can the BBC not help themselves?…rhetorical question!
I sometimes wonder if the BBC are a plot to bring Rupert into real power-the BBC are that skewed and loopy that they`re inviting real insurrection…thye seem to approve in some suicide wish of their own!
If I were Muslim too-I`d be getting very worried about this creepy friend of mine that invites me home…got to be some plot behind it…just too unctuous!
I’m sure that the BBC’s Iranian and Arabic listeners will be quite satisfied with the coverage of Israel.
‘Muslims in America are better integrated than in Britain,’
I’m sure that’s true, but should anyone in this country who is not ‘acceptable’ make such remarks you would see the BBC condemnation machine go into full operation.
In America they first and foremost ‘buy into’ the American Dream (whatever that is post-Obama) a place where they still hang flags without their curtain twitching neighbours thinking they are racist.
In this country liberals and labour would have us apologise for being in the way of making our country their country. Such a pity we are predominantly Christian capitalists, let’s demonise that idea and make way for Sharia and the rest of it. No wonder we emigrate…
Love this “Ebony and …well less Ebony” version of events.
Only the BBC could synergise Arabic”(Saudi Arabia) with Persian(or Iranians as they like to be known these days…come colonial issues that Mahmoud could yet find patronising)
Vital ,I know to get Sunni and Shia out of their respective “silos” and then “work together in perfect harmony”.
I do wonder which country or tribal border land the BBC will choose to locate the soap/drama/documentary that shows Sunni becoming Shia…or,hell vice versa…if the BBC know which is what!
They`re “all the same shit” eh, Beeb?…now in MY book that`s raycyst maaan!
Luton got Sharia Courts up and running yet?
Still if we get that duet between Amhedinejadh and Zawahiri for that Cheridee download (Don`t they know its Eid?...how could anybody NOT after all the BBC programming in the run up to it?)… then we know at least how the Scud Fund is topped up!
As long as they can agree whether poor Muhammad Bear is haram if he is put on the CD cover or not!
I deal with Iranians for work; in fact I set up our companies business there: I deal with a few companies and the first thing they always say is “we’re not Arabs“. I know of course but it is interesting that they make such efforts to amke sure everyone knows.
Poor Pudsey looks like he only has a sore eye and a sprained wrist…by the time Lutos Sharia courts have done with poor Muhammad bear, he will wish he`d STAYED in Sudan when he had the chance.
I look forward to the same re Hindus, Sikhs, Jews etc.
…tumbleweed…
“who have converted to Islam as a reaction against Western materialism and the constant pressure to look slim and attractive”
If I were a fat ugly woman I might want an excuse to cover myself in a burqa too.
In answer to the view that Muslims in America are better integrated than British (Or even European) Muslims is down to 2 major facts:
1) Muslims who go to the US usually have a degree, so at a stroke are willing to work
2) In America you have to work full stop. IN the UK you don’t have to and thus can live your entire life in an enclave which wouldn’t look out of place in downtown Mecca.
The following seems to apply to BBC-Democrat because it doesn’t even report it:
“Media Conceal True Nature of ‘Flash Mob’ Racial Violence”
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.10194/pub_detail.asp
and:
Are the Black Flash Mob Attacks on Whites Obama’s Fault?
Whitewash in the White House
With this it has cut my looking time in half! Thank you sooo much for this! It was sooo helpful!……..It is essential to have a Pub personal licence in order to be an authorized seller of alcohol. This is essential so that the dealer is aware of the laws related to sale of alcohol and other issues like social responsibility in such a business.