Posted on 11/28/2004 2:06:45 PM PST by Land_of_Lincoln_John
NEW YORK, November 28 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - The first US Muslim TV channel will see light Tuesday, November 30, with the optimal goal of building “bridges” between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Bringing to fruition an idea born in the aftermath of the Sept 11 attacks, New York-based English-language “Bridges TV” is founded by Muzzammil Hassan, a former banker and marketing executive of Pakistani origin, who came to the States in 1979, Reuters news agency reported.
Hassan drew up a business plan and raised backing from US investors for the channel, which he says will have 50,000 initial subscribers by cable and satellite.
He has signed a deal with Comcast, the largest US cable operator to make it available nationwide.
Hassan said the channel is focused on lifestyle and entertainment, and programs will include Muslim cartoons, educational shows and animated Qur’an stories.
It will also have daily news and current events program, striving to offer more objectivity than its competitors.
“Our target audience has told us some of the foreign channels are pretty one-sided and some of the domestic channels are pretty one-sided the other way,” Hassan said.
Wife’s Idea
Hassan said his wife came up with the idea in December 2001 while listening to the radio on a road trip.
“Some derogatory comments were being made about Muslims that offended her,” he told Reuters.
“She was seven months pregnant, and she thought she didn't want her kids growing up in this environment.”
A May report released by the US Senate Office Of Research concluded that the Muslim community in the United States has taken the brunt of the Patriot Act and other federal powers applied in the aftermath of 9/11.
In recent interviews with IslamOnline.net, several Americans said Muslims are part of the US’s multi-ethnic fabric, who were regrettably discriminated against following the 9/11 attacks.
Testimonials
The channel received strong support from leading Muslim figures, who hailed it as the best way to overcome the erroneous image of American Muslims.
“We think Bridges TV will help make this happen. We hope this venture will be very successful - for the sake of all Americans,” said boxing legend Muhammad Ali Clay, who embraced Islam in 1965.
Nihad Awad, the Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said the channel helps send a clear message to the American people about the true essence of Islam.
“Bridges TV is a very good idea. To have our own media outlets, our own timing and our own kind of programming. Therefore, we can decide what kind of messages we send out.”
Dr. Maher Hathout, one of the founders of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), said Bridges TV is a project way overdue.
“All those who believe in the values of building bridges and knowing the truth and creating harmony for our society should feel the honor and obligation to support this great endeavor,” he said. (Click here to read more testimonials).
The only thing these people know about "bridges" is how to rig them with bombs.
What an absolute crock.
Hmmmm, Sabado Gigante with scantilly clad Mexican chicks, or stoning of the week? Decisions, decisions.
mexican tv is awesome like that odalyes garcia chica
I got a better idea...A TV station for Muslims that promotes integrating to American society.
They defined themselves on 9-11.
Will the be hanging any American contractors from these "Bridges?"
I'm still waiting on that "Bridge to the 21s Century" to open.
What do we want this bridge for anyway? What on earth makes them think we'd want to get over to the other side? Sorry - not interested.
Bridge to Dhimmitude
Rats would like to build a bridge over your cat and into your fridge too....
How to lie to the infidels.
"striking the necks"
Urban goat slaughter
Workshop on disciplining the wives
Perhaps so. But many who took a close look at the rest of the Islamic world, came away with little to be impressed with, and much to be concerned with.
Welcome to FR. The problem I have, and I'm sure many others feel the same, is the lack of outrage against the relatively small group by the Muslims here in America as a whole after 9-1-1.
Sunny you are in wrong place with this statement.
Please visit this website instead, then come back to talk about Islam.
http://www.apostatesofislam.com/media/stoning.htm
I would rather rip my toenails out than watch that.
CAIR said the channel helps send a clear message to the American people about the true essence of Islam
LOL! The terrorist sympathizers and sponsors at CAIR will not be happy until we are all dhimmis our own country.
To Tbarnett34 and everyone else on this thread that shares your veiw-point.
These people in New York are doing something postitive and you're putting shit on it just because they share the same religion as killers in Iraq. Wake up man! This is very dangerous way to think.
By your illogical logic we could say that all guys who have been in the US military want to blow up and kill innocent people just like Timothy McVie did in Oklahoma City.
You sound like you want more hate and violence in the world.
You sound like you're part of the problem.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.