World's first Muslim superheroes, the 99, are headed for British television screens

The Telegraph ^ | 20 Aug 2009

[nickcarraway]

The world's first Muslim cartoon superheroes have taken the Arab world by storm, and now they are headed for British television screens

Named the 99, as each possesses one of Allah's 99 attributes, the characters include a burka-clad woman named Batina the Hidden and a Saudi Arabian Hulk-type man named Jabbar the Powerful.

They have proved a hit from Morocco to Indonesia and were recently named as one of the top 20 trends sweeping the world by Forbes magazine.

Now they are being brought to British television by Endemol, the production company behind Big Brother, with a mission to instill Islamic values in children across all faiths. Until now, the superhero market has been dominated by the likes of Batman, Spiderman and Superman who have typically limited their crime-fighting abilities to America and the Western world. They were created by Dr Naif al-Mutawa, a clinical psychologist from Kuwait, who felt Muslim children needed a new set of heroes to look up to, to counter jihadist role models. “It hit me that the stories I was hearing were from men who grew up believing that their leader, Saddam, was a hero, a role model — only to one day be tortured by him,” he told The Times. “I decided the Arab world needed better role models.”

However, despite being called the 99, there will never be a full cast of 99 superheroes since it is forbidden to depict all Allah's attributes

Dr al-Mutawa hopes the cartoons will have a universal appeal.

He said: “It is based on attributes such as generosity and mercy. These are not things that Islam has a monopoly over.”

[nickcarraway]

If they say their names backwards, do they get trapped in another dimension?

[GeronL]

Now they are being brought to British television by Endemol, the production company behind Big Brother, with a mission to instill Islamic values in children across all faiths

Is there much christian TV is the UK??

[Ann Archy]

Is this a bad joke....or can’t they even come up with their OWN naames.

[GonzoGOP]

99 jihadi freaks on the wall 99 jihadi freaks. JADAM comes down, flattens one to the ground, 98 jihadi freaks on the wall.

[VisualizeSmallerGovernment]

Yeah? Well, America has its own Muslim Super Hero, called The One.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Our cousins across the pond have bent over and dropped their drawers for the muzzies.

[jessduntno]

“Now they are being brought to British television by Endemol, the production company behind Big Brother, with a mission to instill Islamic values in children across all faiths.”

When asked what the 99 would like to do with all other faiths, they replied “Endemol.”

[andy58-in-nh]

Endemol???

I think that's their goal.

[a fool in paradise]

Wouldn’t you have to do something heroic to be called a superhero?

[a fool in paradise]

each possesses one of Allah's 99 attributes, the characters include a burka-clad woman named Batina the Hidden

It's my cloak of near invisibility.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I never heard of Allah's attributes. Could some be;

Break wind out of both ends at the same time?

Beat the Olsen Twins in a McRib eating contest?

Swim away from an Oldsmobile without getting wet?

[rickmichaels]

...Allah's 99 attributes...

Pedophilia, bloodlust, mental illness...on and on up to 99.

[a fool in paradise]

They were created by Dr Naif al-Mutawa, a clinical psychologist from Kuwait, who felt Muslim children needed a new set of heroes to look up to, to counter jihadist role models. “It hit me that the stories I was hearing were from men who grew up believing that their leader, Saddam, was a hero, a role model — only to one day be tortured by him,” he told The Times. “I decided the Arab world needed better role models.”

It only works if you make Saddam and others the villains in these stories.

[Allegra]

I like it. Here's a suggested slight revision...

99 jihadi freaks on the wall 99 jihadi freaks. JADAM comes down, flattens one 'em to the ground, 98 no more jihadi freaks on the wall.

[NativeNewYorker]

I prefer this Jabba.

[Travis McGee]

Remember when Britain was Great?

Put a fork in Eurabia, it’s done.

[a fool in paradise]

However, despite being called the 99, there will never be a full cast of 99 superheroes since it is forbidden to depict all Allah's attributes

Just as we cannot depict all 57 states plus Hawaii and Alaska on our maps.

[Red Badger]

99 bad old terrorist on the wall,

99 bad old terrorists.

Take one down and...............

[a fool in paradise]