CAIR:
Posted on 01/17/2005 1:50:07 PM PST by kezekiel
Jack Bauer's going to have to call in the reinforcements to get through this one.
Facing heat over how Muslims are depicted in its countdown thriller series 24, Fox is working to mend fences before time's up.
The latest season of the Fox drama, which kicked off a week ago, stars Kiefer Sutherland as special agent Bauer. His latest race against the clock to save the world from terrorism has angered America's Muslim community by its portrayal of a Muslim family as a sleeper cell at the heart of a dastardly plot.
Rabiah Ahmed, spokeswoman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told Broadcasting and Cable that the show is "taking everyday American Muslim families and making them suspects...It's very dangerous and very disturbing."
In response to the complaints, the network has agreed to a modest mea culpa--offering a public service spot to its affiliates that depicts the American Muslim community in a positive light.
"We met with representatives of CAIR on Wednesday and found the meeting productive and informative and we look forward to working with them in the future," Fox said in a brief statement.
On its Website, www.cair-net.org, CAIR thanked Fox for "the opportunity to address the Muslim community's concerns and for the willingness of network officials to take those concerns seriously in an atmosphere of mutual respect and co-operation."
"Network representatives said they had already reviewed existing episodes and removed some aspects that could potentially be viewed as stereotypical," the organization added.
On previous seasons of 24, the terrorists have included Eastern Europeans and rogue U.S. and British agents. This fourth season the main terrorists so far are a Muslim dad, mom and teenage son.
CAIR was ticked off even before 24's clock started ticking down with its first four episodes on Jan. 9 and 10. The group was tipped off after a promo DV Dwas issued in Entertainment Weekly. Then, CAIR's concerns escalated when the premiere episodes aired and, at 10:39 a.m. in the fourth episode, the mother, Dina Araz (portrayed by Iranian born actress Shohreh Aghdashloo, Best Supporting Oscar nominee last year for House of Sand and Fog) was depicted poisoning her son's non-Muslim girlfriend because she thinks the girl might jeopardize their plans.
CAIR rep Ahmed says the group wants to avoid sterotyping of Muslims, which could translate into ill-will and even civil rights abuses or hate crimes. Ahmed reports that, per surveys conducted by CAIR, most Americans believe it's okay to curb Muslim's civil rights during the war on terror.
The show's creative and executive production team attended the meeting along with Fox netowrk representatives. (Producers referred all calls back to Fox.)
CAIR, which is sponsoring the PSAs, has requested the 30- and 60-spots be broadcast before, during or after 24, which airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT. However, it will ultimately be up to local station managers to choose if and when to run the PSAs, which feature the line: "Muslims are part of the fabric of this great country and are working to build a better America."
So true (and so sad). CAIR makes a big noise over a tv SHOW, yet is surprisingly quiet when REAL LIFE events occur.
There must be something to the story that will explain why the Secretary of Defense was the target. The first two episodes made me think of "Lion's Game" by Nelson DeMille. Written pre-9/11 and a bittersweet read post-9/11.
It's amazing that everybody else under the sun can be cast as villains, but not Muslims. I guess the truth hurts.
Just another robbery. Yawn.
Me, too!
I think this story line goes all season.
We have no intention of ever 'making nice with Muslims'. They slit your throat while patting you on the back.
Me, too!
Even better!
Makes me want to puke. Oh, excuse me, I just did.
CAIR:
LOL! Oh, of course! And every terrorist looks like a Norwegian dairy farmer.
His portrayal of Jack Bauer is outstanding. Jack is an intense, whatever-it-takes terror fighter, and the most credible action hero around (in an admittedly incredible genre).
Indeed
A pictorial lesson.
Thanks.
Words fail...
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.