Dearborn, Michigan used to be famous for being the auto headquarters of the world. These days, it's better known for producing the extreme poise and class of Team Rima Fakih and All American Circus...we mean, Muslim. Why anyone would expect reality television to explain Islam to Americans in a factual and clear way is beyond our comprehension. Unfortunately, those who are outraged by the show among the Muslim community need some perspective: it's a show about Muslims, not Islam.
All-American Muslim is not a form of propagation of Islamic beliefs due to the kindness of the hearts of television executives. In fact, TLC is rivaled by only MTV when it comes to documenting subgroups of American culture that are entertaining (read: filled with drama) and different. Would anyone watch a show depicting five devout and pious Muslim families? Absolutely not! If the show offends you as a Muslim, then you've got bigger problems with reality than reality TV could ever show you. All-American Muslim doesn't even begin to highlight the problems our community faces. There is merit in condemning the idea it represents Islam, but it certainly provides a snapshot into some of the growing epidemics facing our community.
Event planner Nina Bazzy wants to open a night-club. Considering the way she is dressed and carries herself, was anyone expecting her to open a mosque? As terrible as her portrayal of an American Muslim is, we shouldn't worry about that image. We should be more concerned about the countless number of our youth who partake in haram activities at venues such as night-clubs.
Another slightly ironic situation arises when many in the Muslim community voice outrage at the wedding that takes place on the first episode of All-American Muslim. Well, I'm outraged that you're outraged. Every day in Dearborn, a gender mixed wedding takes place, where women, even those in Hijab, wear formfitting dresses and makeup and dance with men. In fact, Dearborn weddings have constantly been the topic of discussion by scholars who have been offended and frustrated with this community's failure to take a stand against mixed weddings with music, dancing, and immodest dress. Why is it that now this is a problem, and previously no one said anything? Un-Islamic weddings have become such a norm in Dearborn that otherwise practicing individuals find themselves pressured into attending or even incorporating strictly un-Islamic practices into their own weddings.
Perhaps it would be against our interest to realize that many Muslims fall short of the great status God has given us as followers of Islam. The worst part of it all? TLC didn't make anyone act in a way that was untrue to them. The families shown on All-American Muslim are part of our community too, and they are far from the only ones who may disregard Islamic laws. Of course, not all the characters on the show behave in this way. But at the end of the day, TLC has its own agenda to promote. Watering down Islam and making it kosher serves the interest of many parties and powers. However, our interest doesn't lie in fighting a reality show, but rather, making sure that our daughters embrace dignity over the disgrace of immodesty, and making sure our community seeks to reach a more profound level in our understanding and practice of Islam.
In a few years, TLC will find itself a new community to document and edit to its liking, but in a few years, how many more Nina Bazzys will our community have produced?
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Comments
I don't think it's necessary to mention names, even though what she is intending on doing is wrong, nonetheless, great written article.
JAZ
:)
Quoting bismilah:
Also the rant about weddings in Dearborn has absolutely NOTHING to do with the TLC program.
Those things aside, overall a good article
salaam
jj
As far as the show goes, I am indifferent. I didn't expect it to portray a positive image, nor do I feel its necessary for Muslims to put out a reality show if only to prove to other Americans that we are the "same". Because we aren't, and never will be.
It's true, that issues need to be addressed, but maybe we should try going about them in a more positive way.
Quoting dont worry about it:
Quoting dont worry about it:
And btw, i can afford more than her.....by the grace of ALLAH!
1) Hardly any people who share their opinions that are not compatible with Nina are her haters.
2) Hardly anyone who criticises her are jealous of her wardrobe or whatever other garbage. Infact these people probably belong to the first group if they do.
3) There are certain characteristics that are associated with being Muslim and following Islam. You cannot find somebody breaking the speed limit and call him a safe driver, and then when somebody says, 'that isn't right', you ask, 'no drivers own the road, what is this, a kindergarden?'
You haven't learnt the basic tenets of Islam if you think that opening a nightclub is a reasonable action from a Muslim. Yes, certain things are expected of anybody calling themselves Muslim. Just like you can't say you're in Cambridge university and wear the uniform of Oxford, you can't call yourself a Muslim if you don't adhere to certain guidelines. Otherwise, what is the difference?
Obviously people going to strip clubs and ordering halal nuggets are fooling themselves, but it doesn't justify what they are doing or what anyone else is doing if they are doing the wrong thing. When they will be asked about it, they probably won't have an answer.
Remember that money isn't everything. One day we are poor, we become rich for a few years and then what? No poor person takes their poverty with them to the grave neither are rich people accompanied by their wealth.
Your language is probably the first reflection of just how 'Muslim' you are. Use it to rate yourself.
The problem I have with all of the Nina Bazzys out there is that they claim to be Muslim and speak about Islam as if it is a buffet that you can pick and choose from. News Flash: Islam is a religion with rules, just like any other religion. To claim that you are Muslim means that you are striving to fulfill those laws, NOT that you can dress like a hooker because it is your version of the couple sentences you read about the religion.
Live your life how you want to, but don't claim to be Muslim when you are clearly not striving to follow everything that it teaches. Its like saying I am a doctor because I attended a couple courses that I felt were convenient for me to take at a Medical School. It makes NO SENSE!
I am not saying that I am perfect or that anyone else in Dearborn or anywhere else is. But to claim that you are a Muslim requires a lot more than what you grew up with culturally. Islam is a way of life so let's start working on that.
"I am not saying that I am perfect or that anyone else in Dearborn or anywhere else is."
You are contradicting yourself. If you are not perfect then you must not always follow the rules. So you are just like them.
"Islam is a way of life "
Just think what if you were born in India and you became and Hindu, or what if you were born in Europe and were a Christian. You would be defending a whole different religion.
All you know is Islam because you were brought up by Islam.
"To claim that you are Muslim means that you are striving to fulfill those laws"
You are absolutely wrong if you think that because I or any other Muslim are not perfect then that means we are not Muslims. If you were to base your idea of a Muslim on a perfect being, then no one after the Ma'soomeen has ever been a Muslim. Try to think before you make such rash and illogical conclusions.
As for your comment "All you know is Islam because you were brought up by Islam", how do you even say that without knowing me or anything about my finding Islam? No, Islam was not handed to me on a platter. I chose my religion and I find it offensive for you to say things like that.
Regardless of people being brought up in a Muslim family or not, Islam IS A WAY OF LIFE. That is exactly what religion is! When I say Islam is a way of life, I am emphasizing the fact that we can not pick and choose sections of it. Islam is a complete package that tells us how to live our lives and how to prepare ourselves for the next life; in this way Islam is a way of life.
It doesn't get any more clear than that. If you still don't get it, let me know so I can further clarify.
Regardless, to claim that you are Muslim means that (like I previously stated) you are STRIVING to follow the rules and recommendations given to you from the Quran, Prophet, and Ahl-ul-Bayt. Period. You can't claim to be Muslim and do otherwise.
I just want to add that it's amazing to see that the people who are angry about Huda's mentioning names and criticizing Dearborn for what it is refuse to see that those individuals allowed themselves to be scrutinized by appearing on TV. Whether or not these people like it, the characters in the aired episode are representing Dearborn. They most definitely allowed their religious motivations and behavior to be analyzed by appearing on a show called All American Muslim. There is just no way to claim a right to privacy after such an act.
Really the only reason I can see these critics of Huda's article being upset is that they are from Dearborn and are embarrassed because of their excessive community pride. Alhamdulillah, most everyone can see that being from Dearborn does not mean having to defend shallow and vulgar behavior, and that is where all discussion should begin and end. Most people who are religious and from Dearborn will quickly recognize that everything Huda said is absolutely true, and not just about Dearborn but many other communities. Unfortunately, when all you know and care about is your own community, you fail to see that very obvious distinction.
I know of no muslim country (other than that of taliban!) that does not have music at weddings...even in Saudi they allow it!
I may not agree with the Lebanese centered cast but I like that it shows Muslims on TV in something other than a terrorist role.
Islam tells us that we should enjoin the good and forbid the evil. Sister Huda is simply pointing out right from wrong. That is what the Qur'an and ahadith tell us. Music is also a clear cut issue for us based on the teachings of Ahlul Bait. Who is closer to the Prophet, Abu Bakr al Arabi or Ahlul Bait?!
"Oh you who have Faith! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those charged with authority among you. Then, if you quarrel about anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. This is better and very good in the end." (Surah an-Nisa, verse 59)
Alex, if you throw away the words of the Prophet, you will not know how to follow the Qur'an even with basic things like your daily prayers. This is because the Prophet is not just a message carrier, but the example of the Qur'an in action. Abandon the Prophet and you are abandoning Islam.
By the way, the belief of the Submitter community is completely against Islam. People can read more about it here: en.wikipedia.org/.../...
7:199 Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; But turn away from the ignorant.
You raise a good point, place of focus. These problems are becoming increasingly more severe in our youth and in the adults. How do you suppose we can help?
It's filtering what Islam is, In the face of the Ummah
A Scholar once said, the reason The Tragedy of Kerbala happened was because the Kufans made what was unnaceptable the norm! The Ummayids can be compared to America, EU and NATO who impose this
In the year 2002 the GDP in all Arab countries combined did not equal that of Spain, Even more troubling, Spain translates as many books into Spanish each year as the entire Arab world has translated into Arabic since
the ninth century.
Yes keep your dark age traditions.
"how many more Nina Bazzys will our community have produced?"
I think the real issue is that the writer of this article is obviously envious of Nina Bazzy. Huda has the same problem that most Islamic fundamentalism have, and as Sam Harris says on Islamic fundamentalism.
"Above all, they appear to be suffering from a
fear of contamination. As has been widely noted, they are also consumed by feelings of humiliation over the fact that while their civilization has foundered, they have watched as godless, sin-loving people become the masters of everything they touch"
Huda sees Nina as one of those "sin loving" people reaping the benefits of the modernized world.
Concocting assumptions about the author's 'real' intentions is futile.
The difference between years ago and today is today you are aware of it in mass. There are muslims who own and run bars, prostitution rings and worst throughout history and now.
This has nothing to do with the WEST and EAST as the devil doesn't care where you live. American society doesn't was much different in 50, 100 and 200 years ago then today. The problem is Muslims today is greater transparency.
I think we're ashamed of a show like this, but the shame is not the fact that people are shown sinning. We have all committed sins and seen muslims who are willing to do it openly.
The shame is that we have not done more ourselves to show a better image of Islam. We do not have an internationally televised show that highlights the good of Islam.
We should have more than that. We should have our own channel, our own movie studio, and more. We should have shows that don't have Islam in the title but just happen to show good, practicing Muslims doing things like going back in time, turning into superheroes, solving mysteries, and making people laugh.
I am also not going to play the "blame game" and point fingers at the "Masjid", the "Religious Guides" or any other thing as such institutions are merely "fillers" - these are all 'supplements' (just as pills such as multi-vitamins are supplements to what we don't get with our full meal at the dinner table) - however is it possible that within 100 years or so of Muslims being in "The West" they have become so unrecognizable from "others"? I don't expect them all to be wearing "Islamic/Arab clothing" and leading the lives of their ancestors "back home" and the like, however there is some major disconnect with what I saw on the TV and what Islam as a religion and way of life teaches... When Muslims travelled to far off regions such as China, Indonesia, Russia, Africa, Spain, etc... did they do so and completely lose their independence and identity and take on the host nations way of life as I see today?
Maybe I am reading too much into this show and should kick back, relax with my feet up on my comfy sofa, download (ahem) the episodes as they come on the Torrents, and just chill and watch them for what they are .... entertainment on the Tell-Lie-Vision...
Peace ...
is what it is
all we are able to do is observe and interpret that truth from our perspective
the reality is we are not all alike.......get over it
in this day in age, there is way too much diversity in expressions of humanity let alone faith.
whether we like it or not Diversity is the norm
as a practicing Muslim you are expected to enjoin the good and forbid the evil, and your attempt at doing so may not be well received or understood
not from a place of slander and accusations
I mean look where this conversation has gone: one writer states that Huda is just jealous because Mrs. Bazzi has nice clothes and fancy stuff
which is ridiculous
if the writer of those words knew Ms. Jawad they would know that a person like herself is actually not at all interested in any of what Mrs. Bazzi has....it isnt about that
and in fact the writer who has accused Ms. Jawad of this, is simply speaking from their own reference point
what this thread deals with, is how we differ in our understanding and perception of success
one party believes success to be solely monetary, materialistic
while the other views success in terms of expressions of faith which relate to maintaining modesty and morality
which is astronger characteristic to attribute to the self?
Money, while worked hard for, can be taken away in a day...in an hour
Morality/modesty, also hard to work for, if upheld...can never be broken
I know it is from a position of love and care, that Ms. Jawad wonders how many Nina Bazzy's this community will produce
Not as an insult to Mrs. Bazzi
but more so as a way to evaluate, if our focus will remain on the demoralization of our society at the expense of earning a dollar and having what corporate America has told you are nice things...or increasing our morale
It would have been nice if the author ended the article saying that praying for other people, especially Muslims, and keeping them in our dua is one of the best ways to help them change and improve their lives.
All American Muslim doesn't speak for this Muslim: religion.blogs.cnn.com/.../...
and
Defending TLC's All American Muslim against Muslim complaints:
religion.blogs.cnn.com/.../?hpt=hp_c2
A relevant hadith comes to mind: "O Ammar, if you see Ali going through a valley and the rest of people going through another valley, follow Ali and leave people because he neither leads you to a bad fate nor takes you away from right guidance."
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