DAR AL HARB - U.S.A. - MASSACHUSETTS: MOSLEMS UPSET WITH THE '24' STORYLINE

Fox’s face of terror: Muslims voice concern over portrayal of terrorists on ‘24’
By Lauren Beckham Falcone
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - Updated: 08:23 PM EST

The plot of the hit Fox drama “24” may make for exciting television, but Muslim groups fear their representation as terrorists does more than entertain - it vilifies an entire religious group.

“I think that TV has quite an effect on how people think,” said Nadeem Mazen, past president of the MIT Muslim Association. “So much of what we hear on Muslims is hearsay - an expert opinion by people with a personal agenda and not necessarily motivated by truth. And then a show like this comes along that perpetuates the ‘them’ factor.”

The plot of the sixth season of “24” takes place two years in the future and is the most fear-mongering to date. America is being bombarded by Islamic suicide bombers, the president’s chief of staff sets up Muslim internment camps, civil rights and privacy laws are more flexible than Mary Lou Retton and the seemingly sweet Muslim teenager next door happens to be a terrorist complicit in the first nuclear attack on American soil.

Of course, it’s a show. But TV not only reflects the zeitgeist - it also influences it, some say, meaningthe writers of “24” have to be careful, said Rabiah Ahmed, spokeswoman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

“I saw ‘24’ (on Monday) and we do have concerns with the show,” Ahmed said. “We are monitoring it and will be contacting our contacts at Fox to discuss those concerns.”

...

“After we met with them, they understood where we were coming from and took measures to ameliorate and mitigate the damages of the (plot), including running a public service announcement,” she said. “Like all Americans, we like a good show and a good drama. But as an advocacy group, we have to consider the image and interest of our community.”

Syed M. Ali Khan of the Muslim Community Support & Services in Braintree just hopes audiences consider the source, so to speak.

“TV shows are out to make money and get ratings,” he said. “They aren’t there to create awareness. I hope people realize that it’s just a money-making machine and (are) not stupid enough to buy into the propaganda.”


TRUTH HURTS ! ! !

Pertinent Links:

1) Fox’s face of terror: Muslims voice concern over portrayal of terrorists on ‘24’