MUSLIMS LIKE US: A Bridge to Moderate Muslims
In , his wife Aasiya prompted him to develop "an American Muslim media where her kids could grow up feeling really strong about their identity as an American Muslim. In February , Hassan was arrested and charged with beheading his estranged wife Aasiya Zubair. Her body was found at the TV station.
They were most recently called to the residence February 6, , the day Hassan was served with divorce papers and an order of protection , [14] where it is reported he was banging on doors and even broke a window. I felt safe and secure with them. The divorce petition cited "violence and inhuman treatment" as the reason. Police reports indicated that Zubair stated her husband's abusive and controlling behavior had begun at least six years earlier.
Sources claimed to be close to the case said hunting knives were used to commit the crime. Prosecutor Colleen Curtin Gable said Hassan, who is stocky and over 6 feet tall, bought two hunting knives less than an hour before the attack, then parked his SUV out of view at the station, and hid in wait inside the station to await his wife. When Hassan's wife walked through the door, he stabbed her more than 40 times in the face, back and chest and decapitated her, some of which was caught on surveillance video.
Their 4- and 6-year-old children, plus a teenage son from one of his two previous marriages, were left buckled into car seats outside in a van during the murder. Hassan, who dismissed four defense attorneys and acted as his own lawyer during the trial, used his two-hour closing remarks telling the jury how he was a slave to his wife's rages. However, Hassan never produced any witnesses or evidence to that substantiated his abuse claims, while prosecutors cited numerous police reports filed by his wife and her medical records which testified to her being the battered spouse.
The New York state jury convicted Muzzammil "Mo" Hassan of second-degree murder after an hour of deliberation. Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita said the sentence was the maximum amount that could be imposed under state law, and that Hassan will not be "eligible to talk to the parole board" for 25 years. Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to the families of the victim. We request that their right to privacy be respected.
Hassan, who had been active at the center's mosque. The victim's sister, year-old Asma Firfirey of the vicinity of Cape Town, South Africa , said she and her husband Amier talked to Aasiya Hassan the day of the murder. According to Asma Firfirey, she heard her sister tell Muzzammil Hassan to "calm down" and that they "could talk the following day about the divorce".
According to Asma and her husband, they described hearing what sounded like her sister struggling to breathe before the telephone connection ended. Asma Firfirey has said that Hassan, whom she calls "the fat man with the evil eyes," will be more dangerous when he is released on bail. Khalid Qazi , president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Western New York and a friend of the couple, said that Hassan "was worried about the station's future" and added " Domestic violence is despicable, and Islam condones it in no way whatever. People said the first marriage failed because the girl was American, the second marriage failed because the girl wasn't patient enough and then, look, the third wife is happy.
The community is an accomplice in the story of Muzzammil Hassan. Conversely, Marcia Pappas , New York State president of the National Organization for Women opined "This was apparently a terroristic version of honor killing , a murder rooted in cultural notions about women's subordination to men. Although the crime was quickly decried by Muslim groups, many talk shows and blogs used the horror of Muzzammil's act to indict an entire community -- in a way that they would never have accused the entire Christian religion because a Methodist man murdered his estranged wife in a horrible way.
Three weeks ago, a Chinese graduate student at Virginia Tech cut off a female friend's head with a knife. Not a single news outlet referred to his religion. On March 5, , Hassan's attorneys announced that Hassan "isn't even a practicing Muslim and that public speculation has been unfair. According to a former employee, in the past few years Bridges TV transformed itself into more of a cross-cultural network seeking to bridge the gap between all cultures. We want a Muslim child who grows up in America to be able to watch our channel and identify with the characters, or to be engaged by the dialogue of issues pertinent to him or her," said Amanat.
First American Muslim Television Channel
Amanat added that stories that shed light on the significant contributions of American Muslims to modern science, art and entertainment remain untold and will be a focus of Bridges TV programming. The network seeks to feature sitcoms that represent American Muslim family life.
The Cosby Show, which portrayed a positive representation of African-American family life, is a model for such sitcom programming. Creation of a channel that features American Muslims comes at a time when the media spotlight is increasingly focused on this population. The channel hopes to "build bridges" of understanding by providing Muslims an opportunity to express their views and opinions about their faith and lifestyle. Given the estimated eight million Muslims living in North America, the channel is long overdue, according to network officials.
Although targeted primarily at a North-American Muslim audience, company officials anticipate that Bridges TV will have some cross-over appeal to other Americans due to world-wide interest about Islam and Muslim lifestyles.
Join: Albert Einstein & you
Most of this initial money is being used to cover legal, filming, marketing and licensing fees. With a pledge of financial support from Amanat, the company's leading investor, the network's next main milestone is securing the 10, paying monthly members necessary to garner cable and satellite television support. Initial projections are to broadcast the channel four to six hours per day. Pending advertising revenue and community support through monthly subscriptions, Bridges TV hopes to evolve into a full-time nationwide cable television channel.
So far the response from potential subscribers has been overwhelming. Over 1, paying members have signed up in just one month. If American Muslims want to bring this kind of television programming into their home, we need their support as members -the viability of this project depends on American Muslims. Related posts from similar topics: The Secret History of Muslims in the U. An Islamic Perspective Legacy of Dr. Sulayman Nayang Rashida Tlaib: One of First Muslim U. On Historic Win as U.
Amazing 15 Facts Ilhan Omar: Midterms Election Agendas for American Muslims Disclaimer The opinions expressed herein, through this post or comments, contain positions and viewpoints that are not necessarily those of IslamiCity. These are offered as a means for IslamiCity to stimulate dialogue and discussion in our continuing mission of being an educational organization. The IslamiCity site may occasionally contain copyrighted material the use of which may not always have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. IslamiCity is making such material available in its effort to advance understanding of humanitarian, education, democracy, and social justice issues, etc.
Muslims Like Us: A Bridge to Moderate Muslims - David J. Roomy - Google Книги
We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U. Section , and such and all material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: I would like to join hands with the rest of the arab and muslim community in the North America in support of this broadcast channel that would at last get our voices heard and not let others preacg the public what they think about our beliefs.
It's a good news for me as a muslim. I think its about time that we muslim do something that benefits us all. As a muslim I'm supporting the ideas and hope I can get more details and the truth about our muslim brothers in America as well as other conntries too. Its about time that we muslim to impart more valuables ideas for the sake of our muslim brothers.
I am very excited about this venture,it,s long overdue. I am sure that many Muslims feel the same. This is what all muslims living in US have been eagerly waiting for. All of our family living here would like to have this in their homes. We will all make it a success. Instead of erecting numberous Mosques, which has become the squabbling places for Muslims, this new and long awaited initiative is most welcome. Asalaam Alaikum, I think that this a great idea. I know if this is offered to our cable company I will subscribe. Its great to learn that there is such thing as bridges tv that will dedcate in bringing islamic cultures in american life in american context.
I pray to allah that this becomes a succes story and inspire many more to folloew the same. Please let me know if i can help in anyway. I was very happy to know that we will finally have a channel that we could share with our familes,however I was wondering if non muslims could have access to it without having to subsribe.
Will there be international satellite coverage in the future?
- BREAKING NEWS?
- Will God Answer MY Prayers?.
- Welcome to the New IslamiCity.
- Truly modern Muslims – TheTLS?
- Navigation menu.
- First American Muslim Television Channel - IslamiCity.
There will be a keen interest from all sectors of society; a need for key positive role models in the programming. May Allah bless you in this venture. I am very excited to hear about bridge TV. May Allah make it happen. May Allah give the brothers and sisters who have taken this job all the success and courage to show the truth and avoid shows which are vulgarity. We have to show the purity of Islam. I wish the our Arab leaders learn a lesson from this and atleast support the people who have taken this initiative. I pray to Allah to give you all success both in this world and hereafter. I hope we can see your programmes in Toronro, Canada.
Alhamdolillah,this great work was overdue and it is a great and hard work put in place by the Brothers South of our border. Now all of the Muslim community would be able to learn something from the tv show,especially the younger generation ,who are growing up in this modern day society.
Further, the masses will have an opportunity to enjoy decent programs and also a chance to liberate themselves from the bondage of unjust and biased media and their perpetual lies. Unfortunately, most of us in the West have become overly dependent upon TV.
Although I disagree with those ulama who say that TV is totally evil and needs to be removed from the Muslim home, the benfits of TV are minimal. Therefore we should strive to eliminate as TV as much as possible from our lives, and concentrated on studying, reflecting upon, and practicing our Deen.
I challenge all Muslims in America to join in this great effort.
Muzzammil Hassan
I am so sick and tired of having to settle for what is on the stations now. It is high time for Muslims to stand up and be accounted for in this country. As a black American Muslim, I feel left out most of the time. I cannot understand Al Jazeera and cannot relate to Christianity. I cannot wait for this to become a reality!!! As an american muslim I would like to express my enthusiasm on having such a channel, finally we will have something for our children and parents to look forward to, and it will also make us feel more as if we are not so foreign.
I would like to petition for this to become a much needed success in the American Muslim Community. May Allah swt bless this intention and make it a success the entire ummah Muslim as well as non Muslim Ameen. It's about time we had a channel for Muslims! Growing up in the U. A, I know how difficult it is for young Muslims to grow up in a non Muslim country. Now they and Muslims in general will have a channel to watch that will represent their lifestyle.
I hope the channel also appeals to the non-muslim population as well. This channel should be a Global Muslim Television channel. How can we see this in Pakistan? I never thought i would see something like this in my life time. Thank you for even thinking anout it. Anything i can do to help? Please let me know. I believe this is a commendable thing, and all Musims should join hands in encouraging this and providing donations.
I think there is nothing wrong with drama or sitcoms, as long as its done in an Islamically acceptable way, we must all accept that television has become a part of our lives, and almost all Muslims living in North America have a need for dramatic television, is it better for them to watch 'friends' or a soap opera or is it better for them to fulfill this need with Islamically wholesome programming, which was previously unavailable.
If Muslims want progress then we must take the freedom are religion has given us and use it to our benefit rather than restiricting ourselves when Islam has taught us to do no such thing. If one simply has commentary and news, the children will turn the channel to NBC and adults will only watch it for the 6 'o' clock news and then change the channel back to the evening movie or the newest 'survivor' it is essential that we provide drama; after all art is what makes life liveable. I think having sitcoms or 'drama' shows is a bad idea. It should mostly provide news and commentary about what's going on in the muslim world, and also show documentaries and movies from muslim countries I think this is a very good achievment for all muslims in this country.
I hope this channel also draws attention and interst of the general nonmuslim americans. This is indeed a Rahma min Rabina to all Muslims and all of mankind. What a wonderful news. The Muslim community is taking shape and gaining strength in a consistent and progressive way thanks to many hard working Muslim men and women who makes up the body of several Muslim Organizations.
I am convinced that BridgeTV will help give an extra energy to all involved and non involved Muslims and will be our visual voice ,in all aspects ,into American homes. Alhamdulillah and thanks to those who has taken this bold and time oriented most appropriate step to apread the message. Most non-muslims surrendered to Islam motivated by the wonderful character of its followers. But unfortunately, many muslims around the world are trying to take a non-conventional way of spreading Islam through violance and such approach is more damaging to Islam as evident by last couple of years incedents.
I strongly believe, a pure and modern form of Islam will start spreading from this land USA and the 1st step has already been started. Thanks to all and May Allah show us the correct way. North American muslims is a very vibrant and educated community and can contribute a lot towards peace and development. Our youth and children need a good islamic channel to learn tolerence and peace. Muslim community in North America can help in transfer of technology to underdeveloped muslim countries. We can help in the field of education preventive medicine and computer sciences.
The Bridges TV can act as a catalyst.