Muslims complain of Hollywood "bad guy" image - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 01-25-2007, 11:36 PM

LONDON (Reuters) - Western movies from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" to "Aladdin" promote negative stereotypes of Muslims by casting them all too often as villains, a British Muslim pressure group said on Thursday.

"There is no such thing as a Muslim good guy," said Arzu Merali, co-author of a report by the Islamic Human Rights Commission that argued that movies played a crucial role in fostering a crude and exaggerated image.

The commission's study, based on soundings taken from almost 1,250 British Muslims, also found that 62 percent felt the media was "Islamophobic" and 14 percent called it racist.

"Cinema, both in Hollywood and Britain, has helped to demonize Muslims. They are portrayed as violent and backward. That reinforces prejudices," Merali told Reuters.

"This stretches back before the 9/11 attacks in the United States," said Merali, head of research at the campaigning body.

Prime Minister Tony Blair's government has commissioned studies into attitudes toward racial and religious minorities following bombings in London in 2005 when four British Islamists killed 52 people in suicide attacks on the transport network.

The government has cracked down on radical extremist preachers who, it says, inspire suicide bombers.

But critics say the government's focus on Islam could backfire if Britain's 1.8 million Muslims feel under attack.

The report pointed the finger of blame as far back as the 1981 blockbuster "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in which "the cultural stereotypes and scenarios are patently obvious" as veiled women hurry through the bazaar to snake-charming music.

The 1998 film "The Siege" starring Bruce Willis and Denzel Washington was accused of reinforcing "the monolithic stereotype of the Arab/Palestinian/Muslim being violent and ready to be martyred for their cause."

Disney's cartoon was criticized for describing Aladdin's homeland as "barbaric."

The report called for British film censors to be given greater power to cut out "objectionable material" and said media watchdogs in Britain should be more effective in ensuring "responsible coverage" of Muslims.

Ireneparalegal · 01-25-2007, 11:38 PM

Ohhhhhh, cry me a river. Boo hoo.

comedyfreak · 01-26-2007, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Ohhhhhh, cry me a river. Boo hoo.

LOL

It was the extremists who brought down the WTC, what do they expect?

JuicyCoutureGirl · 01-26-2007, 02:30 PM

Aladdin a bad guy?! Um, let me pop the movie in my DVD player to double check because I remember Aladdin as the good guy...

My goodness, they should find something better to do then count how many negative images of Middle-Easterns are on T.V and movies.

I can name dozens of bad guy images who are white and black. I can only name one bad muslim on T.V/Movies.

Ireneparalegal · 01-26-2007, 02:47 PM

I think they should worry more abt the REAL ISSUES of their religion and politics rather than worry abt fictional characters on telelvision and in movies.

Are they mentioning how they are portrayed in the 9/11 movies?????? Hmmmm, probably not. They are proud of that sh*t.

JuicyCoutureGirl · 01-26-2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I think they should worry more abt the REAL ISSUES of their religion and politics rather than worry abt fictional characters on telelvision and in movies.

Are they mentioning how they are portrayed in the 9/11 movies?????? Hmmmm, probably not. They are proud of that sh*t.

Oh sh*t! I hate to say it, but yeah, some of them are. They need to focus on imporant issues, thanks to them, i'm longer comfortable flying an airplane with one of them.

Once, a few of them were about to board an airplane with me and my sister and i remember that everybody was about to lose it, especially me, and I hate to say it, my sister and I changed our flight. No way was I about to board a plane with them, they kept on looking around like someone was out to get them and etc. I know it's wrong to do that....

01-25-2007, 11:36 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Muslims complain of Hollywood "bad guy" image LONDON (Reuters) - Western movies from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" to "Aladdin" promote negative stereotypes of Muslims by casting them all too often as villains, a British Muslim pressure group said on Thursday. "There is no such thing as a Muslim good guy," said Arzu Merali, co-author of a report by the Islamic Human Rights Commission that argued that movies played a crucial role in fostering a crude and exaggerated image. The commission's study, based on soundings taken from almost 1,250 British Muslims, also found that 62 percent felt the media was "Islamophobic" and 14 percent called it racist. "Cinema, both in Hollywood and Britain, has helped to demonize Muslims. They are portrayed as violent and backward. That reinforces prejudices," Merali told Reuters. "This stretches back before the 9/11 attacks in the United States," said Merali, head of research at the campaigning body. Prime Minister Tony Blair's government has commissioned studies into attitudes toward racial and religious minorities following bombings in London in 2005 when four British Islamists killed 52 people in suicide attacks on the transport network. The government has cracked down on radical extremist preachers who, it says, inspire suicide bombers. But critics say the government's focus on Islam could backfire if Britain's 1.8 million Muslims feel under attack. The report pointed the finger of blame as far back as the 1981 blockbuster "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in which "the cultural stereotypes and scenarios are patently obvious" as veiled women hurry through the bazaar to snake-charming music. The 1998 film "The Siege" starring Bruce Willis and Denzel Washington was accused of reinforcing "the monolithic stereotype of the Arab/Palestinian/Muslim being violent and ready to be martyred for their cause." Disney's cartoon was criticized for describing Aladdin's homeland as "barbaric." The report called for British film censors to be given greater power to cut out "objectionable material" and said media watchdogs in Britain should be more effective in ensuring "responsible coverage" of Muslims.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

01-25-2007, 11:38 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Ohhhhhh, cry me a river. Boo hoo.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

01-26-2007, 02:30 PM	#4
JuicyCoutureGirl L Hath No Fury Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 09, 2006 Location: Drinking Margaritas With The L Word Ladies at The Planet Posts: 782	Aladdin a bad guy?! Um, let me pop the movie in my DVD player to double check because I remember Aladdin as the good guy... My goodness, they should find something better to do then count how many negative images of Middle-Easterns are on T.V and movies. I can name dozens of bad guy images who are white and black. I can only name one bad muslim on T.V/Movies.
	__________________

01-26-2007, 02:47 PM	#5
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	I think they should worry more abt the REAL ISSUES of their religion and politics rather than worry abt fictional characters on telelvision and in movies. Are they mentioning how they are portrayed in the 9/11 movies?????? Hmmmm, probably not. They are proud of that sh*t.