Doha - The Arabic-language media were lambasted yesterday by speakers for projecting a wrong image of Islam.
The (Arabic-language) media are not independent and controlled by the powers that be. It has failed to highlight the positive aspects of Islam, speakers debating 'Islam in the Arabic-Language Media' said.
The discussions were held at the Ramadan Tent hosted by the Centre of Environment Friends (CEF) and present was its chairman, Dr Saif Al Hajri.
It is called the Green Tent. The audience.
Speakers included Sheikh Mustapha Al Sairahi, Dr Ahmed Abdul Malik, Abdul Aziz Al Sulaiti, Marzook Bashir, all Qatari literary figures, Nizar Abedin, a prominent media person, and Dr Zakaria M A Hadi, from the Shariah faculty of Qatar University, among others.
Severely criticising the Arabic-language media, Malik said the aspect of forgiveness in Islam was ignored entirely by the media. He blamed Arabic-language TV channels for dividing Muslims along sectarian lines by harping too much on Shia-Sunni strife, for instance.
Malik said that, unfortunately, in the Arab world loyalty to the authority was considered as a sign of being a true follower of Islam. "You are not considered a true Muslim if you oppose authority."
He was bitterly critical of Islamic scholars as well and said they presented Islam in a way which scared people. "Islam is not something to be scared of."
Malik wondered why the scholars wore typical attire when discussing religion in the media or public. "Their body language is also scary," he remarked.
"Why can't we dress in a suit and discuss religion. What's the harm? It would, in fact, help in attracting people," said Malik.
Hadi said that it was sad that the West was viewing Islam in the light of what happened on 9/11 and the acts of suicide bombers and terrorists.
He said he was based in London for 15 years and invited Dr Yusuf Al Qaradawi to address a public meeting there after 9/11. Just as the meeting started word spread that some extremists were holding a meeting at some other place, so people left the venue and went there instead, said Zakaria.
The Arabic-language media lacked a unified strategy and objective and needed to do in-depth reporting, said Abedin.
© The Peninsula 2007
