Sunday, Mar 15, 2009
Gulf News
Cairo: A few years ago, Egyptian Islamist members of parliament demanded 'raunchy' music videos be banned on television.
They accused the shows of pervading immorality and corrupting young people. Their demand apparently fell on deaf ears as Arabic MTV-like channels have mushroomed over recent years.
A newly-launched TV, however, vows to buck the trend. 4Shabab (For Youth) has recently gone on air with the avowed mission of reviving the 'genuine' Arab values and changing the West's misperceptions on Islam.
To do this, the channel airs music videos by Muslim singers, in addition to soap operas and talk shows.
"We have a new vision of art, beauty and humankind," said Ahmad Abu Haiba, the managing director of 4Shabab, which targets both the Arab world and the West. "Our channel is the new tune of Islam. It is promoting dialogue and seeking to remove negative stereotypes of Islam and the Arabs," he told a ceremony marking the launch of the channel in Cairo.
4Shabab transmission is currently available in the Arab world and Europe. Abu Haiba said it is due to reach the US by June, Australia later this year, and the Far East by 2010. To this end, the channel plans selected English music videos with Arabic subtitles, and producing special shows in English.
The new television also presents game shows including one titled Who Wants to Be an Islamic Pop Star? 4Shabab is financed by eight Saudi and two UAE entrepreneurs.
"I am not asking people to be Islamists," said Abu Haiba. "I just want to pass on the right messages through entertainment."
Abu Haiba is known for introducing the now-influential Egyptian preacher Amr Khalid to TV audience in the Arab world on a popular show some years ago. Abu Haiba has also produced many of Egypt's women-orientated Islamic shows.
He admits that the programmes on 4Shabab appear to be male-dominated. "We are trying to present our message without any provocation. There is also a shortage of female applicants. For example, we have not yet received a single application from women for the show' Who Wants to Be an Islamic Pop Star?'," he said. He, however, hurried to note that the channel presents programmes targeting Muslim women.
"This includes programmes tackling problems facing the veiled women in getting jobs." Abu Haiba braces himself for criticism from Islamists, who dismiss music altogether as haram (impermissible).
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
