Following an action alert sent out by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Fox television network reported receiving an overwhelming positive response from community members about a recent episode of "The Simpsons" that challenged anti-Muslim stereotypes.
The episode, which aired 11/29, "Mypods and Boomsticks," highlights anti-Muslim sentiment by featuring a young Muslim character named Bashir and his family who face prejudice after moving to Springfield. In the program, Homer Simpson wrongly suspects that Bashir’s family is involved in a terror plot. Bart Simpson befriends Bashir and defends him from bullies.
Hussam Ayloush, CAIR Executive Director/Greater Los Angeles Area, sent a letter praising Simpsons creator Matt Groening, with cc:’s to top Fox management: “On behalf of the Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, I applaud your effort in Sunday’s episode of “The Simpsons” to humanize American Muslims by challenging anti-Muslim sentiment in our society.
By introducing a professional Muslim family, the “Mypods and Boomsticks” episode highlighted the diverse make-up of Springfield and brought to light how Americans can work toward mutual respect and inclusion by getting to know their neighbors.
The episode also builds on the values that have made America the great nation it is – a nation in which citizenship is about finding common ground and building a better society. American Muslims have been doing just that by making daily contributions to our society that often go unrecognized.
I hope you will continue to use humor to help all Americans see other perspectives on important social issues. Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is any way I or CAIR can help you in your future endeavors.”
Warmest regards,
Hussam Ayloush
Executive Director
Council on American-Islamic Relations
Greater Los Angeles Area
CC: Peter Liguori, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Co.
Dana Walden, Chairman, Twentieth Century Fox Television
Gary Newman, Chairman, Twentieth Century Fox Television
To view the entire episode, click here: http://tinyurl.com/6jgq4y
