It’s a Muslim Jersey Shore!
OK, not really. But TLC’s new series All-American Muslim does follow the MTV hit’s trend of delving into a cultural community for reality entertainment.
The show will focus on five Muslim-American families in Dearborn, Mich., which is home to the largest mosque in the United States. “All-American Muslim is a perfect fit for TLC, inviting viewers into a world they might not otherwise experience,” says Amy Winter, GM, TLC. “Through these families and their diverse experiences, we will explore how they blend their values and traditions with everyday life in America, providing insight into their culture with care and compassion.”
The show debuts in November, here’s the official description:
The families featured in the series share the same religion, but lead very distinct lives that often times challenge the Muslim stereotype. Among the handful of subjects profiled are Shadia and Suehaila, who are tight-knit sisters, but while Suehaila wears the traditional head scarf, is active in the Muslim community and prays five times a day, Shadia is outspoken, has piercings and tattoos and recently married an Irish Catholic who is converting to Islam. Also recently married, Nadar and Nawal are having their first baby and trying to find the balance between their traditional Muslim roots and American culture. Mike, Deputy Chief for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Dept., works tirelessly to educate the department about the Muslim religion in an effort to reduce discrimination and ignorance while his wife, an executive who works as a consultant to a major auto manufacturer, struggles to find the balance between work and raising a modern Muslim family. Throughout the series, viewers will see these families through some of life’s biggest events and challenges—from getting married and the birth of a first baby, to juggling busy careers while raising a family, to managing sibling dynamics and finding “Mr. or Ms. Right”
sounds like a blast.
wow what a smart comment. Give me a break.
hey, I write jokes for Tracy Jordan.
LOL
So i’m Muslim, and i’m not too sure how I feel about this yet…
I don’t know if I’ll watch because if it’s anything like the Muslims I know, the show will be pretty boring and not much different than my own life.
Well i as a Muslim must say that i am proud..You should feel proud that us as citizens of Dearborn are finally mapping ourselves a new name besides “terrorists” that’s how you should feel.. Don’t act as the people around us…selfless and ignorant.
Hmmm. You say you don’t want to be judged, yet you say everyone around you as ignorant which is the same judgement you don’t want. I am not going to hate Muslims, but until people stop blowing themselves and innocent people up in the name of allah I am going to be cautious. That isn’t being hateful, it is being prudent and wise.
All I needed to know about Muslims, I learned on 9/11. If Muslims TRULY wanted to distance themselves from “Islamic extremists,” you would start speaking out against them…OFTEN and LOUDLY. Otherwise, I will be boycotting not only this show, but all of its sponsors!
Well said!
I agree.
Agree Wombat319!
I think the American people were looking for outrage from the Muslim community, after the 9-11 attack. At least to show your loyalty to this country.
what a bunch of self righteous idiots! every race has suffered from the results of a war invovlving “our country!” so what if it was the “muslims” involved with 9-11, what about the japs! (my country folk) who were responsible for 12-7? and the honkies who enslaved the blacks, or the blacks who are also a part of “the muslim” beliefs? we are all US citizens or people OUR! government entrusts to live together under one nation (ha!) so whether we’re yellow, black, white or red! we’re all to blame for what our nation has become and are also responsible to help hold it together. stop blaming the “muslims” when it was the USA that helped to create the terrorist groups and supply them with the necessary weapons that in turn killed alot of men and women who unselfishly gave their lives for the sake of getting “even” with Osama!!!
Done right this could be great for America. Done badly. . . .
If the Browns can make polygamy look not that bad then perhaps this can make american muslim’s seem approachable.
How sad that something is needed to make them “seem approachable.”
I don’t think Muslims, or anyone else for that matter, deserve to be in the same sentence as the Browns.
C’mon, what’s wrong with being in the same sentence as black people?
Sounds interesting but I hope it is done is a respectful way. If it is done right, I hope it help with the hate some feel for Muslims in this country.
I know I will be watching because I love learning about different beliefs. So looking forward to you coming on TLC.
Sorry about the typos in the above comment. I meant to say done in a respectful way and looking forward to this show coming on TLC.
If TLC’s approach is to let us into the lives of people we may not know about (polygamists, little people, 56 different kinds of cake bakers, etc) then this would be a good insight for people into the lives of a real Muslim family. Americans maybe need to see this. I may watch.
Yeah would be interesting..
I like this idea.
I will probably watch this. I imagine their lives are a lot like ours, just substitute Muslim for Christian. Just like in a Christian community or Jewish community there are some who are more traditional in their beliefs and some who are more conservative in their practice, and others who are not. I look forward to watching a show that will demonstrate that the majority of Muslims are hardworking people with similar life concerns and goals as everyone else.
…and you think this will accurately reflect their lives? Just like those silly women on the Housewife shows reflect a married woman’s life? Sorry, but in most people’s minds the word Muslim does not belong with the words All American.
Muslims in America are as American as anyone else, serve in the armed forces, pay taxes, vote. A few terrible people do not define a people, just like the Oklahoma city bomber did not define all white people
“Most people’s minds,” or “most ignorant, intolerant racists?” Sorry, but please don’t speak for those of us who understand what is meant by America being a “melting pot.”
Sorry, but “melting pot liberals” are not really so different from intolerant racists – especially the intolerant part. Why don’t you go to NYC and ask some of those motherless, fatherless young adults how it felt to grow up withut a parent? Go bleed somewhere else.
Nice, Andy. Keeping it classy.
Andy and Alex, I’m with you if you also keep it classy and include in your count the few million young adults in Iraq and Afghanistan and how they felt growing up without a parent or with a war disability…
Not valid – those few million(?) young adults in Iraq and Afganistan do not claim to be “All-American Muslims,” now, do they?
oh. and what does? pregnant teen, redneck, druggie, fallen-apart family, plastic surgery, or alchoholic? you people should be happy to have some citizens in america with class and respect. And btw, American muslims respect America and all religions a lot, including Judaism. So before you judge a group of people, try to know them first, and then see how you feel.
The problem is, kids, I don’t see too many “All American Christians” or “All American Jews” TV shows. This is just another piece of B.S. to shove it down our throats, and I am totally DISGUSTED BY THIS SHOW.
Would this not conflict with Muslim beliefs? Not being Muslim myself, I don’t know…but this screams “exploitation” to me.
Hmm, don’t think so. Asked one of my friends though. He said it might actually be harder for the women in the house coz usually ladies don’t cover their heads in the house and for this, theyd prolly would.
I wonder if they will show us how to make explosives and place them in crowded places? Muslims suck and Islam blows!! This is a lame idea and I hope it gets cancelled after the first show.
You’re probably a redneck.
You’re probably a dumb ass!
ButtMonkey: Your name (Did you pick it yourself? Original and descriptive…) says it all. What would suck is if everyone in this country were like YOU (or at least the way you portray yourself on the computer from the basement of your mom’s house). Grow up, dude.
I agree with you.
You can’t identify all Muslims with the small group of idiots that do those horrible things. It’s like saying all Germans are Nazis or all Americans are racist rednecks.
Well it still going to be awareness either way which for me would be interesting coz I only know tidbits of islam from muslims around me in America.
Will probably watch w/o prejudice and see how it goes. You should too.
Ya.. Let’s all just watch how horrible the rest of America treats these selfish ppl.. Stupid
Seriously/?That’s like saying all white, protestant, males know how to turn manure and a rental truck into a bomb!
I applaud that a show like this is actually being aired so that people (I use that term loosely) like buttmonkey can finally shut up.
Too funny, I just predicted a show like this was going to be made (and was surprised it hadn’t already) when I read an article that Ryan Seacrest was doing a series based on affluent Persians in LA. I live nearby and spend a lot of time in Dearborn. The Middle Eastern restaurants are the best in the US (just ask the food critic for the Boston Globe or Chef/Author/TV Personality Anthony Bourdain. By and large the people of Arabic ancestry (Muslim, Chaldean, Christian, or other) are decent hard working American people who love this country as much as any and probably take it less from granted than others. Are there some “bad eggs,” sure, but considerably less than there are “rednecks.” Redneck being used to describe ignorant racists and not “good ole boys/southern ladies.”
I went to a big university where I first encountered Muslim men’s negative attitude toward woman. And then when I was in the working I world, I ended up having to call in human resources when having to work with Muslim men, so that they would act professionally & leave their woman-hating attitude at home. I’m expecting this series to be a watered-down, carefully edited version of Muslims … I would hate, personally, to be representative of my religion & culture & be scrutinized like this show will be …
Muslim men don’t hate women.
Yes they do. Ask ANY woman who has had to work with them.
Yes they do! They like little boy’s like muhammad!
That is what I have found as well. You are correct Sandra.
are you crazy! I work with tons of muslim men who are professional and respectable! m
A Muslim man raped and beat a girl I worked with… Never trust a muslim
That is very silly to say make statements like that… yeah there are some muslim men with that attitude but there are many more who treat women with respect. Think about this too, there are men of all different faiths and backgrounds who mistreat women… there are too many men who are guilty of abusing their wives and mistreating their daughters. To pretend that it is only the few muslim men that you have encountered, that is plain ignorant.
You wrote “to pretend that its only the few muslum men that you have encountered, that is plain ignorant.” and you are correct on that point. It’s millions of them!
I worked with Muslim men as well; they are horrible. If my son acted like Muslim men do to women I would ensure that my “boy” never did it again…or else. In meetings, they totally disregarding your opinion because you’re a woman…even if you’re their MANAGER!! This show is B.S. & meant to further cram the ideas of Sharia Law down our throats. WE WILL NEVER ALLOW IT!! WE HAVE AMERICAN LAW & IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT, PLEASE BLOW YOURSELF UP!
B.S. My friend’s Muslim husband treats her and their daughter like princesses. Not all Muslim men are sexist. Though,I do know plenty of so-called Christian men who are.
This show will do poorly in the ratings.
nobody will watch it. Sounds like what happened in music. Make it accessible to white kids and all will be fine. YAY
I’ve know Shadia & Suehaila since they were little girl’s and can tell you they are 2 very different girl’s but are very loving to their families and extended families.
I am a catholic American who worked with their mom at an Arab community center..I ran the summer camp and they were in my program.
The whole family is very funny and people should enjoy their play’s off one another.
Good luck Shads & Sue!
I agree with Nancy P… I’ve also known Shadia & the whole family all my life… Shadia and I grew up together. I think the show will show how other people look at Mulsims. They need to know that their not all the same, their not all bad! Im so happy for them, i hope nothing but good comes out of it. I am proud to say that I am from Dearborn. Good luck ladies! xoxo