In response to an email petition criticizing the Muslim Public Affairs Council’s decision to honor the Bollywood film “My Name Is Khan,” Introversed has asked bloggers to weigh in with their stances on the issue. First, some context…
In case you are not familiar with the film, here is a trailer:
Below is a copy of the email being circulated last week by Muslim Americans who have reservations about the film. We have also included links to the letter sent to MPAC from this group, as well as a response sent Sunday from MPAC.
We want to know where you stand. Do you think MPAC should recognize “My Name Is Khan,” or do these Muslims raise important points about stereotypes that warrant a reconsideration on the part of MPAC?
Dear Concerned Muslim American Community Member:
As Salaamu Alaykum. In February of this year, a new Bollywood film, My Name is Khan, opened in U.S. theaters. Although it is claimed that the film promotes tolerance and understanding, My Name is Khan reproduces racist stereotypes about African Americans and presents our diverse and dynamic American Muslim community through a “Good Muslim/Bad Muslim” lens that does an injustice to our community. For a cogent review of the film, pleases read Su’ad Abdul Khabeer’s article “Khan Breaks New Stereotypes (but Reinforces Old Ones)” featured on Altmuslim.com.
Despite the problematic depictions of Muslims and non-Muslim African Americans in My Name is Khan, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) has decided to honor this film by awarding it the prestigious Voices of
Courage & Conscience Media Award at the 19th Annual MPAC Foundation Media Awards on May 1, 2010. This is particularly alarming because of MPAC Foundation’s stated goal of honoring media and artists committed to positive portrayals of Islam and Muslims, promoting diversity and social justice issues, and inspiring action. Yet, it is precisely because of the trust many Muslim Americans have placed in MPAC that we cannot let this kind of violence and erasure go unchallenged. Please find attached a letter that will be sent to MPAC’s Executive Director, Staff, and Board of Directors to express our disappointment with their choice, urging that they rescind the award.We invite you to read the letter and sign on to show your support for this effort. If you would like to sign on, please email your name and affiliation (or location) to MyNameIsNotKhan2010@gmail.com by 12:30pm/PST, Wednesday, April 14th.
Note: Since we began collecting signatures, MPAC’s Executive Director, staff, and Board of Directors have been provide the letter’s draft language. They have declared their willingness to seriously consider its contents and the support it garners. Insha’Allah, this will present an opportunity for some much needed consciousness-raising around issues of race, class, media and civic engagement in the Muslim American community.FiamanAllah y Pa’lante,
Jihad Saleh Williams, MPA Suad Abdul Khabeer
Congressional Muslim Staffers Association Princeton UniversitySophia Kizalbash Arshad I. Ali, PhD
Native Youth Leadership Alliance UCLA
Aisha al-Adawiya Linda Sarsour
Women In Islam, Inc.
New York, NY
Anisa Abd el Fattah
Fatemeh Fakhraie
National Assoc. of Muslim American Women Muslimah Media Watch
Hud Williams
CAIR – GA
Zaheer Ali
Columbia University
Kamilah A. Pickett, MPH, JDLiving Islam in America
Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur
Living Islam Out Loud
*Signatories’ affiliation are listed for identification purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect institutional endorsement.
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