Muslim reality show premieres tonight
Saad Mohammad with the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City reminded me via Facebook about tonight’s premiere of the new reality show “All-American Muslim.”
The show is to air at 9 p.m. on TLC (Cox channel 40). 
Here’s what TLC has to say about the show:
“What is it like to be Muslim in America? TLC answers that question with All-American Muslim, a powerful series that goes inside the rarely seen world of American Muslims to uncover a unique community struggling to balance faith and nationality in a post 9/11 world.
All-American Muslim follows the daily lives of five American Muslim families in Dearborn, Michigan, one of the most established and largest concentrations of American Muslims in the country. Each episode offers an intimate look at customs and celebrations, as well as misconceptions, conflicts, and differences these families face outside and within their own community.”
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I think it sounds like an interesting show. A few months ago, The Oklahoman’s Life section featured a short story that included information about it.
I thought I’d remind readers about the premiere.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Oklahoma to Istanbul
Louisa McCune-Elmore has written another missive from Turkey. 
McCune-Elmore (pictured), editor-in-chief of Oklahoma Today, is a Religion and Values guest blogger writing about her trip to Turkey.
The trip is being sponsored by the Institute of Interfaith Dialog, an organization that promotes interfaith awareness and understanding all over the globe, including Oklahoma.
Here’s McCune-Elmore’s latest missive: Orhan’s Magic Carpet Ride
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Oral Roberts’ grandson speaks out
“On Faith,” the Washington Post’s religion and spirituality blog, features essays/articles with Oklahoma connections today.
Of note is the ”Guest Voices” commentary by Randy Roberts Potts, the grandson of renowned televangelist and Oklahoma native, the late Oral Roberts. Randy Roberts Potts, described at the end of the commentary as Oral Roberts’ gay grandson, talks about the way Christians see homosexuality: “Jesus’ message for homosexuals: It gets better.”
The blog also features ”Guest Voices” commentary by Nihad Awad, the national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Awad’s subject is State Question 755 approved by voters Tuesday. It prohibits Oklahoma courts from considering international law or Sharia law when making decisions: “What banning Sharia law means for Oklahoma Muslims.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
What should “Ground Zero mosque” leader be saying right now?
The Washington Post’s “On Faith” blog panelists have shared their thoughts about what the “Ground Zero mosque” leader Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, should be saying in light of the growing controversy surrounding the proposed plans for Cordoba House (the project’s name) about two blocks from Ground Zero. The panelists were asked what message of faith could Imam Rauf offer to Muslims and non-Muslims that could turn this moment of division into a time of healing.
Interested in what they have to say? Here’s a sampling:
Aseem Shukla, co-founder of the Hindu American Foundation: ”An important dialog about propriety and religious freedom has morphed into one of the most disturbing, polarized and often profane shouting matches over faith in recent memory. But, disturbingly, the person who can most easily defuse a storm that threatens America’s vaunted values of tolerance and pluralism, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, is completely and continuously absent from the scene. Absence may make the heart grow fonder; but absence can also make malice grow stronger.”
Jordan Sekulow, human rights attorney and director of international operations at the American Center for Law and Justice: “It is Imam Rauf, and not the bipartisan majority of Americans from all walks of life who oppose the Ground Zero Mosque, who must apologize for fueling anti-American Islamic terrorism. As more information about Rauf becomes available, it is clear that he has spread the same kind of propaganda that al Qaeda uses to recruit new terrorists and is out of touch with reality when he joked about suicide bombers in front of a foreign audience.”
Danielle Bean, Catholic author and editorial director of Faith and Family magazine and Faith and Family Live: ”Having a “right” to do something does not necessarily make it the “right” thing to do. Imam Rauf may not be the problem, but he has an opportunity to be part of the solution to this ugly and divisive controversy.
We need look no further than Pope John Paul II for an example of the peace-making power of sometimes backing down. As Archbishop Timothy Dolan reminded us last week, in 1993 there was a similar conflict between Jewish leaders and Polish Carmelite nuns who lived in a convent on the grounds of Auschwitz. Technically, the sisters had a “right” to reside there. But because the late pontiff respected the sensitivities of a wounded people and the raw emotion attached to a location so closely connected to tragic injustice, he wisely ordered the sisters to move.”
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To get to the “On Faith” blog to read the full text of the postings, go online to: Ground Zero mosque leader
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Is Obama a Muslim? Some folks think so …
A recent national poll reveals that more Americans now believe President Barack Obama is a Muslim. 
I don’t know if that is because he recently waded into the debate regarding a proposal to build an Islamic cultural center and mosque at Ground Zero, or not, but these findings are interesting.
Who said religion was a boring beat?
They lied.
Incidentally, The Associated Press just reported that White House spokesman Bill Burton, when informed of the poll results, said Obama is a Christian who prays every day.
Here’s a link to the survey findings:
(AP Photo: President Barack Obama)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Proposed mosque near Ground Zero causing concern
By now, you might have heard about a proposal to build a mosque and community center called Cordoba House near Ground Zero in New York City.
Some people are expressing their concern about having a mosque in that particular area.
On Faith, the Washington Post’s blog about religion and spiritual matters, has posted in-depth comments about the issue from its panelists of different faiths.
It makes for some pretty interesting reading … and we are going to be hearing more on this issue, I’m sure. Read for yourself by visiting On Faith: Mosque near Ground Zero.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Today’s Conversation: Miss USA 2010 is Muslim
There are several religion topics being discussed around the proverbial water cooler today, particular the fact that the new Miss USA is a Muslim.
Rima Fakih was crowned Miss USA several days ago and her religious affiliation made news almost at once.
Here’s what some are saying about the Lebanese-American Fakih, reportedly the first Arab American to win the Miss USA crown:
CNN’s Belief blog: Miss USA: Muslim trailblazer or Hezbollah spy?
New York Times’ The Lede: In Miss USA Contest, a Novel Twist
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Obama inauguration: Diverse voices at the table
There still is, however, the National Prayer Service at the National Cathedral, where another of President Obama’s choices, the Rev. Sharon Watkins, has made headlines in recent days.
That service is set for Wednesday, with former Oklahoman Sharon Watkins, general minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma and Canada, to deliver the sermon. She became the topic of conversation because she is the first woman to deliver the sermon at the National Prayer Service.
Here are some more details, gleaned from The Associated Press. They suggest that President Obama is keeping his promise of bring diverse voices to the table, so to speak.
In addition to Watkins, there will be Ingrid Mattson (pictured at left), the first woman president of the Islamic Society of North America, who will offer a prayer. The society is the nation’s largest Muslim group.
Also according to The Associated Press, three rabbis, representing the three major 
branches of American Judaism, will say prayers at the service. They are reform rabbi David Saperstein (pictured at right), conservative rabbi Jerome Epstein and orthodox rabbi Haskel Lookstein.
And traditionally the Roman Catholic archbishop of Washington — in this case the Most Rev. Donald Wuerl – leads a prayer, the AP said.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
The Simpsons get thanks from Islamic group
Bart and Homer Simpson have done their part to promote religious tolerance and bring awareness to the harmful stereotyping of Muslims and the father-son duo are being lauded for their efforts.
Actually Fox television network and Matt Groening, the creator of “The Simpsons,” have been applauded for Sunday’s episode of the long-running cartoon.
The Greater Los Angeles area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) sent a letter to Groening on Wednesday, thanking him and the network for the episode titled “Mypods and Boomsticks.”
In the episode, a young Muslim character named Bashir and his family face bigotry when they move to Springfield. Homer Simpson characteristically wrongly suspects that the family is involved in a terrorist plot. Bart Simpson, however, befriends Bashir and defends him from bullies.
The letter from CAIR, posted on the organization’s Web site, said the episode “brought to light how Americans can work toward mutual respect and inclusion by getting to know their neighbors.”
CAIR applauded Groening’s use of humor to shed light on the distrust and stereotyping of Muslims many call “Islamophobia.”
“Because of its acceptance in popular culture, comedy is often one of the best vehicles for challenging stereotypes and intolerance. Fox and Matt Groening are to be congratulated for tackling the disturbing phenomenon of Islamophobia,” Nihad Awad, CAIR executive director, said.
Watch the episode by clicking here: “Mypods and Boomsticks” Simpsons episode
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
