Let me start by saying that Yes, this thread has to do with Islam, so Yes, on that basis it has a religious nature. However, as we've discussed, sometimes religious thoughts and political thoughts are one in the same, i.e. the separation of church and state arguments, where rights and liberty come from, etc. This article is about a group of Islamic fundies who are pushing Sharia law in a major way..."Sharia Law" thereby making this a political argument.
The only reason I felt compelled to type out this intro at the beginning was because this thread has the potential of being moved just because it has the word "Islam" in it.
Trading Cape for the Burqa
NY Post Oct 11, 2010 - Andrea Peyser
Hide your face and grab the kids. Coming soon to a TV in your child's bedroom is a posse of righteous, Sharia-com pliant Muslim superheroes -- including one who fights crime hidden head-to-toe by a burqa.
These Islamic butt-kickers are ready to bring truth, justice and indoctrination to impressionable Western minds.
Scheduled for release on the new network The Hub -- formerly Discovery Kids -- which launches today (Time Warner and DirecTV carry it in the city), is a cartoon beloved in the Arab world and received timidly in Britain last year, "The 99."
The program chronicles the adventures of 99 superheroes, each of whom embodies an attribute of Allah.
Jabbar is a Muslim Incredible Hulk. Mumita is wicked fast. But Wonder Woman-style cleavage has been banned from the ladies. And, in this faith-based cartoon, hair-hiding head scarves are mandatory for five characters, not including burqa babe Batina the Hidden.
In another break from standard world-saving fare, male and female characters are never alone together. (Imagine the stoning super-strong characters would dish out.) "The 99" even has the seal of approval of a Sharia board -- which polices Muslim law -- affiliated with an Islamic bank from which the show received financing.
What a great time to come to the United States!
No higher an authority than President Obama praised the work of the comic's creator, Kuwaiti psychologist Naif al-Mustawa. At an April meeting with Arab entrepreneurs, Obama said, "His superheroes embody the teachings of the tolerance of Islam."
There was no stopping it.
The Hub, a joint venture with Hasbro toys, announced in May that it would produce and air episodes of "The 99." But then, murmurs of dissatisfaction turned into a cry.
How can a secular nation endorse a children's show aimed at pushing one religion?
A Times of London columnist wrote last year that the show's mission was "to instill old-fashioned Islamic values in Christian, Jewish and atheist children."
Then last month, the conservative Family Security Matters think tank published a piece titled "Meet the Muslim Superheroes Who Are Ready to Indoctrinate American Kids."
Acknowledging Mustawa's efforts to bridge cultures, editor Adrian Morgan asked, "Are we going to see ass-kicking Christian superhero nuns called Faith, Hope and Charity whooping sinners' butts and sending Satan into hell? It's doubtful."
The effect was quick.
The debut of "The 99" has been pushed back at least until January, said a Hub source who asked not to be named. He blamed unspecified "production issues" for the delay.
Some New York parents don't want to see it at all.
"They're taking advantage of the fact that in every middle-class household, Mom and Dad are working their asses off," said Andy Sullivan, a Queens construction worker and dad who's been fighting the Ground Zero mosque.
"They know the kids are watching TV or on the Internet. So maybe Sharia becomes OK. It's a game. It gradually becomes more and more in their lives."
Mom-of-two Trish Mobley said, "I have no problem with Muslim superheroes, but lose the burqa. A female superhero should not wear a symbol of subservience to men. It's also completely impractical when fighting bad guys."
"Muslim superheroes?" asked Rich Pecorella, who lost his fiancée on 9/11. "They're dragging religion into an area that we don't drag religion into in this country."
Now we're getting a comic book based on a wheelchair-bound Muslim superhero. What's next?
I have no doubt Muslims are as fast and strong as any Supermen. But we don't need religious icons masquerading as good guys.
Cancel "The 99" before it starts.
