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One of my life long goals!
Nazia
09/17/01 at 22:49:26
slm, Today during my seemingly [i]endless[/i] CORBA class,(you CS peeps should know what that is!) I decided that my time would be better spent making a list of all of the things I wanted to do in my lifetime, Insha'Allah.  And one thing that I've been thinking about for about a few months now, and even more so in lieu of last week's tragedy, is starting an all day news station.  Kinda like CNN---except run by a Muslim!  This, however, seems like an incredibly large endeavor, and I wouldn't even know where to start.  All I know is that it would take 3 things. 1)The help and guidance of Allah (SWT) 2)Money 3)Manpower We all keep saying that Muslims need to get in the media, make their presence known insha'Allah.  But could you imagine if we *were* the media!? Subhan'Allah!  That would be amazing.  I would hire people of aaalll nationalities and backgrounds because people love watching people from the same country as them!  Commercials would have to be halal-only.  Everyone would get their respective religious holidays off.  The top execs would be mainly Muslims so we would create an atmosphere of peace and kindness. (Can anyone tell I am the ultimate idealist?)  Could you imagine?? News reporters sporting beards, getting Eid day off, all kinds of stuff!  The horrors of Palestine, Iraq, Kashmir, Chechnya, Phillipines, etc all brought to light.   The trick however, would be not letting people catch on that its run by Muslims.  It would have to be soo subtle, else people would oppose it, think its too faith based etc.  We live in such a secular society here in the U.S that putting any religion as the driving force of an operation is like becoming an evangelist or something.  I don't know--this kind aof thing may not even work here in the U.S, but that's where I think we need it most. So what do you think my first step should be?  Babysteps..you know?  You think we would have to start off as maybe just a news show on some local access channel?? I don't know..Anyone want to give me about $1 billion to play with? Do you think maybe I should just start a magazine or newspaper instead??   Tell me anything! My mind is so jammed with ideas right now that I can't even pull one individual one out and examine it coherently! I know it just sounds like wishful thinking...and maybe it is.  But we have to start somewhere, right? We could be called: JustNews our logo could be: The Truth Unveiled. ;-D Anyways..tell me ideas--and/or alternatives!! ps-Saleema, se7en come work for me ok? <Insha'Allah>  :) Take Care Wassalam, Nazia

Re: One of my life long goals!
jannah
09/17/01 at 23:18:17
salam Nazia, Today CAIR actually took a step towards what you are talking about. They want Muslims to write articles on Islamic issues and eventually try to get these published in mainstream media. So all Muslim writers, step up inshallah!!! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW WRITERS SYNDICATE OFFERS MUSLIM VIEW OF ISSUES (WASHINGTON, DC, 9/16/2001) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based Islamic advocacy group, today launched its new "Independent Writers Syndicate" designed to offer a Muslim perspective on current political, social and religious issues. The service will distribute original commentaries to newspapers and web sites throughout North America. "For too long, the Muslim viewpoint has been largely missing from opinion and editorial pages in North America. This new service is designed to help refute the claim that this imbalance is due to a lack of usable submissions," said CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. During an initial trial period, the commentaries (and later political cartoons) will be offered free-of-charge to one media outlet in each market area. Permissions for publication will be granted on a first-come-first-served basis. (Contact the individuals listed below to receive columns distributed by the syndicate or to have your commentaries considered for distribution.) Opinion page editors may also request columns on specific topics. There are an estimated seven million Muslims in the United States and some 600,000 in Canada. Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in this country and worldwide.                                         - END - CONTACT:        Riad Abdelkarim                 E-Mail: riadzuhdi@aol.com TEL: 949-378-2468                 Hussam Ayloush                 E-Mail: cair_sca@cair-california.org TEL: 714-878-9888

Re: One of my life long goals!
se7en
09/18/01 at 14:27:48
wa alaykum as salaam wa rahmatAllah, [quote]ps-Saleema, se7en come work for me ok? <Insha'Allah>  [/quote] Heck yeah!  I'm game inshaAllah :) We've made some radio shows for one of the local college radio stations here.. and it's really amazing how *easy* it is to do things like that if you know *how* to do it -- we had to have someone train as an engineer, attend a few meetings, reserve times on the schedule and tada.. we're on the air, with listeners from all over the place hearing our message! Lesson:  You *can* get into media, if you know how to WORK THE SYSTEM. I think it'd be the same with public access.  I know our Imam did a few shows on the public access channel here a while back. It's just become really evident to me that Muslims need to learn how to do PR, how to use the media effectively.  A channel like this would be great.. would probably appeal to the same people who listen to NPR and read the Independent.  It'd be an "alternative" news source, and I'm certain people would watch it. [quote]I don't know..Anyone want to give me about $1 billion to play with?[/quote] The sad thing is, there are actually Muslims who *have* that much money.  I doubt though that they'd give it to us for something like this :P [quote]Do you think maybe I should just start a magazine or newspaper instead?? [/quote] In email recently, someone suggested starting an online magazine -- but the idea was shot down, because there are already a lot of magazines out there, and it might be better to use our efforts in them instead of starting from nothing, you know what I mean? Nazia, I don't see this as wishful thinking.  If we can get 25 peeps with the appropriate backgrounds -- degrees in journalism, law, finance, communications, history, etc; who are willing and dedicated to getting this puppy started - and we get organizations at our back, and we raise the funds.. it *is* something possible bi-ithiniLlah. But I think that instead of starting from nothing, we should work off of what other people have already established.  Like that thing Jannah posted, or the Islam Project.  Have you heard about it?  It's AWESOME.  I'll type up the thingie for it inshaAllah.. I think we should work on a weekly, one hour show for radio (like democracy now! or the shows we've done at WRPI but more professional) or a show for television.  We make the show *noice* and get it played on different public/college stations all over the country. If you're serious about this.. the first thing we need to do is RESEARCH.  Figure out what's already been done in terms of media, the best way to go about doing this.. See.. I just started college and people are pushing me towards journalism or law.  The thing is, I don't want to end up working at the local supermarket with a degree in journalism!  I want it to actually be *of use* to the ummah.. Aiite that's enough out of me..  :) wasalaamu alaykum.

Re: One of my life long goals!
BroHanif
09/18/01 at 17:08:49
I don't know whether this would help but I know a Bro whos willing to start up a newspaper here in the UK and I think it would be nice to have some sort of US perspective on how Islam is portrayed over there. And anyway in the age of communications frontiers and seas no longer matter, you can be in the nx room or the other side of the world. If anyone is interested in working for this paper, let me know I'll let the bro know. Salaams for now Hanif

Re: One of my life long goals!
ahmer
09/21/01 at 15:11:45
[slm] Great !!the life goal of yours is noble, so can we go ahead with something tangible? well i saw this dream sometime back too.:) i have some real ideas about it. we have to start somewhere and i guess the best way is to start a web news portal. dont get scared!! :) we can do it. see i was in this dumb class i had to take this semester, so i decided to do write down some issues about it. right from the college book..... - Reports from Muslim communities - Regular, Serious reporters appointed in major Muslim communties  initially on voluntary basis, NJ & Iowa these two places i can take care of through people i know. NY cities and other cities can also be managed insha'Allah. - Regular Structure of editors, reporters and content people - portal to be updated dynamically - News portal should focus on Muslim communities and its activities, facets of life, social etc. rather than focusing extensively on International issues, should try to connect the world with the American Muslim community in a better way. - Create a fund for this purpose to begin with. - extensive advertisement of the web site. now my idea is to use the same jannah.org site for news portal. just cuz it already is visited more and can increased. these were just my ideas. alhumdolillah right now i am editing the ICNA-NJ's "Assalamu Alaikum" magazine that comes out every 4 months, it's a 16 page issue with diverse range of issues. We already have a team of 6 bros/sis that's experienced alhumdolillah to handle NJ affairs with regards to the proposed portal. This magazine is mailed freely to 30,000 Muslim homes in tri state area. I can mail you the recent copies of this magazine insha'Allah, pls provide with a mailing address where i can mail you. this magazine has a big impact. so these were just my scribbles that i shared with u guys.  I am very serious about pursuing this if you guys want to go ahead. Any ideas are welcome. to start with we can have this portal and then move to an online radio station and u never know how much Allah puts his barakah !!! insha'Allah it will be gradual but hafta start somewhere. i can also draw financial resources from ICNA-NJ here..!! if you want.lots other things in mind too... anyways i have to go for my class now insha'Allah cya laters, i m living here virtually!! :-) [wlm] ahmer

Re: One of my life long goals!
Nazia
09/23/01 at 09:44:16
slm, *gushing* such support..such kind words, how sweet! :) Well, here's what I've done since I last wrote.  I've been getting a more concrete idea of *what* it is exactly that I want, and I've been trying to recruit people! :)  Additionally, I emailed Michael Wolfe (Hajj--CNN), Riz Khan (CNN, also hajj segment) and Fareed Zakaria (Newsweek).  Now I know some of you may have issues with some of the aforementioned people--but nonetheless they are Muslims in a non-Muslim media and I wanted to know how they did it!  Don't get me wrong, I'm not exactly *counting* on any of them to write me, but it would be great wouldn't it!?  Especially Michael Wolfe!  Does anyone have his email address?? Because I have a feeling the one I had was outdated.. Well if you have it, don't post it, but send me an IM! Thanks! So guys, everyone's ideas sound great, let me throw mine out while we're at it. I want something (a magazine maybe) thats *not* just focused on Muslim issues.  Something that EVERYONE would read...not just Muslims.  Because it seems like we can find a bunch of Muslims who seem to know about what's going on in the Muslim world and non-Muslim world...but we can hardly find any of our own neighbors and buddies in the west who know anything beyond their borders.  So basically I want to create the next TIME magazine....except it would be UNBIASED--Insha'Allah!  So essentially, I'm looking for a magazine RUN by Islamic principles of truth, and honesty, but NOT displaying Islamic theologies. (ie--not based at a solely Muslim audience)  Soo idealist! I know!!  That's my biggest problem.. I seem to forget (or ignore) that the media industry is perhaps the most cutthroat industry out there!  Thats why I emailed Muslim journalists--to find out how they maintain Islamic principles (assuming they did) in such an almost anti-Muslim business.  (Anti-Muslim meaning the industry itself seems to lend itself to unislamic behavior.) Anyways, I need to go for now...will chat later Insha'Allah, Take Care, Wassalam, Nazia

Re: One of my life long goals!
Nazia
09/23/01 at 09:43:51
slm, EEP!!! Michael Wolfe wrote me back!!! Woohooo!!! :o:o ok, just thought you guys might want to know :) Take Care, Wassalamu Alaikum, Nazia

Re: One of my life long goals!
Merimda
09/23/01 at 23:54:13
Salam, You might want to contact Haroon Siddiqui, he writes for the Toronto Star. He is well known and respected by both Muslims and Non-Muslims in Canada. Often he is invited on panel discussions, by the media to discuss political issues, whether Muslim related or not. Recently he was awarded The Order of Canada, the most prestigious award in Canada. His email address is hsiddiq@thestar.ca I had an ambition, it was media related as well, but just a couple of days ago I discovered that someone recently carried it out..so I was denied the opportunity and was kinda of disappointed for a while. But insha-Allah I'll think of new new ideas and was glad someone was thinking along the same lines as me. Anyway, don't lose hope, insha-Allah. Salam, merimda

Re: One of my life long goals!
solehah
09/24/01 at 05:09:48
[quote]slm, I know it just sounds like wishful thinking...and maybe it is.  But we have to start somewhere, right? [/quote] Salaam Nazia *Smiles* It doesn't sound like wishful thinking at all to me. In fact, owning a media network has always been part of my friends' and my ambition.  We were actually thinking of going to LA this January to recce the place for suitability in terms of our start up business. However, in light of the recent events, we are adjusting our plans. To be honest with you, our long term goals include not only media network but also Muslim-based medical services and schools.  LOL We were actually thinking of naming our hospital Mt Hira, giving Cedar-Sinai a run for their money :) I think we all start with a dream. What separates the dreamers from the dream makers is how serious they are about translating that dream into reality. I am very happy to know that you have this dream and Insya'ALlah I pray for your success in translating this dream. Looking back at the days when I was a tomboy running after a goose just cos the critter bit me on my tush, I never thought that one day I would be a mother of two children, laying sleepless at night, wondering how I can make the world a better place so that my children can realise the fullest potential as Muslims that are mukmin. I know I can start the process by teaching my children that life is not just about THEM. That there are OTHERS sharing this small world with them. That being a Muslim is being part of a whole brotherhood and sisterhood of faith and love...and peace. Someday, we will have a media network that will serve ALlah and His truths. Someday, we will see a dream realised, Insya'ALlah. Wassalam.

Re: One of my life long goals!
flyboy_nz
09/27/01 at 23:10:13
Asalaamu alaikum, just wondering if you have heard of Q-news?  the news editor is Fareena Alam and she has set up an excellent site- www.themodernreligion.com.  Tho the magazine isn't mainstream, perhaps you could contact her and get her opinion? Its good to have dreams like this, may Allah guide you to make your dream a reality. :)

Re: One of my life long goals!
abc
09/28/01 at 00:40:47
Assalam alaikum wa rahmatullah MashaAllah Nazia, this is a noble goal and may you have the strength to achieve it :) ameen So care to share with us what Michael Wolfe had to say about it? just curious :) wassalam

Re: One of my life long goals!
Saleema
09/28/01 at 01:43:28
[slm] Hey, i'm just reading this right now. count me in Nazia! :) the way to get into the system is to keep quite about unpopular political views until ur some big hot shot. that's what i'm doing, sort of... like i will try not to be too controversial. i need to know how the game works before i try and do anything unpopular. see, they screen u out from your college life, seriously. If i write unpopular articles in the newspaper contantly and create an uproar amongst students then once when i'm out of college u think anyone will hire me? cuz they check ur stories, etc. And the internships with journalists--good way to weed you out, if they like you they will hire u after u graduate, if not, they'll give u the boot. right now i'm working for my college tv station and it's good, but i know my limits. Riz Khan (CNN, also hajj segment) and Fareed Zakaria (Newsweek).  Now I know some of you may have issues with some of the aforementioned people--but nonetheless they are Muslims in a non-Muslim media and I wanted to know how they did it! Fareed? Fareed? I would not work with him in a million yrs. seriously. dude, Time magazine is not all that it's made out to be. Don't know what to think of Riz yet but Fareed has compromised a lot, or he never had any respect for the ummah to begin with. i hate his articles, they are poorly written and i stoped reading them cuz they would just make me mad. The magazine, The Economist is good, i really like them, much more balanced and their writers know how to actually write. it's not hard to get in the media Nazia, it's hard to say the truth once ur on it and that can cost you your career. so tell us what did wolfe say???  :) [wlm]

Re: One of my life long goals!
Nazia
09/28/01 at 23:15:19
slm, Ok guys...I'm getting more and more serious about this as the days go by...You know when you have a calling in life??  Well thats how I feel!  Like its my responsibility to deliver the TRUTH...Anyways, I've decided that I want to get a joint Masters in Theology and Journalism (a program they actually offer at Temple University!) so INSHA'ALLAH I'll get in!  Make dua!! :) Oh, Michael Wolfe kinda reassured me a bit.  He said that being a Muslim with talent is actually an asset in this field...and its not just hard for Muslims..its hard for *anyone*.  And he suggested I look into Master's programs in this field.  He's the bomb!! Masha'Allah. I was sooo excited when he wrote back...you guys have no idea...I called up all my friends within two minutes. :) Anyways, here's what I want to do.  If anybody out there is *seriously* interested in this...and maybe is working on a journalism degree..or anything actually...then PLEASE madina IM me with your email address,  and I'll form a little email list.  This way we can discuss ideas..see what's already out there (as se7en mentioned) and see what needs to be done...and how we can do it.  Even if you don't live in America...still IM me...because eventually we'll need overseas reporters :) Insha'Allah. You know...I'm really scared that when Allah (SWT) asks me what I did to help the state of Islam and the Muslims...I won't have an answer.  And I *really* don't want to find myself in that predicament..Insha'Allah.  And I pray none of us EVERY do.  Ameen So be in touch ok peeps?? Take Care, Wassalam, Nazia

Re: One of my life long goals!
Nazia
09/28/01 at 23:24:21
slm, just saw one br.jaihoon's post's in another thread: [quote] But is it not time to come with an 'alternative' media than to blame the western media. Why don't the Muslims formulate their own global 'media formulae' to match the chicken noodle network? For how long will we keep ourselves on the receiving end? [/quote] Yes!! my sentiments exactly...we're 1.3 billion strong...surely we can come up with something! Insha'Allah... Take Care, Wassalam, Nazia
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