(SACRAMENTO, CA, 3/24/14) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations- California tonight welcomed the decision by ABC Family channel to cancel plans to produce a pilot for a new series called “Alice in Arabia.”
According to Variety:
“Just days after the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) expressed concerns over potential stereotyping in the pilot for ABC Family’s ‘Alice in Arabia’ and requested a meeting with execs, the network has decided not to pursue the show that had been announced Monday.”
SEE: ABC Family Pulls Plug on ‘Alice in Arabia’ After Muslim Org Backlash
CAIR Asks ABC Family Channel for Meeting on ‘Alice in Arabia’ Stereotypes
Concerns about anti-Muslim and anti-Arab stereotypes were apparently confirmed with the release of a leaked copy of the pilot’s script.
CAIR: We Got A Copy of the Script for “Alice In Arabia” and It’s Exactly What Critics Feared
“We welcome ABC Family channel’s decision to respond to community concerns by canceling plans for a program that had the potential to promote ethnic and religious stereotyping,” said CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush. “We thank all those who voiced their concerns on this issue, and particular thanks go to the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and the Muslim Public Affairs Council.”
Ayloush said CAIR-LA worked closely with both organizations in discussions with ABC Family channel. He also thanked the many activists who took to social media to voice their outrage using #AliceinArabia.
CAIR is the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
