ANAHEIM, Calif., March 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The Greater Los Angeles-Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) 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
http://tinyurl.com/njceuk6
CAIR Asks ABC Family Channel for Meeting on 'Alice in Arabia' Stereotypes
http://tinyurl.com/o2ur72w
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 "AliceIn Arabia" and It's Exactly What Critics Feared
http://tinyurl.com/o96fatv
"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.
CONTACT: CAIR-Greater Los Angeles-Area Communications Coordinator Yasmin Nouh, 714-776-1847, 714-851-4851, ynouh@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
