Sheik Alhilali on 60 Minutes
Television is ideally a secular forum of debate. The portrayal of religious identity is often a touchy issue in Western media. We find Western news outlets such as FOX and CNN accusing the likes of Al Jazeera as possessing a strict Muslim agenda, and that the network distorts the reporting of news to incite fundamentalist Muslim attitudes.
The hypocrisy is all too evident in such beliefs, as the media all to often confuses ‘Western values’ with ‘Christian values’, for instance, where does marriage come into capitalist Democracy? Nowhere, but the construction of ‘the other’ is what is so important to western media – especially when talking about the Muslim faith.
In last nights episode of 60 Minutes we had Ray Martin interviewing outspoken Muslim leader, Sheik Taj Aldin Alhilali. It was clear that Ray was challenging Sheik Alhilali’s comments about women and modesty on the basis of freedom in Australia. However, by doing so, he ignored the Sheik’s freedom to speak his mind. However, in the realm of the media, whenever ‘the other’ (Muslims) threaten so called ‘Australian values’, there is an instant rush to condemn them and reinforce the cultural divide – even if the ‘threat’ is nothing more than a misinterpreted metaphor.
Speaking of misinterpreted metaphors, what about the Bible? But that’s another argument for another time.
In this interview, Martin exemplified ignorance with his line of questioning. Alhilali answered them reservedly – obviously concerned about his public image – however if it were I in Alhilali’s shoes – I would have answered some of Ray’s questions with questions:
RAY: (After showing footage of bikini-clad women at the beach): “Does that offend you or is that just part of Australian life?”- Why is that Australian life? Women wear bikinis in other countries.
RAY: “What about Australian men in Iraq fighting? If they were killed tomorrow, would you cry?”
- Should I cry Ray? Tell me why I should be concerned that there are men fighting a war that I don’t believe in, that is being fought on foreign turf and that is founded on lies. It is sad when a soldier dies defending his homeland, but I guess it is even sadder when a soldier dies fighting for no particular reason. Would you cry?
RAY: “You are on record as saying that you think the militants are brave men and freedom fighters.” - They are. Their idea of freedom may differ from yours or mine – however there is no right or wrong ‘freedom’ is there?
RAY: “Are you a Muslim first or Australian first?”- Since when do you have to prioritise citizenship or nationality above faith?
RAY “Why does that happen all the time? Every time, it seems, people misunderstand you?”
- That’s a question that only you can answer Ray my friend.
You can find the transcript to the interview here: http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/sixtyminutes/stories/2006_11_12/story_1824.asp
The hypocrisy is all too evident in such beliefs, as the media all to often confuses ‘Western values’ with ‘Christian values’, for instance, where does marriage come into capitalist Democracy? Nowhere, but the construction of ‘the other’ is what is so important to western media – especially when talking about the Muslim faith.
Outspoken: How dare he!
In last nights episode of 60 Minutes we had Ray Martin interviewing outspoken Muslim leader, Sheik Taj Aldin Alhilali. It was clear that Ray was challenging Sheik Alhilali’s comments about women and modesty on the basis of freedom in Australia. However, by doing so, he ignored the Sheik’s freedom to speak his mind. However, in the realm of the media, whenever ‘the other’ (Muslims) threaten so called ‘Australian values’, there is an instant rush to condemn them and reinforce the cultural divide – even if the ‘threat’ is nothing more than a misinterpreted metaphor.
Speaking of misinterpreted metaphors, what about the Bible? But that’s another argument for another time.
In this interview, Martin exemplified ignorance with his line of questioning. Alhilali answered them reservedly – obviously concerned about his public image – however if it were I in Alhilali’s shoes – I would have answered some of Ray’s questions with questions:
RAY: (After showing footage of bikini-clad women at the beach): “Does that offend you or is that just part of Australian life?”- Why is that Australian life? Women wear bikinis in other countries.
RAY: “What about Australian men in Iraq fighting? If they were killed tomorrow, would you cry?”
- Should I cry Ray? Tell me why I should be concerned that there are men fighting a war that I don’t believe in, that is being fought on foreign turf and that is founded on lies. It is sad when a soldier dies defending his homeland, but I guess it is even sadder when a soldier dies fighting for no particular reason. Would you cry?
RAY: “You are on record as saying that you think the militants are brave men and freedom fighters.” - They are. Their idea of freedom may differ from yours or mine – however there is no right or wrong ‘freedom’ is there?
RAY: “Are you a Muslim first or Australian first?”- Since when do you have to prioritise citizenship or nationality above faith?
RAY “Why does that happen all the time? Every time, it seems, people misunderstand you?”
- That’s a question that only you can answer Ray my friend.
You can find the transcript to the interview here: http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/sixtyminutes/stories/2006_11_12/story_1824.asp
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