If self-deprecating humour is a distinctly Canadian characteristic, then Zarqa Nawaz's production of Little Mosque on the Prairie is testament to the rich multicultural heritage in the North. The first of eight episodes of Little Mosque on the Prairie aired last night amid much hype and a baffling amount of media attention, including coverage in various parts of the world (see CNN and BBC for just two examples), a feature story by CNN's Paula Zahn (video clip), a CBC promotional event that involved camels traipsing about in downtown Toronto, and an email alert from CAIR-CAN urging Muslims to watch the show. For those of you who don't know, Little Mosque on the Prairie is a new CBC sitcom featuring a community of Canadian Muslims living in Mercy, a fictional small town in Western Canada. The series has made headlines for its supposed controversial nature - Muslim characters in lead roles on prime time television. With humour to boot.

But much attention creates heightened expectations, and the first episode has proven somewhat underwhelming. In part, this is because the jokes were clichéd and unoriginal; in Muslim-only settings, individuals have been cracking the same jokes and making similar associations between 'Muslim' and 'terrorist' to that which was on view in the airport scene with lawyer-turned-imam Amaar Rashid. Watching Muslims quibbling over the management of a mosque or engaging in 'an annual cage match' to figure out the start of Ramadan has become commonplace, so much so that it lacked the oomph one might expect from a show made splashy because of its supposedly humourous element. Perhaps two of the edgier lines were on display when Amaar Rashid is detained by law enforcement officials. "If my story doesn't check out, you can deport me to Syria," he says, in cheeky reference to the Maher Arar debacle. The official's gruff response? "You don't get to choose which country we deport you to."

Humour is about exaggeration, but some aspects of the show have struck a discordant tone among Muslims, not just because only a single actor, Zaib Shaikh, is Muslim in real life and Sitara Hewitt, who plays Rayyan Hommoudi, co-hosts The Comedy Network's You Bet Your Ass decked out in skimpy attire. One cannot help but note, for example, that the imam leading the congregation in prayer incorrectly recites a verse from chapter 103 of the Qur'an. And some the non-Muslims on the show act in a decidedly un-Canadian manner. Note in particular the mean-spirited right-wing radio show host who baits the new imam in town, calling him Johnny Jihad and accusing him of terrorism to his face. Canadians nation-wide are noted for their remarkable friendliness; even those who know nothing about Islam or Muslims are welcoming of strangers, particularly on a personal level. And of course, resident critic Tarek Fatah had to get in a word or two. He questioned the stereotypical depiction of Muslims as "a group of people that prays and preaches" and "essentially a people whose lives revolve around a mosque".

Interestingly enough, there were voices on both sides complaining about the show before it was even aired. On the one hand, some non-Muslims complained of yet another scheme by Canada's national broadcaster to make Islam palatable to the general public. On the other hand, some Muslims privately expressed concern that the series might make light of their most deeply held beliefs and practices. Having survived the first episode, neither of these fears holds much credence, for the sitcom pokes fun at every character, Muslim or not. And yet it also serves a useful purpose, in that it portrays the interplay between the minority and majority well, giving each a bit of insight into where the other is coming from. To appreciate the humour, one must posses the ability to stand apart from one's deepest commitments, observing oneself with a degree of distance and objectivity as would someone from outside. On watching Little Mosque on the Prairie, a Muslim gains some appreciation for the genuine anxieties some members of the majority group share when it comes to Islam and Muslims, particularly given events around the globe as well as the sensationalized media attention afforded extremist elements within the Muslim community. A non-Muslim get a glimpse of what it's like to be members of a minority group that have only recently immigrated to a new country and are trying to live life and negotiate their identities - individually and collectively - as best they can given the circumstances.

Much of the hype can be attributed to the surprise non-Muslims have that it's possible to pull off a series like this one given the tensions among Muslim minorities and the wider societal contexts in various parts of the world. While it is true that too often Muslims are characterized as frowning bearded mullahs on television, this can only be attributed to the very serious subject matter they are forced to tackle on an almost daily basis. (The drubbing Keith Ellison took on CNN Headline News is just one example.) But Muslim comedy in North America is not a new phenomenon. The Allah Made Me Funny comedy tour with Azhar Usman, Preacher Moss and Azeem Muhammad contains even more explosive content than Little Mosque on the Prairie. Nevertheless, the Canadian Muslim community is much too mature to raise a fuss over a television show, and it's likely the sitcom will prove a conversation starter rather than the cause of offence. Moreover, while CBC deserves credit for airing the series, it isn't as controversial as it's been made out to be, and Canadian viewers - both Muslim and non-Muslim - can only hope that the next episode of Little Mosque on the Prairie is a tad bit edgier than the first.

Great article. I was throughly impressed by the objectiveness of the piece. Here's what I have to say about the show: I believe, for what its worth, there is some merit for anyone who is trying to expose Islam in a positive manner in North America. I think its about time that Muslims are seen as sophisticated and witty individuals instead of the stereotypical barbaric religious fundamentalists that many unfortunately perceive. So for that, kudos to Little Mosque on the Prairie. However, when will there come a time when Muslims don't have to rely on self-deprecating entertainment to establish themeselves in the Western mainstream? Afterall, the amount that an ethnicity or religion can poke fun of themselves has to cap off at some point. And then what? Do we quietly exit the Arts again, anticipating the next wave of giant slander towards Muslims where we then proceed to re-enter the limelight and recycle the same self-deprecation again so people feel more comfortable with us?

As much as I believe this show will bring solace and comfort to millions of Canadians (I don't think a show of this caliber would survive in the United)States) who may be curious as to the social and religious norms of Muslims, I have to start questioning how many more sitcoms and comedy tours will it take for us to realize that our goal should be to immerse ourselves within entertainment and not use religion as our pedastal to provide awareness of Islam. Assimilation in America requires acceptance through commonality. And assimilation for Muslims in America requires acceptance through commanility while preserving our faith. For those who desire to become an actor, a writer, a comedian or simply an artist, its time that we realize that we can't use our religious beliefs as tools to make ourselves more reputable. Its our intellect and creativity that can IA only take us to the next level.

Asalaamun Alaykum,

A few points about your commentary, Br. Imran:

1. "Afterall, the amount that an ethnicity or religion can poke fun of themselves has to cap off at some point." Really? Why?

2. I'm not sure how many Muslim sitcoms and comedy tours you're thinking about when you have to question how many of each it'll take for us to realise what our goals are. As far as I know, the number's one each so far.

3. Speaking of our goals, are we not supposed to use religion to provide awareness of Islam? And how about not using religious beliefs to make ourselves reputable? I'm not sure about anyone else, but I think I'd find a Muslim sitcom that wasn't about religion or religous beliefs to be a little dry.

Thanks for the comments, and wasalaam,

A

Wassalam,

I think your missing the point of what I'm trying to say. When I referred to Muslim sitcoms and comedy tours I was using them as examples, but not being limited to such facets. I'm sure they're not many sitcoms and comedy tours that are being showcased throughout America. And the ones that are out there, I'm sure, are funny. But there are a number of documentaries, articles and other pieces of intellectual art that constantly hone in on Islamic themes. Not surprisingly they're done by Muslim artists. All I'm saying is that it would be nice to see Muslims push more into contemporary non-religious themed issues, non self-deprecating comedy, etc. Maybe its too premature--but its not practical for Muslims to focus primarily on Muslim themed subjects all the time.

And its funny you made a comment that you would find a Muslim sitcom that wasn't about religion a little dry. Frankly, I think a Muslim sitcom about religion is dry. Just about all sitcoms on television, at least in the U.S. have little or nothing to do with religion. That's because most people don't find it to be funny. But that's what happens when you live in a secular country. I think the proper acceptance of Islam can be more accepted by society if we provide creativity without relying on a provoked identity. If a Muslim director makes a stellar movie on WWII, everyone will know that the director is Muslim. If a Muslim artist paints a beautiful portrait, people will know that a Muslim painted it. I think the positive image of a Muslim can be attained much easier through the use of non-religious work compared to religious-themed semantics. I'm not trying to undermine the creator of "Little Mosque on the Prairie." I'm sure its a clever show--nor am I trying to condescend ANY Muslim artist who conveys Islam in their own endevaor. But I think the benefits are limited from constantly using that religion as an instrument to build a stronger image of Islam.