A Negative "Vision" in Canada

Canadian Muslims have taken issue with VisionTV's broadcasting of the documentary "Mohammed".

The series started January 5 2004 and aired every Monday for 60 minutes. Vision TV describes it thus:

"All over the world, political leaders and ordinary people alike are struggling toward a deeper understanding of the Islamic faith. This timely five-part series offers a historical look at its genesis, examining the life and teachings of the prophet Mohammed and the place of Islam in the culture of the Middle East."

According to some Canadians, the "deeper understanding" that has been conveyed through this documentary has been very negative. Naveed Majid of New Brunswick found the series to depict the Prophet, peace be upon him, in a very terroristic light as a man who used human "sacrifices" to instill fear in the common folk to force adherence to his religion. He says the documentary portrays him as a "vain, manipulative, self-indulgent, conniving, paranoid man who used divine revelation and fear of damnation as a pretext to fulfill his own personal desires." He related one episode as that of historical friction between early Muslims and Jews, detailing confrontations that depicted the Jews as victims.

VisionTV responded to Brother Naveed's complaint to offer their regrets that some aspects of the program were not in keeping with his understanding of Islam.

Hmpfh. That's diplomatese for saying "You don't see it that way but we do."

According to Naveed the documentary was co-produced by VisionTV and French producer Michel Ouellette who held much of the control over the content, focus and the "authorities" that were interviewed. The "expertise" offered on Islamic history and ahadeeth was conveyed by Muslims with questionable practices of their own - women in short skirts and no hijab, cigarette smoking men with minimal if any Islamic identity in appearance.

Brother Naveed pressed the issue with Vision TV and wrote again:

Dear Vision TV Audience Relations Programming Department:

My understanding of Islam is not the issue.

Nor do I have any way of verifying that most or your viewers responded positively to your broadcast series! In any case, it also is not the issue.

What is at issue is your depiction of the prophet in a very negative light, from a very negative perspective, by people who are questionable "authorities" on the prophet and his life. Once again I reiterate, the documentary portrays the prophet as a vain, manipulative, self-indulgent, conniving, paranoid man who used divine revelation and fear of damnation as a pretext to fulfill his own personal desires. This is not about my understanding of Islam!!!

You are not helping to promote understanding about Islam by creating a documentary that has a bent like this one! There is a clear bias in this documentary.

I have known your network to be very fair with all religions. However, this documentary is far from fair. It is downright nasty in its attempt to portray Muslims as inherently violent, unstable and self-immersed people, using the Prophet Mohammed as our example.

Naveed Majid

Vision TV responded to apologize that "efforts to achieve such a balance in this instance did not meet the standard expected by many of our viewers." They stated that the program would not be run again after the current license expires. Brother Naveed is awaiting a response as to what period of time the "current license" covers.

What can you do?
Considering the response VisionTV conceded it would be most beneficial to thank the producers for the decision to discontinue the documentary and let them know that you uphold balanced and fair treatment of ideas and perspectives that promote awareness and understanding between different cultures and religions. Express your hope that they will do what they can to convey a more accurate representation of Islam in the programs they broadcast in the future.

Send your email to VisionTV's Audience Relations department at audience@visiontv.ca

Have you seen this documentary? HAve you seen other media protrayals of Islam and Muslims that you found offensive or delightfully positive? If so we would be interested in hearing your comments. Please send them to editor@whymuhammad.org for future inclusion in action alerts and information. Also send any information you may have about the progress of Vision TV in rectifying their stance on programs that reflect the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in a negative light.

May Allah reward Brother Naveed for his advocacy of the noble character of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and his defense of his honorable name.