SYDNEY MUSLIMS ESTABLISH $1 MILLION TV STUDIO TO COUNTER ANTI-ISLAMIC MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Sydney, 27 Jumadil Awwal 1436/18 March 2015 (MINA) – Members of the Muslim community in Sydney, Australia, have established a $1 million television studio in order to improve the image of Islam, which is being damaged by the negative approach of mainstream media, Media sources reported.
The One Path network films and edits YouTube videos and conducts interviews of imams and sheikhs and reports current affair news. The studio also aims to spread the message of Islam among Muslims and non-Muslims.
It was reportedly funded by community donations, and is staffed by a team of over 20 volunteers, IINA quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.
Organizers say it was set up to provide “authentic Islamic knowledge using a professional contemporary approach”.
“This is a time where there is a lot of pressure on the Muslim community,” Malaz Majjani, who is the head of the network, told ABC News.
The aim of the network is to correct the wrong depiction of Islam by the mainstream media, which is causing a rift between Muslims and the rest of the Australian community.
“Our approach was to make sure that it’s clear that this act is not an Islamic act,” said Majjani, while discussing the Sydney Siege.
The station’s website reads: “The media is an essential part of everyday life and a very powerful tool influencing values and ideas. The world is constantly changing and we are connected more than ever. There are great opportunities in using media to showcase the religion of Islam.”
“As we embark on this large scale project, we understand that it will be a long and complex journey, but a necessary one. In order to make this project effective and successful we will be utilizing specialized skill sets from within the community and abroad.”
Ranges of Muslim leaders have approved and endorsed the project, including the Grand Mufti of Australia Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed and has seen support from both moderate and conservative Muslim leaders.(T/R05/P3)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
