Everybody Loves Ramadan

The frenzy around Little Mosque on the Prairie (of which I have indulged) has been fascinating to watch. Even before the first episode made it to air it faced criticism for poking too much fun at Muslims, for not poking enough fun at Muslims, for not being edgy and for trying to push social mores on a gullible public. Talk about not pleasing all the people all the time.

For those who haven’t heard about this tempest in a sitcom, the show is about a group of Muslims in small-town Saskatchewan and the reaction of the locals when they start up a mosque with a new imam from Toronto. Hilarity ensues.

Canadian Press reports that Tarek Fatah, founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress, had "reservations about the depiction of Muslims as essentially a people whose lives revolve around a mosque. This is patently untrue," he said, adding that he fears the show will only serve to "pigeonhole Muslims as not more than a group that prays and preaches."

Meanwhile the Globe and Mail’s Margaret Wente, who says Prairie “painfully correct,” calls it part of the CBC’s mandate to instruct and uplift, complaining that no sacred cows get gored. She then goes on to detail the hyper-realistic depiction of Muslims in Canada that she’d like to watch – which read remarkably like a newscast.

What I find amazing is that there is so much weight on Little Mosque’s shoulders – and all over a sitcom. "To me, this is not a political show, this is not about the Iraq war, it's not about 9/11," say the show's creator, Zarqa Nawaz. "First and foremost, it's entertainment.” And that’s where Little Mosque succeeds. Sure, it’s not breaking any new ground – the fish-out-of-water is a comedy standard – and some of the characters are caricatures, but it was the premiere of a sitcom and should almost be expected. It had some good laughs and has some time to grow and I hope it makes it. Maybe next time there is a comedy about Muslims the only thing people will ask is: is it funny?

Update: I knew somebody was bound to post the first episode on YouTube and here it is, in four parts, for anyone who wants to check it out. Seems that more than two million Canadians did just that, making it the highest rated show of the night.

15 comments:

  1. you pulled some good quotes and thoughts on this was...

    ahh, people are so reactionary.

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  2. I actually missed the first show. Did you manage to see it and if yes, what did you think?

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  3. I did see - just not much of a reviewer. I enjoyed it and it's a gentle comedy and not breaking any new ground, but I don't think it was trying to. There could be a cross-over show with Corner Gas and neither cast would look out of place, they are that similar. Gentle ribbing with Toronto being the biggest whipping boy - nothing unites Canada like hating Toronto.

    Once the novelty wears off it will have to survive as a sitcom, which it will with a trajectory aimed straight down the middle of the road.

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  4. I wish I could check this out. I haven't heard anything about this show outside of your blog.

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  5. You're in luck Marilyn, I just looked on YouTube and found the episode. Take a look before it gets pulled down.

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  6. The show was pretty funny. Thank you, Jeremy for bringing this to our attention.

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  7. Great recommendation! Found you via Dr Blogstein and linked ya. You have an awesome site here!

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  8. Hey it's Dr. Blogstein's fault we're all coming invading LOL

    Excellent show and the music is incredible, shame we won't get to watch it here in Brussels, Belgium

    Thanks Jeremy

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  9. Thanks for the update. I've earmarked it for viewing over the weekend!

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  10. I'm happy to meet any patients of Dr. B and fascinated with the worldwide attention Little Mosque is getting. Speaking of which, a big hello to all of you surfing in from the Guardian. Welcome - and stick around for awhile if you like.

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  11. Jeremy...good evening...I have arrived from the waiting room of Dr. Blogstein.

    Thanks for putting this gem up.

    Stop by THE COUCH sometime...We'll be telling our guests about your site.

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  12. Hey Jeremy! I was following the girls from Dr. B's a few days ago and maybe I left my comment for you over there?!? I guess I should really slow down and watch what I'm doing. But I did watch the Mosqued Praire, maybe that rings a bell? I found it amusing and interesting both and I was/am curious as to what the critics from both sides had to say. I guess one answer will come if there is another installment. Thanks Jeremy, and thanks for noticing I blogrolled over here!

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  13. Hey Lex, I did notice - just slow on the reply here. At worst critics have said the show isn't as funny as it could be and any controversy appears to have dissapated. There have been two episodes so far with another airing this week and rumour has it there will be an order for more soon.

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  14. Here's a site where readers and viewers are sharing their experiences from their local communities:

    http://littlemosqueontheprairie.wordpress.com

    The idea is to build a community from around the Globe where readers can share their stories in relation to the episode's content.

    Go ahead and share your Little Experiences ...

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  15. Interesting site and interesting to see what this show is spawning. Will a sitcom be what starts a dialogue between cultures?

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