Little Mosque on the Prairie

Rissask · 12-12-2006

Little Mosque on the Prairie

Is the name of a new half hour sitcom...shot mainly in Regina ('the city that ryhmes with fun'

; it's the capital of my province, Saskatchewan).

The creator is Muslim herself.

Quote:

....the CBC's newest half-hour comedy, Little Mosque on the Prairie. The first eight episodes, originally slated for the fall of 2007, were rushed into production and will now debut on Jan. 9 at 8:30 p.m. The show, which is shot mainly in Regina, is set in the fictitious Prairie town of Mercy (pop. 10,000) and focuses on a group of Muslims trying to assimilate into a small Canadian community. "We try to find the hilarity in everyday scenarios," says Zarqa Nawaz, the show's creator. "Muslim women cover their hair because they're worried men will be attracted to it. But what if the guy is gay and isn't attracted to it? Does that count?"

Some of the other topics include how Muslims in Canada deal with wearing face veils and with Halloween. Nawaz is a big fan of Everybody Loves Raymond and her show's humour -- including cheesy one-liners like "It's a good hijab if you can get it" -- is similar family-friendly fare. "We don't want to be political," says Nawaz, 39. "We just want to be funny." Of course, making a show about Muslims post 9/11 is inherently political -- even if it's on the CBC, and not, say, HBO.

As a mosque-going Muslim, Nawaz can afford to take greater comedic liberties with the material than a non-Muslim. And though she draws from personal experiences ("People back home," she laughs, "are more careful around me now"), she remains very sensitive to honouring the faith. "I know what I'd be offended by," she says. "This is an equal opportunity show. Both Muslims and non-Muslims will watch and ask, 'are they making fun of me?' I don't think either group can claim we're just picking on them."
Still, she anticipates some backlash. "A segment of the Muslim community will have wanted every Muslim to be a very good Muslim, for there to be no conflict and for everyone to follow Islam to the rule," says Nawaz. "But you can't make comedy without conflict."

I am not sure we are ready for this quite yet

...but I am looking forward to watching it. I think it will be a HUGE step in the right direction if there is no backlash or outrage from the Muslim community about this show. Show us you can laugh at yourselves!

There are a couple more articles posted on this page, scroll down.

Jazzy Cat · 12-12-2006

I saw an ad for this in the Vancouver Sun this morning. It just said "Little Mosque on the Prairie" and gave a website. Didn't say it was a tv show! Looking forward to seeing it.

Icon oclast · 12-12-2006

We are suing as they are taking Little House on The Prairie which is set in Minnesota and moving it to Canada. It's Fatwa time baby.

There will be head choppings, coffin tippings and general mayhem until this is resolved, God willing.

Rissask · 12-12-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icon oclast

We are suing as they are taking Little House on The Prairie which is set in Minnesota and moving it to Canada. It's Fatwa time baby.

There will be head choppings, coffin tippings and general mayhem until this is resolved, God willing.

It was in Wisconsin too, don't forget!

Loved that series when I was a kid.

I am really curious to hear if this results in any controversy. Maybe Canadian Muslims are more laid back.

StewartG · 01-07-2007

Could any of my Canadian RFFs record this show and ship it to me or transfer in some sort of (legal) digital format? I would *really* like to see at least an episode or two of this show! I just saw some clips and it looks GREAT!!!

Based on what I saw, I hope they air it in the U.S. I think it would help some of my fellow Americans get past the irrational xenophobia from which they currently suffer. Going back many centuries (think "court jester"), sometimes humor is the best way to get people to recognize their own irrational fears and evolve beyond them.

Have y'all seen the clip with the star standing on line at the airport check in counter talking on the phone about his plans to move to the middle of nowhere to run a mosque? VERY funny!

Jacko · 01-07-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icon oclast

We are suing as they are taking Little House on The Prairie which is set in Minnesota and moving it to Canada. It's Fatwa time baby.

There will be head choppings, coffin tippings and general mayhem until this is resolved, God willing.

popeye · 01-07-2007

Little Mosque on the Prairie

Saw a blip this morn on CNN - it does look pretty funny - no doubt someone will find a way to get "all bent out of shape" about it. I sure wish it was broadcast here (USA).

MWC · 01-07-2007

man, my NYTimes was way ahead of this curve! It was reporting about this show about a month ago. From what I read, I agree with Riss that it would be a huge step in the right direction in terms of "humanizing" muslims in North America. Humor is such a poweful tool.

I'm with Stewart. Can we arrange some sort of tape/dvd shipment to the US? I would love to see it!

wired529 · 01-07-2007

I'm not positive but you might be able to stream it from the CBC website once it airs.

Rissask · 01-08-2007

Stewart- I PMed you.

I am sure there will be DVDs of the first season (as of now only 8 episodes have been ordered) once it is done, or like wired said, you may be able to download it sooner.

Quote:

Based on what I saw, I hope they air it in the U.S. I think it would help some of my fellow Americans get past the irrational xenophobia from which they currently suffer. Going back many centuries (think "court jester"), sometimes humor is the best way to get people to recognize their own irrational fears and evolve beyond them.

I agree with you...but check out this page...

Man- lots of ignorant people out there huh.

ELECTRA · 01-08-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by popeye

Little Mosque on the Prairie

Saw a blip this morn on CNN - it does look pretty funny - no doubt someone will find a way to get "all bent out of shape" about it. I sure wish it was broadcast here (USA).

I will spare your braincells.....You are not missing anything I assure you. It is a low budget production typical of CBC.

.

Mikefrost · 01-08-2007

Electra, you are the most negative and the biggest downer on this site and I'm sure Canada.

You must not have a happy life.

Rissask · 01-08-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikefrost

Electra, you are the most negative and the biggest downer on this site and I'm sure Canada.

You must not have a happy life.

Save your breath, Mike- I have tried that tack before....he is happiest when slamming everything Canadian...ignoring it works best!

ELECTRA · 01-08-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikefrost

Electra, you are the most negative and the biggest downer on this site and I'm sure Canada.

You must not have a happy life.

Thanks, Ok now where were we.....

Mikefrost · 01-08-2007

It just baffles me that this guy hasn't offed himself long ago.

What a miserable existence it must be!

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12-12-2006	#2 (permalink)
Jazzy Cat way into it Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 120	I saw an ad for this in the Vancouver Sun this morning. It just said "Little Mosque on the Prairie" and gave a website. Didn't say it was a tv show! Looking forward to seeing it.

12-12-2006	#3 (permalink)
Icon oclast reposado Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,024	We are suing as they are taking Little House on The Prairie which is set in Minnesota and moving it to Canada. It's Fatwa time baby. There will be head choppings, coffin tippings and general mayhem until this is resolved, God willing.

01-07-2007	#5 (permalink)
StewartG commie pinko Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Kremlin (when not at my dacha in Houston) Posts: 12,940	Could any of my Canadian RFFs record this show and ship it to me or transfer in some sort of (legal) digital format? I would really like to see at least an episode or two of this show! I just saw some clips and it looks GREAT!!! Based on what I saw, I hope they air it in the U.S. I think it would help some of my fellow Americans get past the irrational xenophobia from which they currently suffer. Going back many centuries (think "court jester"), sometimes humor is the best way to get people to recognize their own irrational fears and evolve beyond them. Have y'all seen the clip with the star standing on line at the airport check in counter talking on the phone about his plans to move to the middle of nowhere to run a mosque? VERY funny!

01-07-2007	#7 (permalink)
popeye life=playa Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 785	Little Mosque on the Prairie Saw a blip this morn on CNN - it does look pretty funny - no doubt someone will find a way to get "all bent out of shape" about it. I sure wish it was broadcast here (USA).

01-07-2007	#8 (permalink)
MWC añejo Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,842	man, my NYTimes was way ahead of this curve! It was reporting about this show about a month ago. From what I read, I agree with Riss that it would be a huge step in the right direction in terms of "humanizing" muslims in North America. Humor is such a poweful tool. I'm with Stewart. Can we arrange some sort of tape/dvd shipment to the US? I would love to see it!

01-07-2007	#9 (permalink)
wired529 beachaholic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: saskatchewan Posts: 312	I'm not positive but you might be able to stream it from the CBC website once it airs.

01-08-2007	#12 (permalink)
Mikefrost way into it Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saskatoon, SK Canada Posts: 232	Electra, you are the most negative and the biggest downer on this site and I'm sure Canada. You must not have a happy life.

01-08-2007	#15 (permalink)
Mikefrost way into it Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saskatoon, SK Canada Posts: 232	It just baffles me that this guy hasn't offed himself long ago. What a miserable existence it must be!

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