ABU DHABI // Muslims need to make films in Hollywood to challenge the negative stereotypes of Islam, a debate heard at MEIFF, a debate heard today at the Middle East International Film Festival.
A panel of nine film-industry specialists was chaired by Cynthia Schneider, a former US diplomat.
She claimed there was a "vast vacuum" of understanding and a predominance of "ignorance" that must be bridged from East to West.
The panellists called on the region to help fund Hollywood's handful of Muslim film-makers combat the stereotypes.
Kamran Pasha, a writer and producer who has worked on US television series such as Kings and Bionic Woman, said: "Only Muslims can change the portrayal of Muslims."
The Pakistani-born film-maker said: "Your money needs to go to Hollywood to portray the right images of Islam." He said Muslims should "not be afraid" to enter Hollywood, saying it was the only way of ensuring a fair portrayal of Islam.
Chip Johannessen, the consultant producer on the TV series 24, said he had seen "a sea change" in the writing of the show since he joined it in its second series. "We have Muslims and we have terrorists," he said. "But we don't have Muslim terrorists."
Anti-Muslim and anti-Arab negative stereotyping did not begin with September 11, but has been going on for centuries, the debate was told.
Mrs Schneider described a Gallup poll that asked Americans "what Islam thinks". A huge proportion had answered "I don't know" or "nothing".
Such ignorance of the Arab and Muslim world is a "vast vacuum" at the heart of negative preconceptions, she said.
"There is not just ignorance about Islam and Muslims, it's ignorance of anywhere else in the world. It's a reflection of our education system. We learn very little about the rest of the world."
She said these misconceptions were learnt in popular culture, which in turn affected the rest of the world. "We export our popular culture. We send out these negative stereotypes. The world sees these images that America creates. In the long term we have to change these preconceptions."
Kerem Bayrak, a producer on films including Super Size Me and Before Sunrise, said that Disney was one of the leading culprits of this media imperialism.
Nashwa al Ruwaini, the film festival's director, said it had provided an ideal platform to open up the debate and hoped that the panel discussion had played "a vital role in balancing portrayals of Arab and Muslim characters and themes on American film and television".
The debate, organised in conjunction with the US-based group Muslims on Screen and Television, was a joint initiative between the Washington research foundation Brookings Institution and a number of non-governmental organisations.
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Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
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Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
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Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
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Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
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Sector: Entertainment
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO
Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke
Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke
Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO
Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision
Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision
Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO
Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)
Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)
Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision
Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke
Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO
Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.