Unwelcome. The Muslims Next Door – Leveraging Social Media as an Educational Tool

This journey started with our (Part 1) pre-screening invitation, then a (Part 2) short review. I tweeted alongside @Soledad_OBrien and the producer of the documentary @profsamuels_nyu from 8pm ET to about 10:30 pm. Then, I tweeted throughout the 11pm ET showing until 12:30am telling my tweeters I need sleep. Through the twitterfest, I was updating my Facebook pages because some are not on twitter and frequently updating my 2 blogposts.

In the extremely interesting, emotional, often-humorous yet stomach-churning pre-screening discussion with Soledad O’Brien, when I finally had the opportunity to voice my feedback I shared the following:

• I commend CNN and Soledad O’Brien for researching, reporting, and covering this story.
• I shared that I applaud Soledad for having such poignant rebuttal questions and comments, that she amazingly asked and stressed with a straight face. I knew I wouldn’t be able too.
• Soledad shared to earlier reporters, she did her job as a journalist reporting the news, and once Sunday comes it’ll be shared for the real discussion to begin.
• So, I followed-up by stating this piece is a wonderful step forward in exposing the obvious ignorance, now what is CNN doing with In America series and how can We, all the digital writers, present there that morning can work together to help educate.
• I also commended them for taking this lead, which would only be expected from CNN and that Soledad’s effort to host this unique pre-screening for us shows their commitment to further the much needed education.
  

CNN’s response

• Geraldin Moriba, Executive Producer of In America unit stood up and we shared the discussions about the educator’s guide that was not yet ready (I was eagerly checking the hours preceding), the hopes of the blog, articles are Sharia law and anticipation for follow-up documentaries like Black and Latinas in America.
• Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door – Educator and Parent Guide which went live on Friday. Designed for high school and college, there’s nothing there that my 7, 9 and 10 years didn’t discuss.
• In America blog will continue to post articles, op-eds, videos to further educate about Islam and Muslims.
• In America can only produce 5- 7 documentaries per year, so it’s all about funding, supply and demand. We, need to create the demand. So, let’s use social media to make this viral!

Other interesting facts shared:

• Despite the overwhelming pre-screening comments and excessive tweets regarding the irony of Kevin Fisher being a black in the South spear-heading the rallies and lawsuit, Soledad shared that there was never a feeling like he was resentful to the civil rights movement, so they never discussed race.
• Interestingly though, it was shared that Kevin Fisher’s ex-wife is a Muslim. Which when asked if this was a rumor on twitter last night, having just shared this will my family (forgetting about this interesting fact) my family questioned, “Did she embrace Islam and that’s why they divorced?” “Was she always Muslim, and their marriage wasn’t a good one at the beginning?” “Was he a Muslim” (What!?)…”but, wait…his son was in church with him…is he Christian or Muslim?”
• When Soledad shared that she’s going to follow-up on this story in report in the fall, here’s two major issues that can be explored in more detail–motive. Any news regarding arson attack?

The difference with other In America documentaries

• “Without being biased”, Soledad started her Q&A session, “but, this (documentary) is excellent!”
• When discussing with Producer Jason Samuels prior to the screening why and how he happened to fall upon this story, he shared it’s evolution and how the story unraveled like a “dream come true”. It was all by chance. First, they were covering the Ground Zero story, then they heard about Murfreesboro and with the Southern hospitality of all interviewers welcoming Soledad and the staff into their homes and lives, it was an ideal situation. Everyone was passionate on all sides.
  

  Left to Right. Hajer Naili (ILLUME), Holly Pavlika (Big Fuel), Jason Samuels (Producer "Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door"), Ponn Sabra (American Muslim Mom)

• Soledad shared that she was “really pushing for 2-hours”.
  
• CNN continuously acknowledged that they were trying to do something different with this show by picking one story and capturing the lives of a few characters, rather than have multiple stories with little less captivating messages.

Follow Soledad O’Brien on Facebook

New articles and videos from In America blog was fed into her Facebook fan page, so become a fan now.

For example, The Gayle King Show interviewed Soledad O’Brien and Congressman Keith Ellison joined the conversation. Gayle King questions Congressman, How do we bridge from being afraid, uninformed? He shares that this show (the documentary) is one clear opportunity. Congressman continues to share that one positive side effect of Congressional Hearing process led by Representative King aka “Muslim Hearings” and that Muslim American “get their chance to tell their stories”.

Soledad continues to share that it’s more about “demystifying” the uniformed. From the Japanese, Irish, Blacks–decades pass an then there’s a need to pick on somebody else.

American Muslim Mom’s Role

As Congressman Ellision shared with Gayle King, after Rep. King’s Muslim Hearing we’ve been fortunate to receive only positive exposure, alhumdulilah (Praise be to God):

Muslim Hearings Caused American Muslim Mom to Experience Its Highest Trafficked Day Ever

Despite Representative Peter King’s hearings, I’ve been approached by two international brands to conduct Muslim-specific outreach. The first to share my Muslim-specific views and resources to their parent site, and the second to help educate designers about our Eid celebrations because there is a customers demand to create Eid greeting cards. With these unique opportunities, I haven’t had time to fear backlash from these hearings. I’m actually encouraged to see individuals and brands seeking to learn more about an American Muslim’s lifestyle, and feel blessed that they are finding AmericanMuslimMom.com as a resource”, shared Sabra.

American Interest in Muslims Rises After Muslim Hearings According to American Muslim Mom

Saffron Road Food is the 1st company in America to offer Certified All-Natural, Halal, Gluten-free, Indian frozen entrees. The company shared their testimonial:

“The American Muslim Mom blog reaches a very unique audience that’s important for our brand to engage with online. Our recent contest and giveaway garnered a substantial number of entries and spread viral through the blogosphere. We were very pleased with the outcome and look forward to partnering with American Muslim Blog again and again.”

The attention is an encouraging step in efforts to unify Muslims and non-Muslims.”Americans and businesses are reaching out to Muslims through me and the American Muslim Mom brand. I feel blessed to be a part of an effort to unify Muslims and non-Muslims,” said Sabra.

Sabra is encouraged to see that individuals and businesses are searching for their own positive Muslim American Leaders by searching online for Muslims they can relate to. Sabra serves as an expert in this trend, and is available for interviews.

We will host different reviews, opinions and commentaries every day leading to Saturday’s show.

Unwelcome – The Muslims Next Door on youtube

FYI, I only made it my “favorite”, I respect that the DVD will not be sold due to local news affiliates sharing rights to CNN for this documentary, and I will be tweeting during further scheduled showings (full listing available here) , but for those without cable, access to DVR, etc. the full documentary available here:  http://www.youtube.com/americanmuslimmom#p/f/0/gRlqz3e9OrA

Follow the rest of “Unwelcome. The Muslims Next Door” series here

Part 1. The pre-screening anticipation.

Part 2. “Unwelcome. The Muslim Next Door” review.

Part 3. The pre-screening follow-up: Leveraging Social Media as an Educational Tool.

Part 4. Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door, the dignified struggle of Murfreesboro’s Muslims.

Part 5. Can social media make the world a more tolerant place?

Part 6. A Muslim and Non-Muslim Mom’s View.

Part 7. A single white Canadian mom new to Islam shares her view of “Unwelcome”

Part 8. Unwelcome Response from an Muslim African American Husband – Descendant of Slaves

Part 9. Win CNN’s “Unwelcome. The Muslim Next Door” Press Copy DVD – Not for sale

Part 10. Help Build the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro – Virtual Fundraiser

Watch it with us Live, April 2, 2011 8pm ET & tweet #musliminamerica

So, how will you help leverage social media to educate others about the beauty of Islam and the normalcy of life as a Muslim living in America? Please share your comments openly, and of course–Like, RT, stumble, etc. this post and others. Thanks!

Similar Posts:

• Unwelcome. The Muslims Next Door on youtube
• Can social media make the world a more tolerant place?
• Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door, the dignified struggle of Murfreesboro’s Muslims.
• Unwelcome Response from an Muslim African American Husband – Descendant of Slaves
• Help Build the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro – Featured in CNN’s “Unwelcome. The Muslims Next Door”

Tags: cnn, education, in america cnn, islamic center murfreesboro, james samuels, kevin fisher, murfreesboro, muslim neighbor, social media, soledad obrien, tn, unwelcome

Category: Entertainment