Prior to the Arab ‘Spring’ the takeover of the Egyptian government by radical Islamists, potential employers turned down Heba Seraq-Eddin, she says, because of her full-face veil, the niqab, the black fabric that covers her whole face, except for the eyes. Then she came across an ad for a new TV channel called Maria, run exclusively by niqab-clad women. She was hired right away.
Washington Examiner The only visible female face in the Cairo-based studio of a new Islamic TV channel for women is that of a puppet. The human stars are all veiled from head to toe, with only their eyes showing.
Maria TV is run primarily by women. They operate cameras, present shows and interview female guests ranging from doctors to students of Islamic theology. But they cannot show their faces during the broadcasts, and no men are allowed on air during the female programming, not even for phone-ins. Shrouded in long flowing black robes and scarves known as niqabs, with black gloves to match — the women are distinguishable only by their voices and the slits for their eyes.
The channel, which was launched on Saturday to coincide with the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, is the brainchild of Ahmed Abdallah as part of a broader effort to expand his religious pan-Arab satellite station Ummah TV.
The shows range from beauty programs where presenters simply discuss make-up tricks without actually showing any faces to shows about medicine and marriage. The puppet is used in a satirical show that pokes fun at major news stories.
KIND OF LIKE THE MUSLIM VERSION OF ‘THE VIEW.’ THAT’S JOY BEHAR IN THE MIDDLE
That effort mirrors the cultural changes under way in Egypt since conservative Muslims rose to power after Hosni Mubarak’s secular regime was ousted during last year’s revolution. Radical Islamists had been heavily repressed for decades, with hundreds jailed as opposition figures.
Ummah TV was raided multiple times by Mubarak’s security forces and financial troubles forced it to shut down in 2008. Abu Islam himself was detained at least four times, the longest being 22 days.
The station relaunched last year while the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood and ultraconservative Salafis emerged as the most influential political force in post-Mubarak Egypt. The Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Morsi became Egypt’s first freely elected president, although the military, which assumed power in the transition, has tried to curb his powers along with the Islamist influence.
Conservative Islam and its most visible hallmark, the niqab, appear to be on the rise on Egypt’s cultural scene as well, and the launch of Maria TV is an attempt to cater to that growing segment of society. A decade ago, the niqab was rarely seen in Egypt and it remains a minority fashion. Still, it has become normal in Egypt to see women wearing billowing black robes that cloak the body’s shape teaching at universities, working in offices, strolling along the Nile River or riding on motorcycles behind their husbands.
The white-haired, white-bearded Abdallah called Maria TV a victory for women who wear the niqab “after years of discrimination and injustice.” Many of these women are outspoken in defending their beliefs despite criticism that they are oppressed and cloistered by patriarchal traditions.
Ironically, Maria TV is named after the Coptic Christian slave given to the Prophet Muhammad, whom he married and freed. “I want to give children the ability to see these women and say ‘I want to be like that’… to create a generation that wants this and wants to be like this,” Abu Islam said.
CNN Others are worried that the rise of political Islam in Egypt will radicalize the society. They argue that a TV network that features only women with covered faces is a “U-turn” on the path of the so-called Arab uprising.
Alaa Abdallah says she avidly supports freedom of expression, but wouldn’t grant her critics the same leeway she demands. “I stand by freedom of expression as long as it isn’t hostile to Islam,” she says, arguing that “secular and liberal” channels are “destructive” in the way they are promoting ideas that would reshape society.
Abu Islam Abdallah, Alaa’s father and the owner of Al-Omma, believes he’s restoring the balance. He describes as heretic the type of democratic system that allows women “to dress immodestly, work as dancers and even be members of Parliament.” That’s “pandemonium,” he says.
ugr, dementor TV
Michael Coren did a TV programme about this a few weeks ago, wearing a burqa
http://vladtepesblog.com/?p=50777
Shirl, I posted that here.
These assholes are enemies to free women everywhere.
Where are the feminists protesting?
Of course they celebrate – there is no freedom in Islam (democracy is a sinful Western ideology). There is no laughter or fun in Islam. It is about suppression, submission to Allah, and sacrifice through hardship and prayer (mix in pedophilia, rape, murder, honor killings, acid attacks). Aside from Christians and Jews, Muslim women pay the ultimate price. Islam will never change – it cannot. It will only become more violent as it spreads through the west. Liberals of course love it and hope for more dhimmitude. Muslims are forbidden to follow man-made laws and strive to live under the suppressive and barbaric Sharia Law.
Why are we importing these subhumans?? I mean really!!
Well said.
Stop importing. Ban cousin marriage.
Sure…….and they ALL look like Big T.V.Stars now don’t they.lol.
The young woman interviewed talked about how she wanted a job in the media, but wasn’t hired due to her clothing. How can she call it a job, when the report says that the program is drawing in about $3,300 a month, but the women on who work on the program AREN’T paid! It looks like even her own father is joining in with the station to exploit the women.
Good Lord, every time I see these , in a human form, garbage bags I am reminded of an old arab quote; death came visiting and while I was waiting, all I was left with was a shadow of a thousand cuts.
I almost always wonder how it is, they so indoctrinate these shattel to the point lost to everyone, and just what would you expect of a peoples living on the fears of a jin: an enity who exist solely upon suspisions of a diety of a lessor god, satan, the first deciever, and they folllow as if commanded.
It’s just my opinion, but I can never ever see these misguided fools ever amounting to much, “a life drapped behind a black (death robe in the western tradition)) robe is a life stolen ( self inflicted) from within” -me 2012.
Fracken idiots
Semper Fi.
In a short period the most civilized country in the ME became a ghost country. Islam took it centuries back. I believe, because Islam is against human nature, the MB will not survive long in power, especially if Obama is gone. Obama is the Devil who is causing all these mess in the ME and will spread to America if he win another term.
And Shrillary was under the impression that the “Arab Spring” was FOR democracy!!!
What a complete and utter MORON. Typical bed-wetting liberal.
Who will run Maria TV when the whole staff is down with rickets?
Muz version of the View! LOL Classic. And so true.
Actually, I favour for head bags Katie Couric, Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, and Janet Napolitano (double bag).
.. I favour head bags for…
Has anyone else had erratic cursor problems here?
“I stand by freedom of expression as long as it isn’t hostile to Islam”
That sums up Islamocensorship.
You can criticize any religion but Islam.
Islam and all jihadist murderers get a free ride.
No criticism of FGM, genocide, beating women, honor killings, ethnic cleansing.
The choice of the name ‘MARIA’ is a death threat to all Coptic Christians.
It is disgusting that Mohammed’s sex slave is being used as wink-wink nudge-nudge joke among jihadists.
The purpose of the name ‘MARIA’ is to intimidate.
BNI, now you know after watching these videos I am going to end up having a bad dream tonight. What a nightmare! lol
Mom5, it’s probably better to look at this site in the middle of the day. In the early morning, it causes nausea, and late at night, nightmares. LOL
“Women in parliament is pandemonium”
How many Mozman killer zombies believe that?
OT – VIDEO – The Muslim Jihadists fighting for democracy in Syria - Summary execution of an opponent – killing in the name of Allah :
Grim Reaper TV. lol
notice it’s a guy giving his views on what tv should be. Beauty advice? why i thought make-up wasn’t allowed
Isn’t it funny , They don’t like technology but they are open to use it for their own use.
Is that not being Hypocritical.
Having viewed this i find myself strangely aroused by the curve of her head, and those cute little fingers in those slinky black gloves- WOW. These wanton jezabels must be hidden at ONCE inside a large black CUBE to prevent their artful seductions from tempting me away from the REAL affections of my beloved GOAT.
Earth to MORONS- come in please- good, now bugger off.
Sorry BNI,another ps,
I watched maria the other night and I understand what they are saying?
jane said to martha, no that can’t be right martha said to jane that hilary was going to record a programme for samanfa or was that agatha and julie wood talk on camera with josie ,sorry ! josie would talk to julie about OH SOD IT , TRY AGAIN.
The woman in the black robe said to the woman in the black robe can you record a programme with the woman in the black robe , and the woman in the black robe will talk to the woman in the black robe on camera about INDIVIDUALITY?
Now do you get the BIG picture!
Ted, yes, engrossing television, indeed.
Judging by the shape of those niqabs I don’t think you would want to see any of those women uncovered. One thing I’ve notice is that where women have the right to chose it’s almost always the fat girls who choose to cover and the the thin attractive ones who don’t.