Why American networks won’t carry Al-Jazeera
BY LORRAINE ALI & MARISA GUTHRIE THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Anas Canon - bringing positive messages & music to the masses BY MARIAM SOBH HIJABTRENDZ Anas Canon, 37, is founder and producer of Remarkable Current, a record label that brings positive messages to the masses through music. He also runs The Hip Hop Ambassadors program.
“
If God gave you skill set, it’s your duty to share it with the world -- Anas Canon
Canon said he grew up around music, and with his own father a professional musician, he always had the passion for it.
After five weeks of reporting on revolts around the Arab world, Al-Jazeera finds itself at the center of a new uprising — and this time, it’s fueled by American interest. Once maligned (“a mouthpiece of al Qaeda” and “inexcusably biased,” former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said), the Qatar-based news channel is enjoying positive press and more demand from inside the U.S. than at any other point in its rocky history. It prides itself on layered, in-depth
Perry’s declaration was for prayer from Friday, April 22 - Sunday, April 24 - the three-day Easter weekend. “Throughout our history, both as a state and as individuals, Texans have been strengthened, assured and lifted up through prayer,” Perry said. “It is fitting that Texans should join together in prayer to humbly seek an end to this ongoing drought and these devastating wildfires, and for the safety of the brave firefighters and emergency management officials who have worked tirelessly to
AL-JAZEERA continues on page 8 >>
These days you can find Canon working on a variety of projects, but for Al-Jazeera broadcast center in Doha, Qatar.
CAIR-Texas calls on mosques to pray for rain Joining Gov. Rick Perry’s declaration for a three-day period of “Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas,” the Texas chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-TX) had called on mosques across the state to offer prayers for rain.
When Al-Jazeera English (AJE) launched in 2006, few really expected this experiment out of the Gulf to work — after all, it was born in a region where media is largely a tool of the government, so what could it possibly know about competing against other global networknews giants? It kicked off by hiring veteran journalists from the West,
Born and raised in the Bay Area in California, he actually got his start through dancing and that eventually paved the way for him to get into the music industry. “I was kind of a heavy breaker back then and kept dancing for a long time. In the mid ‘90s I switched over and got into music.”
CANON continues on page 4 >>
BY MARIUM F. MOHIUDDIN
coverage of global events stretching from the favelas of Brazil to the rubble of Haiti, and it has offered some of the most comprehensive, round-the-clock coverage of the disastrous earthquake and tsunami in Japan thanks to reporting teams stationed in the region before the disaster struck.
protect lives and property around the state.” CAIR-TX urged state mosques to offer special Islamic prayers, called Salatul Istisqa. This prayer was traditionally offered by the Prophet Muhammad during times of drought. “Texans of all faiths should offer whatever spiritual assistance they can in the effort to mitigate the negative impact of this drought on our state,” said CAIR-Texas Executive Director Mustafa Carroll. In 2007, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue
convened a prayer service at the state Capitol when his state was suffering its own drought. The state currently is affected by the worst drought since the 1930s, which DROUGHT continues on page 9 >>
more inside
` Arab rappers band together to create song of solidartiy for the Middle East and North Africa .............................................................. ` Changing jobs is a great time to make your 401K halal. ............................................................. ` Talk about eating disorders with your teenagers ............................................................. ` Meet, Kareem Salama, a Muslim singer who is taking on the country music scene .............................................................. ` Mattress Firm refuses to sell to woman wearning niqab .............................................................. ` Plano ISD needs leaders who will create strong vision for our children ..............................................................