Laila Al Arian, Al Jazeera English
Women In Islam, Inc. recently hosted “Under-Represented: Muslim Women and Media,” an event featuring Laila Al-Arian, a writer and producer for Al Jazeera English. The event was part of the leadership series organized by CAIR-NY as part of its annual banquet.
Laila Al Arian began by sharing a sample of coverage by Al Jazeera English focused on the Egyptian revolution, noting how its non-mainstream coverage of the events powerfully shaped U.S. national networks portrayals of the events. Similarly, Muslim women who are currently not in the media mainstream must continue to make inroads into the journalistic world, where they will have opportunities to shape opinions of their colleagues and the public.
Al Arian noted that Muslimah Media Watch describes three common stereotypic representations of Muslim women as exotic, oppressed, or as terrorists. The focus in news has been largely on women’s appearance rather than their actions. In addition, where media would usually distinguish ethnicities within religions, such as Mexican versus French Catholics, they are less likely to do so when it comes to Muslim women, who come from a variety of cultural backgrounds. The focus has been on women’s appearance rather than action, so that even if Muslim women are visible, they are voiceless. Even when Muslim women in hijab become reporters, they are seen women in hijab, rather than reporters. Finally, Muslim women themselves are likely to defer to men to speak on their behalf.
Al Arian advised Muslim women to be courageous. “Portrayals of Muslim women have the potential to impact discrimination and rights of the community,” she said. ”Muslim women have a critical role to play to help humanize the Muslim community.” In addition, she encouraged women to build relationships with journalists, and when there is a trustworthy journalist, to provide access to families so that the every day life of Muslim communities can become part of the media narrative.
Among the challenges she faces is the perception that she is biased due to her headscarf and that she cannot do her job correctly or put aside her biases. But Laila Al Arian believes that all journalists, and all people, have biases, and her job is to be able to be aware of her biases and report on an issue fairly.
“Don’t be intimidated,” she said. “Our faith compels us to be strong and brave.” She encouraged women to join minority journalists’ organizations. “It is vital to have Muslim women covering community issues. What do you have to lose by being courageous and standing your ground?” she asked. When asked what motivated her to go into this profession, she noted that “people think that I launched into media due to my father’s case [referring to Sami Al-Arian], but I have wanted to do this work since I was a child.”
