“Who Speaks for Muslims?” Focuses on Enhancing the Public Voice of American Muslims

July 8, 2005

Source: Al Jazeera

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D43F681C-1245-4E38-B890-B80D2C3AA562.htm

On July 8, 2005 Al Jazeera reported, "The American Muslim community, placed under intense scrutiny following the 11 September 2001 attacks, struggles to pursue a more expansive role in the news media, the entertainment industry and the political arena. Not having sufficient representation in these areas has contributed to a steady increase in anti-Muslim stereotypes and social bigotry, many Muslim activists say. Such problems were the central theme of Who Speaks for Muslims, a recent conference in Atlanta, Georgia, to examine ways to enhance the public voice of America's five to seven million Muslims. The event brought together Muslim television and radio producers, print journalists, screenwriters and political figures to hold workshops and lectures on subjects ranging from film production to media influence."