A revealing look at U.S. Muslims[All roads leads to Rome .......!!!!!!!!! ] 
Meet the 'All-American Muslim' Families & Watch Our Exclusive Preview (VIDEO)by Maggie Furlong, posted Nov 11th 2011 12:30PM  What's the image you have in your head when you hear the term "All-American"? Does it look anything like the Jaafars or the Amens? If not, TLC's new series 'All-American Muslim' might change your point of view. The show (premieres Sun., Nov. 13, 10PM ET) looks at the lives of five Muslim American families from the Dearborn, Michigan area, home to one of the most active Muslim communities in the country and the largest mosque in North America. I sat down with members of two of those families -- parents of four Mike and Angie Jaafar, and Suehaila and Shadia Amen, sisters who are only a year apart in age but could not be more different, Suehaila, 32, is single and still lives at home, while her pierced and tattooed sister, Shadia, who has a son, Adam, from a previous marriage, is planning her second wedding -- to an Irish-Catholic guy who's converting to Islam. We talked about how the show seeks to clear up misconceptions about Islam, and why you won't catch them indulging in any fist-pumping 'Jersey Shore' antics -- "No, but you'll see a lot of hookah smoking," Suehaila teased. Though it's not as if the show has nothing in common with other reality TV fare. "It's just a look at another American home -- we just happen to be Muslim," says Shadia. Keep reading for more insight into the show, and watch our exclusive sneak peek. Then tell us: Will you watch? Are you all ready to have your lives exposed on national television? Shadia: We are so ready. We've been ready for so long to show the world that we're just like everybody else. Suehaila: This is our opportunity to open the minds and hearts of people across the United States, and hopefully across the world, to realize that we are human beings. We may embrace a different faith, and we may have a different culture than what people may consider the norm, but we are who we are. We're proud to have these opportunities to be who we are and live in the United States of America. How did you all get involved with the show? And, having young kids, were you hesitant at all? You seem like a very average couple -- and I mean that as a compliment. Mike: This has all been kind of a reality check, to be honest. Angie: We were approached by a good friend of ours and a community member, Michael Solomon, who's also a producer. This was his idea. Mike: We had a few reservations, but we had a very frank discussion with TLC to discuss our concerns. We felt very comfortable being on the network because we felt that they were being very forthcoming and that the message of the show was the right message.  And you two seem quite normal yourselves -- more normal than most reality TV people. You're just like us! Shadia: Yes! We have tattoos, we wear fashionable clothes, we have kids ... Suehaila: We argue about the most trivial things in life. We have our issues, we have our debates, we cuss one another out ... Shadia: [Laughs] Well that doesn't happen often, because of the way we were raised. We just can't wait for everybody to see that. TLC is known for showing very honest portrayals of lifestyles that people don't know that much about, like the polygamists on 'Sister Wives.' Do you see any similarities between your culture and beliefs and theirs? Angie: We feel like we're just real people, like "Why? What's the interest?" but there are some misconceptions out there. I work at the Ford Motor Company, and Mike is a Deputy Chief for the sheriff's office, so I'm not sure that our jobs and our everyday lives could get any more American than that. But if showing that will dispel any misconceptions, then we're all about that. Mike: We are truly, sincerely in it for the message. I wasn't jumping at the opportunity, but it's a good message and we're on the show for that reason. Angie: It felt more like an obligation than an opportunity to be stars, that's for sure. [Laughs] These days, it seems like fewer people are raised with any sense of religion -- do you think that's the appeal here? Shadia: I think that the more people watch it, they'll realize that religion is not the big thing, and that we are just like everyone else. Suehaila: I think that people within our own community, within the American public, are going to have their views and opinions, but at the end of the day, everybody's entitled to their own opinion. That's the beauty of America. You're able to be a free thinker, and we're able to live our lives the way we see fit. In doing this show, this is our chance for those who are liberal, for those who are conservative, for those who are middle of the road ... Shadia: There's someone in the show for you! Suehalia: Yeah! This is the reality. You have families that have a black sheep in the family. You have people who are different. All these families have a little bit of something for everyone to relate to. What do you say to people who think you're just doing this to push a religious agenda? Mike: We're in it for the right reasons. We're raising our four kids in this wonderful country. My wife and I were born and raised here. My family's been here for a long time. So for the individuals that have misconceptions or fear the unknown, hopefully this will address any concerns. Angie: And clear up any lack of understanding. Islam is a faith, being born American is a nationality. That's just as acceptable as being Christian and American.  Shadia, we see you planning your wedding this season -- to an Irish Catholic guy. Was that a tough sell to your parents? Shadia: Nah, my family's pretty cool. His family's very Catholic, but they're very much like us ... it was funny to see them come together. They're not from our area, they don't know many Middle Eastern people and they don't know many Muslim people, but they have traveled the world and they have educated themselves. It was nice to bring them all together for our wedding -- it will all be on the show. Suehaila: It will all be on the show! The single sister planning her sister's second wedding. [Laughs] It's great. What's most important to our mom and dad is that we're happy and that we're with people who respect and love us. Every family and every culture can understand that. Parents would love for you to marry within your own race or religion, but if it works in a different way ... Shadia: And wait till you see it -- we are so different. He is a square! We balance each other so well. With reality TV being so popular, were you or your friends ever worried that this would be like the Muslim 'Jersey Shore'? What's your equivalent of fist bumping? Shadia: [Laughs] No! Suehaila: No, but you'll see a lot of hookah smoking, a lot of hanging out in the garage, having a good time. That's as crazy as we get. Do you have a message that you hope viewers will take away from the show? Mike: We're American, born and raised, and we're raising our children with the same American values. We just want to help send a positive message. Angie: We still have strong ties to the heritage of our parents, and I think that makes us even more fortunate as Americans. Check out our exclusive sneak peek of TLC's 'All-American Muslim' here:   Watch the video at: Related: Muslim Girl takes her burka off on YouTube : TLC presents All-American Muslim Nov 13, 2011 Under the Burka Muslim Modern Dance: MUSLIM Folk Dance Muslim dance,,.. PIG-A-PIR ( Muslim Suites ) pig-apir |
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