MPAC to Honor Zarqa
Nawaz of ‘Little House on the Prairie’
The
producer and the cast |
Los Angeles, CA: Even before
"Little Mosque on the Prairie" hit Canadian prime
time television in January, the sitcom generated international
media interest based on its unheard of depiction of the
complex and endearing Muslim residents in a town called
"Mercy".
At its heart, "Little Mosque" takes a humorous
look at relationships, family, love, the generation gap
and balancing different faiths and cultures in a prairie
setting.
SEE: ";Little Mosque on the Prairie" - Ist Episode
(Canadian Broadcasting Corp)
MPAC is to present its 16th Annual Media Award honoring
voices of courage and conscience to "Little Mosque
on the Prairie" creator Zarqa Nawaz during its on June
29 in Los Angeles, CA. Other honorees recently announced
are Oscar-winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth"
and Oscar-nominated foreign film "Indigenes / Days
of Glory". This 34-year-old filmmaker and journalist
has acquired recognition with her films, which examine and
demolish stereotypes associated with Muslims.
"As a community, we're realizing that rather than sit
back and complain about our representation, we have to be
proactive in creating our own image," Nawaz says. "Become
filmmakers, become journalists, own our own newspapers,
participate in society."
Even before it premiered, the show attracted international
media attention, prompting the CBC to broadcast it months
ahead of its original schedule and it debuted to a record
audience of Canadian viewers. "Little Mosque"
averaged one million viewers per episode in its first season
and is currently in production on season two. The show has
recently been renewed for a second season.
This month, "Little Mosque On The Prairie" signed
its first international distribution deal for the show with
French broadcasting giant Canal+, which will begin airing
the first season in July 2007. The show, which will air
in France as well as in French-speaking regions in Switzerland
and French-speaking countries in Africa, will air in local
voice-over formats.
In an effort to promote positive and accurate representations
of Islam and Muslims, MPAC each year recognizes voices of
courage and conscience who are the best in their field.
Since 1991, MPAC has honored artists, actors, authors, and
activists for their artistic contributions to tolerance
and diversity. Last year's honorees were Warner Brothers
for "Syriana", the Academy Award nominated film
"Paradise Now" and director Hany Abu-Assad, and
South Asian rock band "Junoon" founder Salman
Ahmad.
Tickets for MPAC's 16th Annual Media Awards Dinner on June
29, 2007 at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles are now
available for $150 each or $1500 for a table of 10. Call
MPAC at (213) 383-3443 to purchase your tickets today. Tickets
will not be sold at the door.
Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council is an
American institution which informs and shapes public opinion
and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision
makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC
is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose
of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim
Americans.
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