Muslim Network TV
invites you to
#BroadcastingMuslims
A Virtual Benefit for the Muslim Network TV
Thursday, December 31, 2020
7 pm Central / 8 pm Eastern
Join Imam Malik Mujahid, Boonaa Mohammed, Tahera Rahman, Hena Zuberi, Omar Regan, Janaan Hashim & Others to Mark a Milestone in the life of Islam in America
Ring in 2021 with a Master Plan to Put Muslims on Air. America’s only mainstream Muslim channel on air 24/7. Brought to you by an Award-Winning Team of Media Professionals with 120 years of combined experience in TV production
The question that sparked the quest for a Muslim TV
Immediately after 9/11, an elderly woman called Sound Vision and politely said, “I am not a Muslim, but can you talk to me?” She then asked Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, President and Founder of Sound Vision, about what channel she could watch to learn more about Muslims. When Imam Mujahid told her, “We don’t have one,” she insightfully responded, “Then how do you expect America to know about you?” That question anchored in the heart of Imam Mujahid, becoming a quest that culminated into the launch of Muslim Network TV, some 19 years later.
On Thursday, December 31, 2020 Join Sound Vision for the
#BroadcastingMuslims Benefit
To raise funds so we can tell our story, build our narrative & connect faithfully
Mission Impossible
“We’re going on-air in 48 hours”
Sound Vision’ has strategically planned to launch a mainstream Muslim channel for two decades. Over the years, our team of media professionals have reviewed and presented numerous research proposals and feasibility studies. We’ve also engaged in meetings with Executives from Aljazeera, TRT, British Muslim channels, and international media outlets.
The sudden 2020 pandemic propelled us at Sound Vision to take deliberate and bold steps to launch a media outlet for American and Canadian Muslims, especially given the increased TV consumption during the lockdown.
The initial launch plan was in the summer of 2020, allowing enough time for marketing and roll-out. Interestingly, an unexpected opportunity for cable channel airtime presented itself earlier.
“On May 6th, 2020, Imam Mujahid informed the team of an opportunity to go live on-air ‘within 48 hours’’” said Taha Ghayyur, Sound Vision’s Vice President.
Some staff reactions included, “We aren’t ready”, “How will we make this happen?”, and “What are we going to broadcast?”
However, we strategically launched Muslim Network TV in alignment with a virtual Ramadan conference organized by Justice for All. This served as the launching pad for Muslim Network TV.
“May 8th 2020, on a Friday afternoon, American, Canadian, and Mexican Muslims witnessed a historic inaugural broadcast of Muslim Network TV, which included a virtual Friday sermon (Khutba) presented by Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid. The sermon also served as the opening session for the 3-day Justice in Ramadan virtual conference,” said Hena Zuber. Hena serves as a host of the first talk show series on the Muslim Network TV program, Justice for All NOW.
Defying the odds, along with a few sleepless nights, this is how the Sound Vision team achieved a soft launch of Muslim Network TV during both the lockdown and the blessed month of Ramadan.
Today, Muslim Network TV airs on Galaxy 19 Satellite and is broadcast to 57 million subscribers across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Its 24/7 broadcast includes eight hours of fresh daily programming, available to 100 million subscribers across Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, and Roku.
Muslim Network can also be viewed through the app with iPhone and Android.
On Thursday, December 31, 2020 Join Sound Vision for the
#BroadcastingMuslims Benefit
With your generous support, we can continue to tell our inspiring stories, build our narrative and connect faithfully
How can we counter the 90% of negative media stories about Islam and Muslims?
A major study revealed that 90% of mainstream media stories about Islam and Muslims is negative. After all, the mainstream media won’t share stories about Muslim heroes and heroines, our diverse actions, nor our contributions to America and the world. The mainstream media no longer challenges hegemonic narratives and discourses disseminated by governments. They act as a mouthpiece through which these narratives are normalised and brought into our homes.
The media has built a certain narrative about Muslims. Therefore, we need to build our own counter-narrative.
Through Muslim Network TV, America can discover its Muslim neighbours. By bringing Muslim stories and voices to the forefront, Muslim Network TV fills a gap in the media landscape.
On Thursday, December 31, 2020 Join Sound Vision for the
#BroadcastingMuslims Benefit
With your generous support, we can continue to tell our inspiring stories, build our narrative and connect faithfully
86% have fallen for it
According to a 2019 survey, 86% of respondents said they fell for fake news at least once. 44% said they would sometimes or frequently do the same (2019 CIGI-Ipsos Global Survey on Internet Security and Trust).
There has been an unprecedented growth of disinformation and hoaxes on digital media platforms. This acceleration of “fake news” is driven by foreign actors, citizen journalism, government propaganda, the proliferation of talk radio and cable news. Mainstream media outlets have become polarized, contentious, and even promoters of hate.
Muslims in India, Myanmar, China, and even in the United States, Canada, and Europe have experienced their own shares of Islamophobic, and at times deadly fake news. This misinformation has depicted Muslims as criminals, barbaric, anti-West, anti-democracy, anti-women, and anti-peace.
“Corona Jihad” and “Love Jihad” stories in India, for instance, have led to anti-Muslim riots and horrid acts of lynching.
Who will take the responsibility to share the truth about Islam and Muslims backed by truth? Who will counter and correct anti-Muslim fake stories?
On Thursday, December 31, 2020 Join Sound Vision for the
#BroadcastingMuslims Benefit
With your generous support, we can continue to tell our inspiring stories, build our narrative and connect faithfully
Who tells our story?
Recently, the CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, showed off his latest technological project, a pig with an implant that can read brainwaves. He claimed the technology could help people suffering from paralysis and Parkinson’s disease.
The media was abuzz, amplifying this story for weeks. However, just ten years ago, a Muslim scientist invented an even more powerful brain chip. Most people will not likely be aware of this, unfortunately.
Did you know that countless doctors currently saving lives on the frontlines of New York’s pandemic are Muslim? Or that 50% Muslim physicians are discriminated against? Again, most won’t know about this.
The story of Muslim contributions remains untold. Whose job is it to share and shape our narrative? It’s our responsibility.
Muslim Network TV interviewed the original Muslim inventor of the brain chip. Our network also interviewed a Muslim female physician leading the pandemic task force in a New York City hospital. Unfortunately, America remains unaware of these fascinating interviews with Muslim scientists and experts.
Developing high-quality, professional programs is one thing. Getting people to watch is another. It requires marketing, and America is all about marketing. That’s why US politicians spent 10 billion dollars to publicize themselves in the 2020 federal elections.
On Thursday, December 31, 2020 Join Sound Vision for the
#BroadcastingMuslims Benefit
With your generous support, we can continue to tell our inspiring stories, build our narrative and connect faithfully
We’ve Got What it Takes to Broadcast Muslims
Muslim Network Television’s team of advisors have 120 years of combined production experience, with nine awards. Our engineering team’s experience includes launching more than 30 television channels and digital media operations in the United States and abroad.
But without any marketing, we may not be able to reach our goal of 150 million viewers. We are currently negotiating with a public relations and marketing firm to learn how to reach more potential markets.
Sound Vision is uniquely positioned to do this work, based on our experience with MuslimFest, Radio Islam, and Adam’s World. As a supporter of Sound Vision, we would like to sincerely thank you. We could not have achieved our collective success without Allah’s help, and without your commitment to our work.
Please support this latest phase in our goal to amplify the American Muslim narrative.
On Thursday, December 31, 2020 Join Sound Vision for the
#BroadcastingMuslims Benefit
With your generous support, we can continue to tell our inspiring stories, build our narrative and connect faithfully
2 generations have grown up to it —30 years ago Adam was born
Produced by a team of creatives and experienced puppeteer, artists, scriptwriters, educators, songwriters and singers, Adam’s World has been providing a worthy alternative to mainstream programming for Muslim children. Featuring the beloved Muslim characters, Adam and his sister Aneesah, the program has taught universal Islamic values in a fun and lively way for over 30 years.
In May of 2020, Adam’s World was reimagined to reach a new generation of Muslim kids. With the first-ever Adam’s World app, we’ve introduced 40 brand new episodes that feature stories about being a better neighbour and citizen, and being the best Muslim you can be.
New episodes have been produced using updated, eye-catching animation to engage young viewers. We’ve also introduced Nasheed music, bright imagery and videos.
“Adam is the Kufi-wearing puppet star of the Adam’s World children’s video series. He is to Muslims what Mickey Mouse is to Disney and Larry the Cucumber is to evangelical Christians. … Sound Vision, is a bit of Disney, PBS, Microsoft, and Oprah all rolled into one.” —Dallas Morning News
Sound Vision’s slogan since 1986, Helping Tomorrow’s Muslims Today, was established when the pioneering organization was first established. Alhamdulilah, we’re lived up to our vision and goals with your incredible support along the way.
An exciting new animation series for children will launch in the Spring of 2021. The Sound Vision team is working hard behind the scenes to make this happen.
Children’s edutainment programming is at the core of Muslim Network TV. We believe this is important because our up-and-coming generations have been neglected for too long. Even though we’re not competing with Disney, we are highly invested in engaging Muslim kids with high quality content that is relatable and engaging.
Please help Sound Vision enter a new chapter in children’s Islamic education programming.
On Thursday, December 31, 2020 Join Sound Vision for the
#BroadcastingMuslims Benefit
With your generous support, we can continue to tell our inspiring stories, build our narrative and connect faithfully
“Muslim Music”—25 years ago we pioneered this industry
The Muslim tradition of spiritual song (known as “nasheed”) is enriched with traditional Arabic, Urdu, Farsi, Bangla, Malay, and African language hymns. But did you know it was Sound Vision that first produced and globally distributed spiritually-rooted recordings aimed at English speaking Muslim audiences?
The tradition of poetry and songs praising God and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is deeply rooted in the Muslim cultures around the world. Nasheed, Hamd, Naat, Qasida, and Qawwali, are all an integral part of religious festivals and conferences.
Sound Vision’s pioneering efforts in the late 1990’s as an independent Muslim music label, spawned an entire “Muslim Music” genre, inspired countless Muslim artists world-wide and paved the way for numerous Muslim music companies to follow.
Sound Vision’s non-commercial approach to community bridge-building through song has made the organization unique from other for-profit music companies. For over twenty-five years, we’ve tried to maintain the longevity and integrity of good music. This has been challenging, especially because consumer trends are unpredictable.
In the spirit of socially-conscious singer/songwriters like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Joan Baez, the songs of Sound Vision recording artist Dawud Wharnsby have taken on a life of their own over the years. Dawud Wharnsby’s music has found their their way into the hearts of listeners regardless of age or location. His first Sound Vision album, “A Whisper of Peace”, was followed up by 14 popular recordings, and a repertoire of over 200 songs, which continue to circulate world-wide.
Sound Vision was instrumental in getting Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam to return to singing after he renounced it upon his conversion to the Islamic faith. Yusuf came to appreciate Sound Vision’s pioneering efforts in creative production. He even hand-delivered his master tapes to Sound Vision, requesting our team to distribute his Nasheeds.
Following Dawud Wharnsby, Sound Vision introduced Irfan Makki, a Canadian singer-songwriter. His debut album “Salam” released in 2006, and he later went on to produce songs with internationally renowned artists like Maher Zain.
With the launch of our highly anticipated content platforms, Muslim Network TV and Adam’s World, Sound Vision is excited to continue producing faith-inspired and culturally relevant songs for the next generation of English-speaking Muslims youth and communities.
On Thursday, December 31, 2020 Join Sound Vision for the
#BroadcastingMuslims Benefit
With your generous support, we can continue to tell our inspiring stories, build our narrative and connect faithfully
Our story of going on-air 20 years ago would not be our first—Radio Islam WCEV-1450AM
Twenty years ago, Muslim Americans had no way to talk to their own community, much less to America.
This is why Radio Islam was conceived.
RadioIslam.com launched its first show in December of 1999 to provide high quality, informative and creative Internet radio broadcast and cyberspace.
Soon after, Radio Islam aired live for listeners on Chicago’s WCEV-1450AM. It was the only daily Muslim mainstream radio talk show in America at that time!
“Everyone is talking about Islam and Muslims. It’s about time that we talk.”
This became Radio Islam’s motto.
It was also on the Radio prime time show that Chicago Muslims and their neighbours engaged in critical conversations about issues that impacted American Muslims. During the program, Chicagoland listeners learned about accomplished American Muslims making a difference in the lives of others.
Dignitaries and elected officials like Congressman Danny Davis regularly tuned into Radio Islam to get a pulse on Chicago’s Muslims. Over the course of Radio Islam’s 20-years on the air, hundreds of award-winning authors, leaders, and Nobel Laureates were welcomed onto the program. Little known fact: Congressman Keith Ellison was first introduced through Radio Islam before he became elected.
We value our RadioIslam.com listeners, because their support paved the way for Sound Vision’s evolved production today. In fact, Sound Vision’s creative programming remains the original Muslim broadcast, offering more than just traditional Islamic content. Today, the platform is home to in-the-know trends, eye-opening interviews, beautiful songs, inspiring stories told by community changemakers and more.
With the launch of Muslim Network TV, Radio Islam’s programming has been integrated into our daily talk show programs. The legacy of Radio Islam as the first and only American Muslim daily radio show laid the foundation for America’s first Muslim TV channel.
As we build on this rich legacy of North American-made Muslim media, we’d love for you to be part of this history in the making. We hope you’ll support our growth and success with feedback and financial support, InshAllah!
Listen to this brief 2004 NPR Interview by Radio Islam team:
On Thursday, December 31, 2020 Join Sound Vision for the
#BroadcastingMuslims Benefit
With your generous support, we can continue to tell our inspiring stories, build our narrative and connect faithfully
