TORONTO, July 12 (Islamonline.net) – The spotlight will be on Canadian Muslims this week as a major three-part documentary on the community is scheduled to begin airing on national TV.

For three weeks beginning Thursday, July 15 at 10 p.m. ET, Vision TV will present the "New Life in a New Land" series - designed to clear away misconceptions about Canada’s Muslim community and provide an alternative resource of current and accurate information on Islam and Muslims in Canada.

"It follows in the spirit of Canada’s inclusionary and multicultural policy by continuing the initiative of breaking down barriers and eliminating negative stereotypes that fuel racism and discrimination, particularly after the 9/11," the project's organizers said on its website.

The television station admitted that public perceptions of the Muslim community are informed by "stereotypical images of militant fundamentalists, and alarmist news reports about the recent introduction of Shari'ah tribunals in the province of Ontario." A large number of Muslims live in the city.

The series host is Dawud Wharnsby Ali, internationally renowned Muslim singer, songwriter and children’s entertainer.

Each video of the three-part series is 48 minutes and directed towards general viewers of any faith group.

Part One, "The Mosaic", due to be aired July 15, tells the story of Muslim immigration to Canada, from the early history of the community to the experiences of recent arrivals. It features interviews with community leaders, academics, professionals, young people and others.

In part two, "In Faith and Practice" (July 22), it looks at how Muslims practice their faith in a Canadian context.

The program explains the five "pillars" – or religious duties – of Islam, and offers a rare intimate look at the everyday practice of Islam. It also examines the significance of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, and explores the Muslim understanding of issues such as family, marriage, social responsibility and death.

The final episode, "A Warm Welcome", due July 29, highlights the contributions that Canadian Muslims have made to the country.

It profiles several members of this diverse community, from Dr. Ali Rajput, a Saskatoon neurologist renowned for his research on Parkinson's disease, to Alan Okanovic, a Bosnian refugee who biked across Canada to raise funds for the children of war-torn countries.

Internationally known Canadian Muslim singer and songwriter Dawud Wharnsby-Ali hosts the series, produced and directed by Michael Milo in association with Vision TV and the Division of Media Technology at the University of Saskatchewan.

The first Muslims arrived in Canada more than 150 years ago. In the last decade, the numbers of Muslims have doubled to nearly 600,000, making Islam one of the country's fastest-growing religions. Canadian Muslims can now be found in almost every walk of life.

Few minorities, however, have been subject to more ill-founded prejudice.

As a multifaith and multicultural television network, VisionTV is dedicated to presenting programs that celebrate Canada’s diversity and promote understanding and tolerance between people of different faiths.