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It Must Be True, I Heard It On MRN
By Altaf Husain
27/12/2001
When the U.S. launched its war on terrorism not Muslims on October 7, 2001, the world was introduced to a "Muslim" news source, namely the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera. Most Americans were livid that CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, CBC and any other reputable news source that wanted to bring the war into homes across North America had to turn to Al- Jazeera for the latest news. Muslims around the world sat glum, thinking how great it felt that finally, we could tell our own story, with our own people. Before 9/11 and since then, Al-Jazeera has further inspired visionaries in the media world to launch more Muslim-owned and operated news sources. But they might be surprised that at least in North America, there already exists a Muslim news source: MRN.
The MRN operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. It manages to be staffed and funded without interruption. Using state of the art technology like satellite feeds, the Internet, simple telephone lines, and regular snail mail, MRN is able to maintain one of the most widespread archives of news reports from around the world. For now, most of the reporting still utilizes the radio airwaves, but there are signs that a more advanced multi-media set-up is on the horizon for MRN. Its founders were people just like you and me. Average Muslims, who wanted to help, or so they thought.
In addition, MRN uses satellite offices in almost every city where Muslims live in North America. The brilliance of MRN is that it is able to attract Muslims of all backgrounds and cater to their ethnic, linguistic, and cultural tastes. MRN's relaxed employment policies have created an organization built mostly on freelance reporters who refuse pay and in most cases even shy away from being cited or credited for their stories. Surprisingly enough, each local MRN affiliate manages to retain one or two reporters who feel it is their duty to work for MRN full-time and without pay. Most reporters, however, are satisfied that they have contributed at least one story to MRN. I have occasionally contributed a story to this network myself. I did not feel so good for having done it, but I guess I got caught up in the moment. You might have also either knowingly or unknowingly made a contribution.
Another aspect of the MRN is news analysis. There is a whole contingent of freelance analysts, who also turn down a salary and shy away from being cited or credited. These analysts have the uncanny ability to rise above the average MRN listener. They offer strong criticism of Muslim leadership, Muslim organizations, and even to some degree, question matters of Islamic theology without ever having spent an hour receiving formal instruction in that field. In addition, they have the self-proclaimed ability to question decisions about Islamic work without ever having spend an hour in the trenches either helping plan or carry out the work.
MRN manages to stay ahead of even the best-produced networks like CNN and BBC, largely because of the thirst that people have for alternative media. Its supporters are so loyal that they often times disregard the mainstream media reports and prefer MRN reports instead. While supporters of MRN will do anything to make sure it never goes out of business, critics claim that MRN distracts Muslims from reality. Some self-proclaimed media experts note that MRN offers nothing but an escape from the day-to-day realities of life. According to the critics, MRN staff would better serve the Muslim community if they used their energies in more constructive ways. Some critics have noted that MRN coverage is based largely on seeking to place blame rather than guiding Muslims to take responsibility for the state of the Ummah.
MRN has had its ups and downs and there is the occasional lull in reporting. But no one could have imagined the power of MRN until the events of 911 started to unfold. Within literally minutes of the tragedy, MRN reporters and analysts went to work, unrelenting in their pursuit of explanations, alternative explanations, predictions, alternative predictions, and criticisms of everything from the American government and Osama Bin Laden to our very own Hamza Yusuf, Siraj Wahhaj and Muzammil Siddiqui.
It would be difficult here to list the top stories featured on MRN since 911. There were simply too many. But a partial list of the headlines should suffice:
4000 Jews Did Not Report to Work on 9-11-01
Muslims Not Capable of Such Precise Attacks
CNN Used 1991 Footage of Palestinians Celebrating
Global Positioning Technology, AutoPilots Responsible for 911
CIA, Mossad Complicit in 911 Attacks
Allah Most High is the only one who knows for sure what happened on September 11, 2001. But repeat that too often in front of loyal MRN reporters, analysts, and supporters and you are likely to get a sound beating! There was even one story that required more than "just imagining something", it actually asked people to type in certain letters which when converted to another symbol-based font revealed two towers and the skull and bones image. Yes, sadly, I admit to typing those letters in myself.
Figured out what the MRN is yet? Welcome to the Muslim Rumor Network. You might wish to go back and start reading this article from the beginning if this came as a shock to you. Remember that a viable Muslim media outlet will never be necessary if all of us are content with the ceaseless banter that passes as news and analysis and is fueled largely with rumors, suspicions, doubts, and conspiracy theories.
Far more than informing its listeners, the MRN has continued to distract the Muslim community from the real issues at hand. It has kept us from facing the uncomfortable reality that perhaps a portion of the
Ummah is illiterate, poor, oppressed by other Muslims and has in fact been hijacked by people who only claim to be Muslims but are far from practicing any of Islam's teachings.
Muslims in North America must aspire to a more sophisticated understanding of the society in which we live. The mainstream media cannot be our only source of news but this does not mean we replace their faults and biases with our own. We must refrain from the incessant desire to cast blame on others for the conditions we find ourselves in.
Colonialism ended some time ago. The future progress of our communities cannot be held back because of the damage inflicted by the colonialists on our collective psyche. Neither can the future direction of our communities be based upon and guided by largely unsubstantiated, unsophisticated, mostly simplistic and emotional responses to the complex nature of world events. If we wish to tell our story, let us aspire to higher, more noble ideals set forth in the Qur'an and the
Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. Were our judgment and outlook not so clouded by the MRN coverage, we might have a chance to be blessed by Allah Most High with a clarity of purpose. Turn off the MRN. Do not contribute to it. Walk away from it. Seek refuge in Allah Most High from those who report for, analyze on behalf of, and support the MRN. We can do without it and we will be better off because we got rid of it!
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