The Rub on ‘Aladdin’

Jack G. Shaheen’s Counterpunch, “Arab Caricatures Deface Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ ” (Dec. 21), hit the bull’s-eye. It is disheartening to see Disney employ the archaic stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims as untrustworthy, uncharitable, bizarre and brutal. Such stereotypes malign the world’s 1 billion Muslims.

Islamic and Arabic cultures have made countless rich contributions to civilizations in such areas as mathematics, art, medicine and architecture, yet it seems that Hollywood can only portray Arabs and Muslims as bloodthirsty and illogical terrorists, oil-rich, sex-crazed sheiks or bungling camel jockeys. To Hollywood, it seems that the only good Arab is a bad Arab.

Although the movie industry has been one of the most blatant perpetrators of anti-Arab and anti-Muslim racism, it is not the only medium at fault. Arabs and Muslims are repeatedly portrayed negatively in TV programs, cartoons, novels, newspapers and even elementary school textbooks. “Aladdin” is just one more example of the malicious stereotypes to which impressionable young people are constantly exposed.

Such stereotypes have dangerous consequences, as evidenced by the sharp rise in harassment and hate crimes directed against American Arabs and Muslims during the Persian Gulf War last year.

It is time for the movie industry to recognize its fault, eliminate crude, negative stereotypes and begin to portray Arabs and Muslims in a more responsible manner.

RIAD IBRAHIM

Director, Public Affairs

Islamic Center of San Diego