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TV network for US Muslims targets 2004 Summer launch
MUMBAI: Ever since the events of 9/11, Americans have been wary of the Muslim community. Bridges TV hopes to act as a connection point between Muslims residing in the US and the rest of the population.
Billed as the first network dedicated to the eight million US Muslims, Bridges TV has targetted a launch for next year. The tagline for the channel is Where American Muslims Come Home. Muzzammil Hassan developed the idea and the business plan for Bridges TV.
The twin purposes behind Bridges TV are to celebrate the rich diversity and talents of American Muslims and to build bridges of understanding and friendship between American Muslims and mainstream Americans.
The network is in the process of gathering 10,000 paying members who are necessary to demonstrate public support. Its plan is to broadcast four to six hours of programming in its initial year of operations. In its fourth year it envisages becoming a 24-hour network like Black Entertainment Television.
Its shows will cover the different genres be it children, news, sports, entertainment or women centric programmes. Children can expect Muslim cartoons, Barney/Sesame style educational show, Quran lessons, animated Quran stories and fables. News shows will deal with events taking place in Muslim countries as well as domestic news impacting American Muslims.
The need for such a channel is acutely felt. While some foreign language programming is available on satellite such as ART in Arabic, PTV in Urdu and Zee TV, their shows and news deal with issues back home. Research indicates that these channels appeal to the immigrant parents, not to their US born children or indigenous Muslims.
Without coverage of domestic issues, these channels are not relevant to Muslim life in America. Research also indicates that Muslims most desire a talk show that deals with issues that impact their daily existence.
The management team includes Ken S who has two decades of engineering and operations network experience in television networks such as MTV, Nickelodeon, Discovery. Bridges TV claims to have received positive feedback from US cable industry heavyweights such as Time Warner Cable, Echostar, AT&T Broadband.
Besides entertaining and educating US Muslims, the channel also aims at correcting misconceptions Americans have about Islam. For instance, last year, on Fox News Bill O’Reilly had gone on record on his show The O’Reilly Factor saying, “Islam is the religion of our enemies.”
One of the channels endorsers is boxing legend Muhammad Ali. He said, “We need to let the rest of America get to know us the way they would get to know their next door neighbour, seeing us in natural situations at work and at play. We think Bridges TV will help make this happen. We hope that this venture will be very successful – for the sake of all Americans.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
