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Jehanzeb Dar, United States, Saturday 7 June 2008
Earlier this week, I heard about Rachael Ray’s new commercial for Dunkin’ Donuts being pulled because of complaints from the right-wing blogosphere, specifically from the notoriously right wing Michelle Malkin. What were the complaints about? Well, according to Malkin, the black-and-white colored scarf worn by Rachael Ray in the commercial heavily resembled the keffiyeh, which she defined as the “traditional scarf of Arab men that has come to symbolize murderous Palestinian jihad.”
This kind of reaction is certainly not conducive to the current environment in which we live, which is contributing to the cycle of extremist propoganda in which both sides are guilty. In response to these complaints, Dunkin’ Donuts wrote:
“Thank you for expressing your concern about the Dunkin’ Donuts advertisement with Rachael Ray. In the ad that you reference, Rachael is wearing a black-and-white silk scarf with a paisley design that was purchased at a U.S. retail store. It was selected by the stylist for the advertising shoot. Absolutely no symbolism was intended. However, given the possibility of misperception, we will no longer use the commercial.”
Possibility of misperception? So if someone perceives the scarf as a Palestinian scarf, it is subsequently a “terrorist” or “jihadist” scarf? To label a piece of clothing as ‘terrorist’ related is of great concern to ordinary Muslims around the world, because one could argue this is exactly what Jewish people suffered from at the hand of the Nazis when the skullcap was frowned upon in similar circumstances.
Going back to the first point, the scarf worn by Rachael Ray was not a Palestinian scarf, and as argued on ‘The Young Turks’ radio program: So what if it was?!
Secondly, the racism in Michelle Malkin’s remarks are clear, the dehumanization and vilification of a people? According to people like her, anyone who wears that scarf is a “murderous Palestinian jihadist.” If Dunkin’ Donuts doesn’t want to offend anyone in their commercials, then they are not doing a good job by offending the Muslim and Arab community by agreeing with Malkin’s racist interpretation of the scarf.
The scarf, or keffiyeh, is a traditional Arabian headdress – it has no association with terrorism. I have worn the keffiyeh numerous times, I have friends who wear it, I have family members who wear it – should people point fingers at us and brand us terrorists? And one must remember that not all Arabs are Muslims, with a sizeable Christian population amongst Palestinians who wear the keffiyeh as well.
If commercials should be banned just because of their dress, then why don’t we ban all the depictions of Jesus wearing a Middle-Eastern headdress, or depictions of Moses and the other Prophets wearing the Middle-Eastern headdress?! (Peace be upon them all) Let’s outlaw all religious symbols, religious clothing, and religious slogans. In response to Dunkin’ Donuts, Malkin writes:
“It’s refreshing to see an American company show sensitivity to the concerns of Americans opposed to Islamic jihad and its apologists.”
Since the majority of employees at Dunkin’ Donuts are Indian, Pakistani, Egyptian, Iranian, and Latino – why don’t we just ban them too from the workplace? After all, if we use Malkin’s logic, these are people who are stealing our jobs (Indians), terrorists (Pakistanis), terrorists (Egyptians), holocaust-denying terrorists (Iranians), and illegal immigrants (Latinos). See how effective stereotyping is? We don’t need to judge people based on their individuality or on our own experiences with them, we can learn enough from their ethnicity!
This type of alarmist and xenophobic behavior is extremely offensive and disturbing. The media needs to address the concerns of Muslims in the West – we are the community facing an annual increase in hate crimes and discriminatory acts since 9/11, but people like Malkin downplay it. According to her, the hate crime incidents and reports are “exaggerated,” and Muslims are just “victimizing” themselves. Yes, Ms. Malkin, tell us that our clothing is terrorist clothing, and tell us to keep silent when some racist bigot calls us a “rag-head” or “dune coon,”.
Unfortunatley Ms Malkin, the hate is on you.
Jehanzeb Dar USA
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Comments (9)
Jehanzeb Dar ( 2 months ago )
The issue of wearing the keffiyeh as a fashion accessory is a different subject in my opinion. Here, I just wanted to stress on the fact that wearing a keffiyeh doesn't mean you're a terrorist.
Khanverse -- I referenced Jews and how they were vilified and dehumanized by the Nazis in order to show that this is what the West is doing to people of Muslim descent. It also shows that history tends to repeat itself if we don't learn from it.
Jehanzeb Dar ( 2 months ago )
I understand that prejudice and discrimination against Muslims still exist in Canada, but the number of hate crimes and discriminatory acts are much higher in the U.S. The Muslim youth in the U.S. have a very strong sense of their Muslim identity, so sometimes, the stigma that they face from non-Muslims can distract them from making improvements in their own community.
Jehanzeb Dar ( 2 months ago )
Maheen, I see that you are in Canada. The situation of Muslims in the U.S. is quite different than Canada's. No doubt there are extremist Muslims who condemn each other for differences of interpretation, culture, sect, etc. I hate the whole "kafir" thing too, and disunity is something that is hurting the Muslim community the most. However, these things don't make any excuse for prejudice and ignorant bigots to mistreat, verbally and/or physically abuse Muslims.
Khanverse The Truth ( 2 months ago )
why the reference to jews and nazis?
Btw, all of you guys complaining about Muslim organizations and what not have a Global Caliphate in your midst which has existed for 100 years but you call the group "outside the fold of Islam" as pretentiously cute as that is:
http://khanverse.com/news/2008/05/100-years-of-caliphate.html
Maheen Nusrat ( 2 months ago )
and Umer, let's not even talk about the Muslim Leaders, Muslim organizations, they re a bloody waste of human life is what they are---When was the last time they actually rose to the ocassion and did something that was beneficial to Muslims overall? They are too busy labelling me and others like me Kaafir and ensuring we stay out of the top hierarchies of their organizations
Maheen Nusrat ( 2 months ago )
By making it a commonplace, mass produced Capitalist fashion accessory, you reduce the value of it as a prop for an activist movement, and of course not to mention people like Malkin only add salt to injury
Maheen Nusrat ( 2 months ago )
as much as i agree with your article, i also would like to make a mention about the use of the symbol of the black and white keffiyeh by the western world as a fashion accessory, when it originated as a palestinian solidarity moevment (yes its use predates the PSM), but it has been made a political symbol (an anti-establishment symbol, an anti-terrorism symbol, a anti-atrocities committed against innocent people of Palestine by the state of Isarel Symbol).
Umer Ansari ( 3 months ago )
I think it is because of us American Muslims not lobbying Dunkin Donuts and not raising th voice in the mainstream American media. Plus I have no clue where are our "Muslim Organizations" and Muslim Leaders.
These type of events can help Muslims define themselves and clear stereotypes among Americans. We missed another opportunity.
Fatima Abdullah ( 3 months ago )
Jehanzeb
I'm sure there are millions of people out there who agree with you including the Non Muslims. Unfortunately there are many ignorant people like Ms Malkin but Dunkin Doughnuts haven't exactly received great PR here. The loss is theirs. Muslims are not going to stop wearing the Keffiyeh just because of what Ms Malkin things.
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