by Omar Sacirbey, Globe Corresponden | June 26, 2007
When Labid Aziz of Natick thinks about “Never Mind Nirvana,” he sees a missed opportunity. A 2004 pilot for an NBC sitcom, it was centered on the travails of an Indian-American doctor, his pregnant white girlfriend, and his traditional parents, who move in. It was written by Indian-American novelist Ajay Sahgal, directed by “Friends” star David Schwimmer, and starred Kal Penn of “Harold and Kumar go to White Castle.” But the show didn’t make NBC’s final cut, losing out that year to “The Office” and “Joey.”
South Asians like Aziz, 32, a Bangladeshi-American Muslim and aspiring producer, saw in “Nirvana” a wellspring of roles that didn’t involve playing a terrorist or convenience store clerk while portraying the South Asian community, or a slice of it, in a way that might inspire empathy rather than incite resentment. On this fall’s schedule, Aziz has a second opportunity: The CW network is unveiling a new sitcom called “Aliens in America” about a Muslim exchange student from Pakistan.
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Read the full Boston Globe article here: Producer eyes better TV, film roles for Muslims
Things aren’t always as they seem.
I had left New Jersey to film this documentary with the understanding that Katrina came and went, and I’m going to be collecting the personal stories of the people. After spending three days in Baton Rouge I came to New Orleans, only to discover that disaster is still there. It’s been two years, and the people outside of Louisiana have forgotten. The people are trying to survive.
I had the opportunity to talk with a few people. I got to interview four people, all of which gave their personal stories.
Imam Wali Abdel Raoof
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Hammam Ansari
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Abdullah Shakows
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Mohammad Siddiq
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Imam Wali Abdel Raoof was saying how people blame Allah (swt) for what happened. Muslims say that it was a punishment from Allah (swt) because New Orleans is a “sin city”. He brought the example of prophet Job (alayhis salaam). Allah tested Job not because he did anything wrong, rather because he was a good person and was close to Allah. He tested him so that his status may be raised…
…Allah (swt) is testing us so that our status may be raised 
I spent only one day in New Orleans. I have to go back to capture the rest of the story and emotions this August inshaAllah.
As a human being, and as a Muslim, I strive not only to be thankful, but I also try to understand he wisdom in Allah’s decree. After having covered most of the key people in Baton Rouge, the reality of it dawned upon me.
Over the course of the past two days, these are the people whom I have interviewed:
Abu Abed Mubarak, Imam of Islamic Center of Baton Rouge
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Jane Whidbee Aslam, a ICNA Relief liaison and later FEMA coordinator during the Katrina crisis.
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Asif Hoda, a core volunteer in the Islamic Center of Baton Rouge
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Omar Suleiman, ICNA Relief Coordinator
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Abdul Qahhar, Islamic Relief Projects Coordinator
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Maqsood Ahmad, ICNA President, Louisiana
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Imam Abu Abed last night mentioned the five points of thankfulness:
- humility
- thanking the individual
- loving the individual
- recognizing that you don’t deserve it
- not using it for bad
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Today we will be on the road to New Orleans inshaAllah…
