Bridges TV is a grass-root effort by North American Muslims to launch a nationwide television channel on cable and satellite by Summer 2004. This English language channel will provide family programming and entertainment consistent with the lifestyle of American Muslims. Two key purposes of the channel are to:
- celebrate the rich diversity and talents of American Muslims
- build bridges of understanding and friendship between
- American Muslims and mainstream Americans
"Lonnie and I think that the best way to overcome the erroneous image of American Muslims is to let the rest of America get to know us the way they would get to know their next door neighbor, seeing us in natural situations at work and at play. We think Bridges TV will help make this happen. We hope this venture will be very successful - for the sake of all Americans."
Muhammad Ali
The Champ
"Bridges TV is a very good idea. To have our own media outlets, our own timing and our own kind of programming. Therefore, we can decide what kind of messages we send out."
Nihad Awad
Executive Director
Council on American-Islamic Relations
"This project is being done very professionally. Bridges TV is my 'dream' come true"
Hakeem 'The Dream' Olajuwan
Former NBA superstar with the Houston Rockets
"An American Muslim television channel is the greatest need of our times. The community needs to single-mindedly focus on the success of Bridges TV."
Imam W. Deen Muhammad
President
American Society of Muslims
"Bridges TV is about celebrating the rich diversity and talents of American Muslims. Its a source of pride for all Muslims in America."
Alex Kronemer
Creator and co-producer of Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet
"I will certainly subscribe to Bridges TV. I will make it my business to subscribe to Bridges TV and make sure that all my friends watched it too."
Karen Armstrong
New York Times Best Selling Author
"I laud your expression of interest in promoting understanding and tolerance that are hallmarks of viable multi-ethnic, democractic and pluralist modern societies."
Stuart Holliday
Media Assistant to Secretary of State Colin Powell
U.S. State Department
"I think that many Americans are interested in what Islam and the Muslim culture is all about. I think Bridges TV is an idea whose time has definitely come."
Sheldon Altfeld
Hollywood Producer
Winner of 4 Emmy Awards
"Bridges TV will fill a void that exists in domestic and foreign programming that currently does not address the unique issues facing American Muslims. The potential is great for this project to serve the community and to educate others about Islam and the incredible diversity of the Muslims of America."
Dr. Laila Al-Marayati
Founder and Spokesperson
Muslim Women's League
"I have been impressed with the depth and soundness of the business plan for Bridges TV. It will be serving a sizable unserved market that is needed, with high quality programming that can only lead to success for Bridges TV."
Ken Stiver
CEO, Stiver Communications
A Satellite Uplink Company
"I like the idea of Bridges TV and the use of the word Bridges. The more involvement in media is a big challenge and an opportunity. So I hope the community completely supports initiatives like this."
Dr. Akbar Ahmad
Ibn-e-Khuldoon Chair
American University
"Bridges TV will be some thing very inspiring for American Muslims. It will also be some thing that will allow them to feel comfortable coming out into American society."
Eric Vickers
Executive Director
American Muslim Council
"Bridges TV is not simply an Islamic channel, but it's a channel that is morally driven, its family friendly and therefore it should attract the common American television viewer."
Dr. Iqbal Yunus
International Institute of Islamic Thought
"I think Bridges TV is just an example of the growing maturity and sophistication of the American Muslim community that people are even at this stage where we can contemplate this kind of network. So I think it's a good sign for the community and we encourage every one to support it."
Ibrahim Hooper
Director of Communications
Council on American-Islamic Relations
"Right now they (mainstream Americans) do not understand Al-Jazeera. They don't understand PTV. They don't understand Zee TV. We need to create a mechanism and a channel of our own that can express and convey our message."
Khalid Qazi, MD
President, Western NY Chapter
American Muslim Council
"After careful examination of the content, I feel that Bridges TV is going to benefit the Muslim community in the United States, North America and Europe."
Dr. Sulayman Nyang
Project MAPS
Howard University
"Bridges TV would serve an important purpose in creating better understanding between Muslim community and the larger American community."
Dr. Louay Safi
President
Association of Muslim Social Scientists
"If we leave out media from our efforts, we will be missing out on a big opportunity. I think Bridges TV is a great idea. I hope it flies and gets maximum support from the community."
Faiz Rehman
Director of Communications
American Muslim Council
"I think Bridges TV is not what would be considered a typical religious channel. It's about a way of life, so that's consistent with Islam."
Imam Fajri Ansari
American Society of Muslims
