Muslim group's outrage over Warner Bros' 'Towelhead' movie title
Washington, Aug 26 : An Islamic civil rights advocacy group has urged Warner Bros. to
change the title of their new movie 'Towelhead' because the word is offensive and
exploitative.
Los Angeles members of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) insist the
derogatory term is offensive to American Muslims and Arab-Americans.
They go so far as to state the term 'towelhead' as a racial and religious slur.
In a letter sent to studio executives, the Islamic civil rights and advocacy group has
asked that the film, directed by Alan Ball, be called Nothing is Private - a title
previously used in some markets, reports Showbiz Spy.
CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush writes, The word is commonly used in a
derogatory manner against people of the Muslim faith or Arab origin... We have no desire
to inhibit the creative process or your right to produce any film you wish. However, I ask
you to take the above concerns into consideration and examine the social implications of
releasing the film under its current title.
It is unfortunate that a major film studio would choose to exploit an ethnic slur as a
sensational promotion for a movie. Mainstreaming a bigoted term in this manner will only
serve to legitimize and normalize anti-Muslim prejudice in our society.
The film, starring Aaron Eckhart, Summer Bishil and Toni Collette, is adapted from
Alicia Erian's novel about a young Arab-American girl's struggles with life and sexual
obsession.
The heroine of Erian's story is dubbed 'Towelhead' by some ignorant and bigoted
Americans.
--ANI
