This is amazing if it is true…and I would not be one bit surprised if it is. I wrote an e-mail to NASCAR Corporation Headquarters and have already recieved a response from the head of Public Relations.
They said that they are aware and are monitoring the possibility of the situation but wouldn't share any more details at this time.
I have also wrote an e-mail to Dateline@nbc.com. I am still waiting for a reply.
Here are the links to the 2 e-mails that is in a MSN political group forum.
From: "Tarek El-Messidi"
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 19:52:36
Salam,
I hope everyone is doing well.
I recently spoke with a producer of the NBC Dateline show and he is in the process of filming a piece on anti-Muslim and anti-Arab discrimination in the USA. They are looking for some Muslim male candidates for their show who would be willing to go to non-Muslim gatherings and see if they attract any discriminatory comments or actions while being filmed.
They recently taped two turbaned Sikh men attending a football game in Arizona to see how people would treat them. They set them up with hidden microphones and cameras, etc. They want to do the same thing 2 or 3 other times (in various parts of the USA) with one or two Muslim men in each setting. They are looking for men who actually "look Muslim". They want a guy with no foreign accent whatsoever, a good thick beard, an outgoing personality, and someone willing to wear a kufi/skullcap during the filming. They also want someone who is fairly well accomplished and has contributed to society at large in some meaningful way.
That said, I'm urgently looking for someone who can be filmed this April 1st weekend at a Nascar event (and other smaller events) in Virginia. NBC is willing to fly in someone and cover their weekend expenses. The filming would take place all day on Saturday and Sunday. We already have a hijabi sister who will be filmed there but a Muslim is also needed to join her. I also need candidates for the other filming segments which will take place in the following weeks.
A few weeks later, NBC will fly all the filmed participants to New York City to interview them as a group about their experience and thoughts on discrimination they've faced in America, especially in light of the times we live in (war on terror, 9-11, etc.). The show, if approved by NBC (highly likely), is expected to air sometime this summer.
What I need from interested candidates is an email with an attached clear photograph, a resume, and contact information. I also need basic information such as age, ethnic background, accomplishments, etc. The sooner I can get this the better and please don't make emails too long. I will then submit a group of candidates to NBC so they can choose the people for the show.
Please forward this to all Muslim lists you can. Because of the upcoming filming in Virginia, this is pretty time-sensitive. My contact information is below.
Salam,Tarek El-Messidi
Email:
---Original Message-----
---Original Message-----
From: Tarek El-Messidi [mailto:tarek@muslimknoxville.org]
Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2006 5:51 AM
Subject: Update to NBC Dateline Search (including sisters)
Salam,
A couple of days ago, I sent out the email below regarding the NBC Dateline producer looking for Muslim males to be filmed. Alhamdulillah, I've been flooded with responses that will be forwarded to them soon. I just wanted to send an update that they decided to postpone the filming at the NASCAR event by one weekend (until April 8th). It's still not too late to submit your information but the sooner, the better.
Also, a couple of sisters have inquired about submitting info. While NBC did mention that they prefer male candidates (because they feel that people are less likely to show discrimination to a woman out of courtesy), I will also forward emails I receive from sisters. They may consider filming another hijabi sister if she's very qualified for the role. Please read the initial email I sent below about what to submit.Again, please forward this out to as many email lists as possible.
Salam,
Tarek El-Messidi
Email: tarek@muslimknoxville.org
5 comments:
Let me see if I got this right...NBC is going to pay an all out expense trip to a NASCAR event for someone that looks Muslim or Arab???
Man..If I hurry up and grow a beard and wear a turban (oh, and downplay that whole “being-an-evangelical-Christian-and-not-Muslim” thing), I can get flown to a NASCAR race at NBC’s expense, provided I wear a wire? Sign me up. I hope some lucky NASCAR fan manages to “win” the trip to the race, even if it can’t be me.
This has to be a hoax... Why would NBC want to do this... They have an invested interest in NASCAR do they not... Don't they broadcast half the season???
It just doesn't seem to make sense why they would want this...
Jimbo you might find it interesting that NBC is loosing NASCAR next season to ABC/ESPN...
And they are not all that upset about it.
NBC has not had near the success that they thought they would with the sport.
I think this may be NBC trying to give NASCAR a nice kiss of death on the way out the door.
I didn't know that... It makes sense now...
Of course NBC hasn't had the success with NASCAR their broadcast suck!!! I can't stand to watch NASCAR on NBC. Evertime I do I get the impression that they don't understand the sport and they don't understand me the fan. It is dull, boring and done without passion...unlike FOX.
Booogity, Boogity, Boogity, lets go racin boys!!!
Amen to that Jimbo and if this story is true we now know what NBC thinks of NASCAR and their fans!!!
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