Is Star Academy modernizing Islam?

BEIRUT - Alternative Staff

March/April 2006

While a number of Muslims were protesting what they believed to be offensive cartoons against their prophet, other Muslims were secluded in an academy learning how to sing and dance.

Star Academy, in its third season on the Lebanese satellite LBC, has successfully penetrated through all of the know Arab traditions. Young men and women, live under one roof and hanging out. The women are not veiled, and showing much flesh. Men are also in their casual wear.

While receiving their dancing and singing training, the men and women in Star Academy mingle and a drama erupt. Infatuation is always present among participants who hug, kiss, cry, laugh and sing. As a role model visitor, Lebanese seduction diva Haida Wehbe has been visiting the academy often, an act aimed at inspiring the young talents.

Clearly, the academy does not reflect the life of the majority of the Arabs. Yet, it certainly reflects the lives of a Westernized minority, albeit a growing one.

Leftists have always dismissed such aspects of social westernization on the premise that it is shallow and promotes consumerism at the expense of other more beneficial dimensions of westernization.

But truth has to be said. Star Academy has been one spot of superficial fun and laughter in a crazy region raging with frustration, violence and anger. Star Academy does not reflect the Arab world, yet it gives signs of Arab diversity and social contradictions.

The climax of this contradiction came to the forefront when the mother of one the contestants, Raqiya Ibrahim a North African Arab, who was knocked out before the final, surprisingly appeared on the stage in Beirut during one of the show’s primes.

Raqiya, an attractive and luscious young lady showing a nonchalant attitude toward its contact with men, was so much surprised to see her mom walking on the stage as she ran to her, kissed her and embraced her with some tears from both the mom and her daughter.

But Raqiya was not the only one surprised. A good part of the audience was surprised too when they saw the mother in a full Islamic dress. Even though this might be familiar to most Arabs, yet it tells a lot. It tells how in the Arab world, Islamic tradition and western consumerism could live under one roof. It shows that Muslims can endorse their religion without imposing their belief on their closed ones, including their off springs.

Star Academy might not be leading the way to a proper social rebellion in the Arab world, but it is at least scoring penetrations. Perhaps without it, TV programs would cover news of bombings, killings and hatred almost exclusively.

Make more Star Academy. The Arab people are sick of radical dogma, wars and coups. The Arab people want to live peacefully and while its does so, it harms no one if it has some leisure consumerist fun.