Figure 1.-- |
|
We have only limited information about Palestinian television and childrens programing. We have found some information about a Palestinian children's program. Hamas produces a program, "Tomorrow’s Pioneers". The producer of the program explains that his mission is not only to teach the children about liberating Palesine (meaninging Israel as well as the West Bank), but to dominate the world. He explains that both Jews and Christins are better off under Islamic rule. Remember this is not Isrealis and Americans saying this, this is what the Hamas official producing the program says. A character on the program is Fanfur Mouse, a Disney knockoff character. Fanfur tells the children are told that occupation has to be resisted, And by occupation they are referring to all of Palestine, not just the area assigned to Palestinian Arabs by the United Nations.
The transmission tests for Al-Aqsa Television in Gaza began January 22, 2006. It at first offered a limited schedule of programs. The Palestinian Authority, backed by Fatah Party, at the time the rukling party, granted a broadcast license to Al Aqsa Television, the first private television station in Gaza. For over a year Hamas has been broadcasting Al Aqsa Voice, one of 10 private radio stations in Gaza. Moheib Nawati, a Gaza political analyst wrote, "Under the democratic principle of freedom of expression, every political party is entitled to have whatever media it wishes to present and promote its programs and viewpoints." [Adams] Interestingly, Hamas since taking over Gaza, appears to have changed its mind about about allowing all parties to have media and freely express their point of view.
We do not yet have full details on the nature of the Hamas children's program "Tomorrow's Pioneers". We do know about one of the characters appearing on the program--Fanfur Mouse. Fanfur is a Disney knockoff character. Fanfur is the star of the show. He appears with a little girl named Saraa. An adult, Hazim Al-Sha’arawi deliveres most of the show’s principal message--Islamic supremacy. Fanfur tells the children are told that occupation has to be resisted, And by occupation they are referring to all of Palestine, not just the area assigned to Palestinian Arabs by the United Nations.
The program has a segment where children listening can call in and recite their poetry. One child orates, "We will destroy the chair of the despots, so they will taste the flame of death." Another child adds "Rafah sings 'Oh, oh.' Its answer is an AK-47. We who do not know fear, we are the predators of the forest." While the children are reciting, Farfur brandishes an imaginary assault rifle. More poetry:
"Oh Jerusalem we are coming,
Oh Jerusalem it is the time of death.
Oh Jerusalem we will never surrender to the enemy
And we will never be humiliated.
It is beloved Palestine that taught us what to be."
The Deputy Director of Al-Aqsa TV, Hazim Al-Sha’arawi, is one of the creators of the Hamas children’s TV show "Tomorrow’s Pioneers".
Hazim Al-Sha’arawi, Deputy Director of Al-Aqsa TV, was interviewed on Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas TV) and explained in detrail the purpose of "Tomorrow’s Pioneers". Heexplained that the program is designed to promote Islamic world rule, including Islamic eulecof other religions whichbhe says actually promotes “justice, goodness and world love.” Al-Sha’arawi explained that he desires to raise Palestinian children so that they can achieve "Islam's natural place" of world rule. "What is being asked, so that the Americans and Zionists will be satisfied with you, is to follow their lead … We [on this program] have a message, and we understood from the beginning that it is a difficult path... But we were sure that we had to go this way, because this [young] generation needs someone to direct it …and this generation is the most worthy of the position of leadership…
Let’s ask history: …which time period was good to all communities? The Jews lived in the time of Islam [under Islamic rule] and were happy. The Christians lived in the time of Islam [under Islamic rule] and were happy. Look at the history, the prophet [Muhammad]… ordered the army: ‘Do not kill a monk in his prayer room.’ Even the Caliph Umar Bin Al-Khattab, [Islamic conqueror of Jerusalem in 638] when he came into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, he secured the churches and the prayer rooms. Therefore, when we talk [on the program] about the mission of the restoration of Islam to its natural place [of world rule], we [are] calling for justice, and for goodness, and for world love… so that the Christians will live in peace, and that even the Jews will live in peace and security.” [Hazim Al-Sha’arawi]
Palestinian Authority (PA) Minister of Information Mustafa Barghouti in May 2007 was reportedly uncomfortable with parts of the program. It is unclear, however, just what he objected to.
Adams, Peter. "Hi-Tech Hamas Reporting From the Gaza Strip, " IslamOnline.net, January 22, 2006.
Hazim Al-Sha’arawi, Al-Aqsa TV interview, May 13, 2007.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to Main Oslo Peace Process--Palestinisan children]
[Return to Main Oslo Peace Process page]
[Return to Main Israel-Palestine page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]