Bollywood vs. Bin Laden: Why Radical Islam Fears Pop Culture
by Reason TVEven before Osama Bin Laden was killed by U.S. soldiers, his brand of anti-modern, anti-pleasure Islam was under attack by Bollywood, India’s pop culture juggernaut that boasts a global audience of 3 billion people.
As Reason Foundation Senior Analyst Shikha Dalmia explains, Bollywood movies and videos appeal to young men and women in Muslim and Arab countries because they dramatize the sorts of tensions between traditional and modern ways of living. “Who should decide who one should marry – is it the parents or is it the boy and girls themselves?” asks the Indian-born and raised Dalmia. “In the West, in Hollywood movies, it’s not even an issue. But it’s a huge issue in that part of the world and all of Bollywood movies deal with that one central question.”
Dalmia also notes that Muslims are among the most popular – and sexually suggestive – performers in Bollywood productions. “When you have Muslims succeeding in Bollywood as Muslims, it makes them feel, well, we don’t have to give up our religion in order to be modern,” observes Dalmia. “That’s very, very subversive…of Islamic demands and Islamic extremism….If you can have a good time in this world…and still be religious, why do you have to strap suicide bombs to your chest and blow yourself up?”
Approximately 4.30 minutes. Produced and edited by Hawk Jensen; camera by Paul Detrick.
Go to Reason.tv for downloadable versions of this video and subscribe to Reason.tv’s YouTube channelfor automatic notifications when new material goes live.
For further reading, check out “Look Who’s Rocking the Casbah: The revolutionary implications of Arab music videos” and “In Praise of Vulgarity: How commercial culture liberates Islam – and the West,” both by Charles Paul Freund.






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39 Comments
"If you can have a good time in this world…and still be religious, why do you have to strap suicide bombs to your chest and blow yourself up?”
I always said if you westernize them and they get a taste of what they're mising they will forget all about Islam.
Yeah, but pop culture sure be lovin' them some islum.
Wow some good news for a change.
This is truly the bizarro world we live in.
http://www.dnainfo.com/20110505/downtown/presiden...
"By Julie Shapiro and Tom Liddy
DNAinfo Staff
GROUND ZERO — A New Jersey teen who lost her father on 9/11 got the rare privilege Thursday of meeting the President — but she really wants to meet Justin Bieber.
So a few months ago, Payton Wall, 14, of Rumson, wrote to President Barack Obama, asking the leader of the free world for help in meeting the teenage Canadian pop prince.
…
"I was practicing my handshake all day, but he gave me a hug," said the ecstatic teen.
"He told us he knows Justin," she said. Obama added that she could meet him some time soon.
Her younger sister, Avery, 12, and mom, Diane, were also at the ceremony and met Obama.
"He said it was an honor to meet us. He's really cool," said Avery.
Her father, Glen Wall, was a partner at Cantor Fitzgerald when a plane struck Tower 1 nearly 10 years ago.
He was 38 when he died."
You get that?
The plane just 'struck' the tower.
The girls father, 'died'.
But worry not! Obama and Bieber are here to save the day.
Doubleplus-ungood.
I'm sorry but this just fvcking disgusts me.
9/11 Family Invited To Presidential Ground Zero Visit Snubs Obama
"What rubbed the Vigiano's the wrong way was not what the email said, but how it was addressed.
"It says 'Dear 9-11 family member,' – no names" " John Vigiano said, reading the invite aloud to PIX 11 cameras. "I don't know if its disrespectful, but it doesn't work for me."
'Dear 9-11 family member'
How thoughtful.
Screw Obama and the whole lot of them.
I have known and done business with a lot of Arabs over the years. They become more "westernized" once they arrive in the likes of Paris, Zurich, Frankurt, London, NYC or LA. It is a non-stop party. I once accompanied a Saudi customer to a "health club" in Frankfurt. Once he found suitable entertainment, he asked me to hold his passport and cash. I left (high cost and for me, not worth cheating on my wife) and returned to my hotel. When I emptied my pockets and went to the safe in my room, I found he had handed me over $10,000 to hold for him along with his passport. When he arrived in my showroom the next day (around noon) he asked me if I could help him find his passport. It was simply amazing- he did not ask about the money (which I returned along with his passport).
May as well use the same techniques to tear down all societies. This one needs some ripping, but I know they will go too far and lose the good as they blow up the bad. Human nature.
The times, they are a-changing (for the better, we humbly pray).
Enticing a muslim teenager to leave the seventh century is not difficult when Bollywood or Hollywood
or whatever, can entice a 21st century teenager to do outragous things and call it hip or kool
or whatever the teen equivalent is these days. Freedom is Islams biggest obstacle.
But, God Forbid they should offend any Muslims who want to kill us!
OK This is way super cool.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/05/04/...
i'm going to pick her up………………….a camouflage burqaa!!!
And this is way super uncool.
Actually those aren't my choice words.
Debra Burlingame, the sister of Charles "Chic" Burlingame (pilot of the plane that crashed into the Pentagon) met with President Obama today, along with other families who were victims of 9/11. Burlingame said she confronted Obama about Attorney General Eric Holder prosecuting the men who interrogated KSM, which may have produced intelligence leading us to bin Laden.
Burlingame describes the encounter with Obama: "As a former attorney I know you can't tell the Attorney General what to do, he said, 'No, I can't.' But I said 'we — that shouldn't stop you from giving your opinion. We wouldn't be here today if they hadn't done their jobs. Can't you at least give them your opinion.' And he said 'no I won't,' and he turned around and walked away."
Walked away. Probably wanted to sleep on it.
Interesting and insidious. "They" know that the average person who pays any attention to news whatsoever will just automatically "fill in the blanks" – I did, and I pay a hell of a lot more attention than most. I was probably disarmed by the source – you… and sadly that is also what happens to the "average" schlubb. They trust the media to be honest and don't give stuff like this a second thought – assuming they gave it a first one, that is…
Yeah, 'cause there's no telling what they'd do to us after we're dead…
"They trust the media to be honest and don't give stuff like this a second thought"
Hahahhaha, second thought.
You missed when they skip the first thought.
We have always been at war with Eastasia citizen. Now what were you asking?
Best way to win is through liberty.
The 911 hijackers spent the night before 911 in a strip club putting money in g-strings.
Could you introduce me to your Saudi friend ?
Just kidding.
Maybe if those jihadists would just go visit a brothel once in a while, they wouldn't kill people to get to 'heaven' and the 72 virgins.
Ok I didn't read a word in the article….
That said….They are afraid of Educated People with world views.
Thank you
I bet they'd release the pictures they took…
But, but, but… the goats will be so lonely…
Signed, Anonymous
Gawd, o's such a liar, he absolutely can direct Holder, or FIRE his ASS!!!
Laura Ingraham was talking today about some Congressional testimony by some person in Home-
land Security or INS, who clearly admitted how the Obama government is completely ignoring the
immigration laws of the USA. I was on a long drive, and my attention wasn't so good, but what was
said before that committee was chilling.
Yeah, all good and fine. Yet the artical I read today just takes any potential cultural identification away from any of these freaky countries (sorry for lacking any kind of tolerance, check back with me tomorrow to see if my mood's changed…) needless to say, I couldn't finish watching the video without thinking that either of the pop bollywood stars could have been the girl whose picture was featured on this artical.. http://charter.net/news/read.php?rip_id=<d...
Warning- joy killer
My name is Sheila
SheIla ki jawani
I'm just sexy for you
Main tere haath na aani
Na na na Sheila
Sheila ki jawani
I'm just sexy for you
Main tere haath na aani
Yeah BABY!
I LOVE BOLLYWOOD
GO BOLLYWOOD!!! India – beautiful country, beautiful people. It's so healing to watch their joy and free spirit – it's such a stark contrast to the misery and rage of Islam. Glad some Muslims have apparently escaped to greener pastures.
The Middle East is as sickened by Hollywood as many in the West. For example, just look at the vastly different manner which Hollywood depicts sex versus Bollywood's treatment of it: Bollywood depicts it as joyful and rapturous, whereas Hollywood depicts it as sick and destructive. And don't even get me started on marriage!
Hedonism vs Asceticism, that is the question. One can properly surmise there is a place in this world for folks in both camps. Whatever you choose, that is your business and it is none of my own. When I make MY choices, please make it your business to BUTT OUT.
That is the position of The Supreme Galooty, and that is also why he holds those jolly Musselmen in such low esteem. They, like liberals everywhere, are foaming at the mouth about minding other peoples' business.
"Moderation in all things including Moderation itself." – Unknown
WOW, I am shocked and surprised. Good video and excellent narrating this "Bollywood vs Bin Laden.
The last 19 sec were impacting: "In a World where only 2 Parties clash, NO one sees the Independents
…UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE."
Yeah, that's what will save the populations of Muslim countries from their state-sponsored indocrination into a Babylonian moon-god cult – - Hollywood.
They need to know that God is real, and his name is not Allah.
Harry,
that was great.
If you can ever locate a copy of Jilly Cooper's book, "Animals in War", grab it and don't let it go.
It is a well researched history of the many animals that have been used in wars throughout history. It was written over twenty years ago, so will not have anything about recent conflicts, but the information still holds true.
Dogs, Cats and Horses RULE!!!
I denounce NPR for not broadcasting agricultural futures, locations where factories are hiring workers, and what countries my Komrades in the military should be overtaking.
Instead of valuable social information, I must listen to Comrades Klick and Klack tell me how to fix cars (not tractors!), and long winded stories of frozen lake Woebegone in Lutheran Republic of Minnesota
He would need Michelle and Valarie Jarrett's permission first anyway.
If bin Laden had one of those Indian red stickers on his forehead, the Seals wouldn't have made his headshot off center and sloppy.
I tried to watch the clip, but got the message that it wasn't available. Has youTube taken it down? (Or is the demand too great?)
She dose seem to be right !
Pretty girls with nice bodies, can change harts and minds…
oh!!!…them is some nice lookin' girlys…
Here ya go, you'll like this…
“INTELLIGENCE: Dead Bin Laden And The Data Domino Effect”
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htintel/articles...
Thanks Harry. I have looked at that link several times and forwarded it to a bunch of REAL Americans who will enjoy it as much as I have…
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