New Generation Of TV Hosts Help Spread Religious Revival In The Arab World

As Ahmad al-Shugairi took the stage, dressed in a flowing white gown and headdress, he clutched a microphone and told his audience that he had no religious training or titles: "I am not a sheik."

But over the next two hours, he worked the crowd as masterfully as any preacher, drawing rounds of uproarious laughter and, as he recalled the Prophet Muhammad's death, silent tears. He spoke against sectarianism. He made pleas for women to be treated as equals. He talked about his own life -- his seven wild years in California, his divorce, his children -- and gently satirized Arab mores.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[observer007]

More waking hypnosis - does he have a send money routine to go with the "kinder, gentler apocalyptic monotheism" routine?

[BillMyers]

I'd like to see Ahmad al-Shugairi commenting about stopping Islamic terrorists.

It is time to call on the Muslim community to take action against their own people.

Bill Myers
VDOAKTV.NET

[LovingHope]

There is no difference between the koran and the bible. They are both old books with a whole bunch of fairy tales, and they both have been misconstrued to gain power. Why can't we all just get along.

[serindipity803]

In truth - they both copied one another and the Sumerian text. Run with the myth.

[beright]

Actually Cannanitic script (Sumerian comes later), both of which can be traced to Egyptian hieroglyphics.

[Bocado]

So very true.

[luke150]

Because of such things like organized religion and politics. They don't have a goal of having people get along.

[dougbob]

while i count myself as one of those who view any organized religion with a great deal of suspicion, i think that there positive aspects to this story that shouldn't be overlooked. perhaps these sorts of televangelists can function as a bridge between the peaceful aspirations of peoples (as opposed to our/their "leaders") in different parts of the world. the culture of the west isn't going away; neither is the legacy of the ottoman empire. perhaps this is a middle ground worthy of more than ridicule by the western media and scorn by ideological purists on both sides of the world.

[therealtruthteller]

These people are a joke.

[geobushono]

One god, running / overseeing everything.................unbelievable.
I suppose when we stopped worshipping the sun, the idea of one god seemed like a way to still collect the money, and prevent arguments about 'god'..........well, you see how that worked out.

[JScott]

Hmm something seems kinda strange and inconsistent with this-the post opens with him in an auditorium, I thought large gatherings of people were a no no in Saudi Arabia as well as at the end of it when he sez 'He goes to the movies with her.' For one thing there are supposedly no movie theaters in Saudi Arabia, unless this is done elsewhere or they watch them at home on TV under the eye of their relatives etc. Can someone clarify this??????

[xxnounxx]

oh god how ignorant can you get.

[PepsiHooligan]

Do you know anything about Saudi Arabia, or is this just another western liberal pretending to know about the world and condemning those ignorant westerners on his high horse?

I'm in Kuwait, and know a bit about Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is essentially Taliban++.

There's no need for me to go into details about this, I'll let this be a starting point for you to do something new for a change - read. Maybe you'd learn something about the world.

[lunchlady]

Great, just what the world needs, more fundamentalists on TV. I've always broke out in hives when I see a televangelist in the US.

[METAL]

So we should be grateful that he is Slightly Less than a typical Arab Sheik who supports (by non-action) suicide bombers on innocent people, male domination, and the overt distortion of the teachings of the Koran?

Where are all the clerics in all of the arab nations when the koran has been used for foul play??

If they hold all the power, then why would they let the koran become stained by staying largely Silent?

[harriettubman]

Really. Makes one think that the Koran is a guide for all things ev*l.

[metogamekun]

Have you read the Christian bible? Not all peace and love in that either don't you know.

[MajorKong]

I've never read the Koran, but I'm sure that, like the Bible, you can make it say pretty much whatever you want.

[TomTheAlmostUgly]

LOL, the guy has GROUPIES!

[Morhek]

I hope these guys take a look at some of the Christian televangelists, and see exactly what NOT to do - push political agendas, spread homophobia and racism, and other things that people do in the name of religion. Neither Islam nor Christianity support most of their opinions - I hope they stick to preaching a message of peace.

[mommadona]

That would be nice, eh?

[harriettubman]

I agree with that.

[PepsiHooligan]

LOL!

If you think a muslim preacher is going to defend homosexuality in any way you're dreaming, dreaming!

Muslims are way, way more religious than even the religious right in America.

And neither Christianity or Islam advocate peace and tolerance. Fundamentally, both religious divide the world in believers and unbelievers and when you say the others will burn in an eternal fire when they disagree with you, it's sort of hard to build bridges.

[txcowboy77]

It can't be long before these guys show up on rural american tv. Move over, Benny Hinn, there is a new sheriff in town.

[mommadona]

"Elvis has left the building," Mr. Shugairi joked, in English, as he relaxed into his seat. "

OH GREAT.
ANOTHER organized religion goes HOLLYWOOD......

More shills "for gawd"....