(LOS ANGELES, CA, 12/4/08) Following an action alert sent out yesterday by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Fox television network reported receiving an overwhelming positive response from community members about a recent episode of “The Simpsons” that challenged anti-Muslim stereotypes.

The episode, which aired Sunday evening and is titled "Mypods and Boomsticks," highlights anti-Muslim sentiment by featuring a young Muslim character named Bashir and his family who face prejudice after moving to Springfield. In the program, Homer Simpson wrongly suspects that Bashir's family is involved in a terror plot. Bart Simpson befriends Bashir and defends him from bullies.

To view the entire episode, please goto:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/46689/the-simpsons-mypods-and-boomsticks#s-p1-so-i0

SEE: Thank Fox for 'Simpsons' Episode Challenging Islamophobia
http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=763&&ArticleID=25610&&name=n&&currPage=1

To view CAIR’s letter to “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening, please goto:
http://cair-california.org/images/stories/thank_you_letter_-_matt_groening.pdf

Because of the number of positive e-mails Fox is receiving, CAIR is asking community members to send notes of appreciation to a new e-mail address that has been set up by the network’s diversity department.

ACTION REQUESTED:
Send future messages expressing appreciation for the episode to:
Peter Liguori, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Co.; Dana Walden, Chairman, Twentieth Century Fox Television; Gary Newman, Chairman, Twentieth Century Fox Television.
E-mail: diversity.quest@fox.com
COPY TO: info@losangeles.cair.com
Fax: (310) 969-0210
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