Towelhead

Muslim group’s outrage over Warner Bros’  »Towelhead » movie titleWashington, Aug 26 : An Islamic civil rights advocacy group has urged Warner Bros. to change the title of their new movie ‘Towelhead’ because the word is « offensive and exploitative ».

Los Angeles members of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) insist the derogatory term is offensive to American Muslims and Arab-Americans.

They go so far as to state the term  »towelhead » as « a racial and religious slur ».

In a letter sent to studio executives, the Islamic civil rights and advocacy group has asked that the film, directed by Alan Ball, be called Nothing is Private – a title previously used in some markets, reports Showbiz Spy.

CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush writes, « The word is commonly used in a derogatory manner against people of the Muslim faith or Arab origin… We have no desire to inhibit the creative process or your right to produce any film you wish. However, I ask you to take the above concerns into consideration and examine the social implications of releasing the film under its current title.

« It is unfortunate that a major film studio would choose to exploit an ethnic slur as a sensational promotion for a movie. Mainstreaming a bigoted term in this manner will only serve to legitimize and normalize anti-Muslim prejudice in our society. »

The film, starring Aaron Eckhart, Summer Bishil and Toni Collette, is adapted from Alicia Erian »s novel about a young Arab-American girl »s struggles with life and sexual obsession.

The heroine of Erian »s story is dubbed  »Towelhead » by some ignorant and bigoted Americans. (ANI)