Whether you’re Muslim or not, it’s no secret that the media is full of what can most simply be described as “bad news”. From plane crashes to oil spills to terrorism to Jersey Shore, “bad news” has always been at the forefront of prominent news organizations. Luckily, someone decided she’d had enough.
Last year, Sumaiya Malik launched the Good News Gazette, a Web media outlet that surfaces only positive stories making headlines across the world, appropriatedly subtitled “News at the Speed of Nice.”
So is Sumaiya the Web’s Queen of Nice? My vote is yes. We all could use a new one, especially since the old Queen of Nice, Rosie O’Donnell, has at times fallen into the “bad news” category herself. But I digress – here are Sumaiyah’s own words on her project and goals. Judge for yourself! (But just be nice).
1. We want to know right off the bat. How do you stay so positive?
It’s really looking for the positive that’s out there. I’ve always innately been a positive person. For a while I stopped watching the news, because it was bringing me down. But then I started seeing the stories that really inspired me – this became the inspiration for me to start the site, a clearinghouse for positive news
One story in particular was in the Fall of 2008, about Brendan Foster, a terminally ill little boy. Brendan was on his way to a doctors appointment one day when he saw some homeless people, and made it his wish to get them food. People in community heard about him and also started making sack lunches for them. Word spread all over the country, and people who knew nothing about him, started doing the same thing. This dying 11 year old boy’s wish to see change and communities rallying around that wish to make it happen touched me on so many levels. The selflessness of that little boy and also the people who were so moved by his wish that they were moved to action. I read the story that day and thought “wouldn’t it be nice to have a website that consolidated all those stories.”
2. How did your friends/family react when you told them you were starting this endeavor?
Everyone was really excited. They said, “Wow that’s such a great idea.” So many people also told me that they had a similar idea themselves and never done anything about it, so it made me feel that I was on the right track.
3. With the latest news of the Times Square bomber dominating headlines, this hasn’t been the greatest news month for Muslims. We really need some good news. What articles should we read on your site to cheer us up?
There was one story last week, a video from CNN, talking about a reality TV show that was based in Egypt. The guy who produced it is not a traditional reality show, like Survivor or Big Brother, where people are actively trying to get the other people out. It’s all about coming together as a team to do good in the world. I was so inspired by this, and I loved the focus of it was encouraging teams to come together to do good in their communities. They were doing things like helping people who were out of work get ready for job interviews. What struck me was how similar that situation is with what people are experiencing here in the US and I loved that it was originating in a Muslim country.
4. For such a positive endeavor, do you ever get any negative feedback? Does anybody not want good news?
Actually no! I’m guessing because there are so many other outlets for if you want to focus on traditional news, this is just another site that people can choose or not choose. Everyone’s always been really excited about the content, just knowing that there are good stories.
5. Right now Good News collects inspiring news stories from around the world. Do you think you’ll ever move towards finding and reporting on the stories yourself?
Absolutely, at some point. I have written a few original stories that have been relatively limited. I would love to see more original content on the site as it grows.
6. What was your dream career as a child?
I had so many different dream careers! Even as a kid I always wanted to do something to inspire people to be positive. In high school, my best friend and I had a saying, “Be Glad” – always focus on the good. If I ever thought that would come back around years in the future, I don’t think I would have guessed it!
7. What’s your future vision for Good News Gazette? What are your personal plans for the future?
I’m really working to help it find its audience and get the word out. I would love to start doing more original content and I have a few story ideas that I’m working through. I want to spread the word about positivity out there. There are so many other websites that are dedicated to positive news, and helping people know that they have a choice.
8. What would you say to young Muslims who want to see a more positive image of themselves in the media?
I’ve been there. I know that ultimately it’s a choice I make in my own mind, whether I’m going to be a victim or not. I would encourage them to know that there is always something positive that they can make out of any situation. The best way to counteract negative stereotypes, is to create a positive stereotype that people can look to, and be a voice for the voiceless.
My favorite quote from Emerson is: “Just the fact that I am here certainly shows me that the soul had need of an organ here. Shall I not assume the post?” There is no one who will ever be created that is not identical to another person. In that uniqueness there is power – figure out what is unique about you, what your unique contribution to the world is, and then live it.
9. Media aside, what do you think are the biggest challenges facing Muslim youth and/or Muslim communities in America today?
Finding balance of retaining the original culture and assimilating. There is a fine line. I think everybody’s families came here came wanting a better life, wanting the freedom that is unlike what you can experience anywhere else in the world. My dad’s almost-mantra is “this is the best country in the world”. One of the things that makes it so wonderful is the freedom that we are provided in the constitution, freedom of speech, expression, religion. The extent to which we wish to be on the receiving end of the freedoms, we need to recognize those freedoms for others, even to the point to where people are denigrating Islam.
I never watch South Park and I happened to be channel surfing and caught [its recent controversial episode]. I was laughing and thought what a clever way for creators to find that balance, by not having the Prophet’s face shown, and overcome the seriousness of it all. The idea of controversy never even crossed my mind. I would encourage people that not everything has to be serious, or taken so personally. I don’t think God put us on this Earth to be serious or somber and looking for excuses to be victimized. I guess my message is to lighten up and have fun. If you have lenses that view the world as attacking and doing something against you, that’s what’s going to show up.
10. Who or what inspires you?
This is going to sound cliche but, my parents. Actually, my whole family. My mom and my sister have helped found the Muslim Women’s Fund. They’re so focused on how to uplift the lives of Muslim women, and using that as vehicle to uplift the lives of Muslims everywhere. They recognize the impact that mothers and women family members have on their families and communities at large. I am in awe of their dedication of starting something from scratch and really actively working to raise money, promote these causes. And then just my father for the person he is. I’m totally totally biased, but he’s such a good man, in the best possible sense of the word.
12. Answer quickly – I’ll read a recent news headline, and you tell me whether it’s “good news” for Muslims – why or why not:
a. Simon Cowell might be converting to Islam to marry his fiance
(Laughs) I don’t see how that’s relevant to Muslims! That’s a personal choice, for him. If he becomes part of the Ummah, great, if he doesn’t, great. He’s still going to be the guy on Idol telling people what they don’t want to hear, and he’s going to do that whether he’s Muslim or not. So, irrelevant.
b. An iPhone app was developed to help you figure out whether your food is halal or not
Sure! Great! That’s awesome! I saw a story on NPR yesterday, I think in Kazakhstan, scientists have developed some kind of test for if there is pork in food. I think that’s good news…why not?
c. Sex and the City 2 takes place largely in Abu Dhabi
(Laughs) Bad news – that won’t be nearly as entertaining. People will be going to jail for things!
Contact the author:
Email: fhamid@elanthemag.com
Twitter: twitter.com/FarrahEditor
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