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Religious leaders push for Muslim alternative to Peppa Pig Religious leader backs drive for cartoons for Muslim children
(1 day later)
Islamic leaders in Australia have backed a campaign to produce an alternative to Peppa Pig set in a "predominantly Muslim town". Muslim audiences should have better alternatives to mainstream cartoons, an Islamic leader in Australia has said.
The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) has encouraged parents to raise funds for TV shows that support Islamic values. Sheik Shady Alsuleiman, the head of the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), suggested parents donate to TV cartoons that support Islamic values.
Barakah Hills, a "halal cartoon series", has been pitched as a Muslim alternative to the UK pre-school show. The producers behind one programme idea, Barakah Hills, suggested it could be an alternative to the hugely successful Peppa Pig cartoon.
Peppa Pig is a popular children's animation shown in 180 countries.Peppa Pig is a popular children's animation shown in 180 countries.
Production company One4Kids, which makes children's shows with Islamic themes, wants to raise A$20,000 (£12,000; $15,000) to begin production on Barakah Hills.Production company One4Kids, which makes children's shows with Islamic themes, wants to raise A$20,000 (£12,000; $15,000) to begin production on Barakah Hills.
"The show's main objective is to show children what it is like to be a practising Muslim as well as a good citizen in their community," the company said in a statement."The show's main objective is to show children what it is like to be a practising Muslim as well as a good citizen in their community," the company said in a statement.
The Sydney-based company produces a range of cartoons which focus on prayer, stories of prophets, Ramadan and learning Arabic. Sheik Shady Alsuleiman said children should not be discouraged from watching mainstream cartoons, but urged parents to "give them another alternative".
ANIC head Sheik Shady Alsuleiman urged people to donate to One4Kids in a video posted on its Facebook page. Sydney-based One4Kids produces a range of cartoons which focus on prayer, stories of prophets, Ramadan and learning Arabic.
"These days, in this modern age, our children have been embedded and very well occupied watching different cartoons on TV and it's our responsibility not to stop them from watching but give them another alternative," he said in the video.
One4Kids producer Subhi Alshaik told the BBC he enjoyed Peppa Pig but that "apparently there are messages in there that turn kids into brats".One4Kids producer Subhi Alshaik told the BBC he enjoyed Peppa Pig but that "apparently there are messages in there that turn kids into brats".
"I'm a fan of Peppa Pig like many people are... Muslim, non-Muslim, pig haters, pig lovers," he said."I'm a fan of Peppa Pig like many people are... Muslim, non-Muslim, pig haters, pig lovers," he said.
"We thought, maybe we should produce an alternative that is about everyday life. Why not have a show that is similar to Peppa Pig?""We thought, maybe we should produce an alternative that is about everyday life. Why not have a show that is similar to Peppa Pig?"
According to government statistics, 2.2% of Australians list their religion as Islam, compared to 61.1% who identify as Christian. According to government statistics, 2.2% of Australians list their religion as Islam, compared with 61.1% who identify as Christian.
Correction 9 December 2016: An earlier version of this story stated mistakenly that Islamic leaders in Australia had pushed for a Muslim alternative to Peppa Pig.