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The Simpsons convert to Islam

Oct 20, 2005 7:00 am By Robert Spencer

When exported to Muslim lands, various aspects of Western pop culture must be modified in order to accommodate Muslim sensibilities. When Muslims come West, various aspects of Western pop culture must be modified in order to accommodate Muslim sensibilities. Get the picture? “The Simpsons’ Exported to Arabs — Minus Bacon, Beer: Key Aspects of New Middle East Version Get Lost in Translation,” from ABCNews.com, with thanks to all who sent this in:

(Oct. 18) — After 17 seasons of entertaining U.S. audiences, “The Simpsons” can now be seen on Arab television. While U.S. foreign policy is not always a hit overseas, there is a huge audience for American popular culture.

So the Arab satellite network MBC is bringing the cartoon saga of Springfield to the heart of the Arab world. “The Simpsons” has been exported overseas and is now called “Al Shamshoon.”

With Omar instead of Homer, and Badr substituting for Bart, MBC hopes to win coveted young viewers. After all, 60 percent of the Arab world is 20 years old or younger….

But with a show that is so disinctly American, Arab media experts say, it’s not enough to just translate the language.

“Translating the show linguistically, as well as culturally, as well as socially so that it appeals to the audience that’s watching it here, I think there’s a lot of details that one has to pay attention to,” said Nadia Rahman, a professor at the Zayed University Media Center in the United Arab Emirates. “How does the mother dress? How does the sister dress?”

So MBC is making some changes as the characters go from American to Arab. They will remove references to things forbidden by the Koran, such as bacon, beer, and other references that might be construed as offensive.

From American Beer to Arab Soda

Homer Simpson’s ubiquitous Duff beer will now be soda in the Arab version of the show.

Hot dogs will become Egyptian beef sausages, and donuts will become popular Arab cookies called “kahk.” Moe’s Bar has been completely written out of “Al Shamshoon.”

With characters who are Jewish (like Krusty the Clown), Hindu (like Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu) and Christian (like the family’s pastor, Rev. Lovejoy), Al Jean “” “The Simpsons” executive producer “” says those changes mean they aren’t “The Simpsons” anymore.

“If he doesn’t drink and eat bacon and generally act like a pig “” which I guess is also against Islam “” then it’s not Homer,” Jean said.

Some on the Arab street agree. Many bloggers have also expressed discontent.

“It’s different,” one Arab viewer told ABC News. “We are a totally different culture, so you can’t be talking about the same subject and in the same way.”

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