My ideal job – talk-show host

As 2014 begins, we all have a wish list. Let me share mine.

After years of watching talk-show hosts and programmes, from the Tonight Show to Anderson Cooper to Fareed Zakaria to Jon Stewart, I believe an international talk show, call it Hard Talk/Soft Listen, is the need of the hour in the Muslim world for global Muslim issues.

Media entities like CNN, BBC, and CNBC have dedicated programs and documentaries on Muslims, the Hajj, Muslim majority nations (Middle East), Islam, etc., yet there is a sense of incompleteness and, at times, bias as seen (or edited) through western eyes. To my knowledge, these programs have not given birth to a dedicated or lasting Muslim oriented talk show about Muslims.

Almost all Muslim countries have local and national talk shows, be it television, radio or internet broadcasting, exploring domestic issues in local languages, all confined to national shores. The programmes –  may be on cooking, drama, sports, and news – are watched on cable channels by, say, the Indian or Pakistani diaspora living in the US or the UK. But, the Muslim assimilation has not taken place on a single media platform.

Countries like Malaysia have attempted to air such shows, but it seems they eventually gravitate towards “teaching and preaching,” which may not provide the best connection to social media savvy and infotainment hungry Generation Y++.  The generation wants to be entertained without a Friday khutbah (sermon), as they already attend Jumma prayers.

Islam and Muslims are not monolithic, as diversity is the beauty of the religion and its followers. There are probably 2 billion Muslims residing in 57 Muslim majority countries and non-Muslim countries, hence, there are millions of issues and challenges that need to be aired and discussed, or at least, create awareness.

Moderating background

To effectively moderate sessions, one must know the subject matter, including learning new materials (sometimes on “the fly”), have effective communication skills and interpersonal skills, read body language, take conversations to uncharted territories, effectively deal with audience Q-n-A, and precisely manage allotted time.

Furthermore, have “one-liners” to ease tense situations, including dead microphones, dancing lights, and “shout out” from audience.

Islamic finance conference organisers, be they in GCC or SE Asia, often ask me to moderate sessions as they believe I have respect from the panellists, prepare well for the session, and ask, in a non-confrontational way, follow up questions. The art of moderating is actually about having conversations with the panellist, by asking a simple but effective questions, and letting them do their thing.

Format

The talk show, Hard Talk/Soft Listen, would be in English with subtitles or dubbed in local languages where it is aired. The subject matter would be cross-border and global, hence, a universal appeal.

Obviously, sponsors will play an important part in the establishment, traction and longevity of the program. But that is a function of the audience.

The audience will be the subject matter. The content will attract the right set of guest(s). The format may be a single guest or a panel of guests depending on the topic.

Subject Matter

The topics would include:

Politics:

-Why are democratic Muslim countries politically monopolised by certain family names?

-Why is the Ruler of Dubai, Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, one of the most loved leaders in the Muslim world?

-Why Muslim countries are deemed among the most corrupt by organisations like Transparency International?

-Are influential Muslims, from politicians to entertainers to billionaires, doing enough for Muslims compared to western NGOs? Is Zakat and Sadaqa enough or it is the bare minimum to help the have-nots?

-If you put four Muslims in a room, why do you get five opinions?

-Where did titles like King, Sultan, Emir, His/Her Majesty/Excellency, Tun, Dato, etc., come from and why, when the most important person in Islamic history was simply called Prophet Mohammad (saw), and was also referred to as Trustworthy, etc.

Riba/Business:

-Interest is prohibited in Islam, but why is the largest economic sector in the Muslim world conventional finance and banking?

-Let’s bring the Islamic Bank CEOs on same platform as multi-million dollar Halal company CEOs and start conversation on convergence

-What are the top 100 Muslim companies in the world, and do they have any special responsibilities to the community?

-Sovereign wealth funds in the Muslim world are for future generations. But why is it that most of their portfolio in conventional investments?

-If Islamic finance is for all, then why not call it a more neutral and substantive description of Participation Finance? Would Muslims opt for Hindu or Jewish finance?

-How come the Muslim world does not have a Muslim Singapore and Hong Kong?

-Why are inventions and innovations not from Muslim countries?

-What is the required in enabling infrastructure to build a “silicon valley” in a Muslim country?

-Do we need a Muslim version of Dragon’s Den or Shark-tank, as we already have Arab or Malaysian Idol?

Education:

-Should schooling be primarily in English, the language of international commerce and financial hubs?

-Is Montessori schooling better than memorization (or parrot learning)?

-To build knowledge-based economies requires more resources for education and less military spending and building commercial towers, correct?

Entertainment:

-How do you build a “Hollywood/Bollywood” in the Muslim world. Emphasis could be on Marvel Comics or the “99” type superheroes?

-We already have Islamic fashion week. Is there need for a Muslim modelling agency?

-Why is the Muslim world great at imitation, alternatives to Coca-Cola (Mecca Cola), Facebook (MillatFacebook or Salamworld), Youtube (Muslimchannels.tv), etc?

-Does everything need to be “Islamisized?”

Extremists:

-Is being an extremist, be it Muslim, Jewish, Christian, etc., a nature, nurture or both?

-Lets speak to mothers of senior Taliban and Al-Qaeda officials?

-What is the business model of the Al-Qaeda?

Healthcare:

-Is obesity and, conversely, poverty-cum-hunger, the Achilles heel of Muslim countries?

-Why do Muslim leaders seek treatment in the best western hospitals overseas, whereas locals are expected to go to the local clinics and public hospitals?

Sports:

-Why Muslim countries do not produce world class athletes?

-There are thousands of Muslim athletes. Is it time for a Muslim owned/operated Sports Management Agency?

Women:

-Let’s have a candid conversation with the alpha Muslim women from business, politics, science, sports, etc.?

-Is the Hijab a garment to cover hair?

-Why are Saudi women allowed to ride a camel, but cannot drive a car?

Conclusion

I hope that all of you will add to the above set issues as we must ask of ourselves, and of our business and political leaders.

The time is getting closer for Hard Talk/Soft Listen to materialise. – January 9, 2014.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.