And Here’s Why!
By Ahmad Khodr
Sep/Oct 2024
Muslim children and teens naturally face immense pressure to assimilate into the culture around them. According to a 2016 study “From Islamophobia to Identity Crisis: Internalized Oppression Among American Muslim Children,” by Aaser, S. H. of Noor Kids, 1 in 3 children does not want to tell others they are Muslim. So, what price are you willing to pay to keep yours on the straight path with a strong Muslim identity?
MuslimKids.TV
The team at MuslimKids.TV, one of the first Muslim video streaming services, says that its members are willing to go the extra mile to keep their children on the right path.
Within the media realm, $1 million is almost an intangible amount. For example, “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” had a budget of over $40 million, Typical movie budgets often exceed $100 million.
For MuslimKids.TV, $1 million is a significant start and a blessing to launch “Time Hoppers: The Silk Road,” the company’s first 3D animated cartoon. The series will launch on the MuslimKids.TV streaming service in Fall 2024, followed by a feature film adaptation (available in 2025).
What is uniquely Canadian is that much of the funding has come through Canadian production industry incentives. “The biggest challenge for media professionals developing Muslim content is the funding,” said Michael Milo, a revert to Islam and the CEO of MuslimKids.TV. “Being a media company in Canada means that a significant part of our budget can come from government and private production incentives lessening the burden for the community to financially support the full budget of a project.”
These incentives are often unavailable to media producers in the U.S. and elsewhere. Canada recognizes that showcasing voices from every background is something uniquely Canadian.
The Storyline
Anyone who has been around Muslim media over the past decade knows that quality is always a concern and that many parents cringe when we hear “Muslim cartoon,” given that quality never seems to match mainstream cartoons. “Time Hoppers” hopes to break this stereotype.
The preliminary materials look amazing, and the project brings together a cast of some of the most well-known Muslim scholars and influencers: world-renowned scholar Dalia Mogahed, Hollywood actor Omar Regan, YouTube star Ali Ardekani (Baba Ali) and world-renowned teacher Sheikh Kamal El Mekki.
Time Hoppers is the story of four gifted children from Vancouver’s Aqli Academy in the year 2050. When Abdullah, Aysha, Khalid and Layla stumble upon the ability to time travel, they are thrust into an adventure along the Silk Road during the Golden Age of Islam — traditionally dated from the 8th century to the 13th century. They must save the great scientists of that era from an evil time traveling alchemist named Fasid.
“It was incredibly important to ensure that the project is directed to children,” said writer and director Flordeliza Dayrit, also a revert. “Muslim children’s media often misses this mark, and [thus] kids aren’t engaged.”
“Time Hoppers” is shaping up to be a hit with both parents and kids. Parents will love the educational and cultural value as our heroes not only explore the Islamic Golden Age, which laid the foundation for many modern scientific and cultural achievements, but they also embody Islam’s values and ethics.
Each episode is rooted in historical accuracy, which is led by two researchers — Munir Shaikh (vice president, Bayan Islamic Graduate School) and Hassam Munir (research fellow, Yaqeen Institute).
Kids will also love the immersive historical worlds and cast of eccentric Muslim scholars and scientists. As Director Dayrit explains, “The project is historical fiction where we tried to bring to life these amazing role models for kids. So, we took some artistic liberties to make the characters as lovable and memorable for children as possible.”
From al-Khwarizmi, the father of algebra, to Fatima al-Fihri, who founded the world’s first university, these personalities are all woven into the narrative. They beautifully celebrate our own role models on the big screen!
The protagonists were also crafted to provide characters they can relate to as heroes. Aysha, the group’s martial artist, is the embodiment of “girl power” who breaks the docile Muslim girl stereotype. Layla, the introspective one, is on a hero’s journey to overcome her shyness and face the challenges of defeating the evil Fasid. Khalid, the “khalulator,” is the group’s brainiac and Abdullah, the street smart one, keeps the humor alive.
The series’ importance extends beyond its educational content. Its ultimate purpose is to instill a sense of pride in Muslim heritage, challenging the mainstream media’s countless stereotypes and providing a platform on which young Muslims can see themselves reflected in positive, influential roles.
“Getting ‘Time Hoppers’ produced is just half the battle,” states Milo. “Distribution and getting the project in front of audiences is the next major challenge. We believe the show will be loved by all children, not just Muslims. We will see if we can overcome the bias in mainstream media that wants to silence Muslim voices, making distribution that much more difficult.”
Telling Our Own Stories
Fortunately, “Time Hoppers” on MuslimKids.TV, works just like Netflix. You pay a monthly access fee, available on smart TVs, mobile apps and the web. MuslimKids.TV is likely one of the community’s most well-kept secrets. The streaming service, which has been around since 2016, boasts over 8,000 videos and is a “must-see” for every Muslim parent.
The team behind “Time Hoppers” is also planning a unique way for kids to watch the series with screening events in movie theaters across North America and the U.K., starting during Fall 2024.
“We know families love the movie theater experience but dread the surprises that show up in children’s movies today,” stated Dayrit. “We want to give parents peace of mind when they take their kids to the movies.”
The “Time Hoppers” team is actively looking for a lead sponsor for the screening tour and hopes to connect with masjids and schools at the grassroots level to hold screening events nationwide.
As the past months have so vividly demonstrated, Muslims must take control of their own voices in the media. Organizations like MuslimKids.TV are the first step toward media independence.
Here are some suggestions to help promote this great media initiative.
• Subscribe to Muslim Kids TV. The collective power of a modest $10 monthly subscription results in a major Muslim media initiative. We hardly think twice about dropping $10 for fancy coffee.
• Launch screening events. Be an advocate, take the initiative and bring this experience to your community. Your kids will love it and thank you!
• Download for FREE . Time Hoppers is also accompanied by an interactive game (RPG), now available to download via web (STEAM), iOS and Android. Download it today.
• Share this project. Amplify “Time Hopper” by visiting time-hoppers.com and engaging with @muslimkids.TV on social media platforms
Ahmad Khodr (BA ’18, McMaster University) is the marketing lead at Muslim Kids TV.
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