: Must “She” TV: Arab Women’s Satellite Channel Unveils Itself

With a roster that includes celebrity hosts, cooking and fashion shows, and debate forums that tackle topics in Islamic law and women’s issues, a new Arab women’s sattelite channel, Heya (“She”) TV is launching from its Lebanon headquarters, targeting the Arab women who make up 60-70% of TV viewers in the Arab world. The channel has 50 staffers, studios in Beirut and Dubai, and correspondents from North Africa to Palestine. “We want to be controversial,” explains Heya TV founder Nicolas Abou-Samah. “We will discuss the difficult issues that face many women in the Middle East, as well as Muslim countries like Pakistan and Malaysia.” Shows will include “Too Daring”, which features women who challenge traditional gender roles, as well as an “Oprah”-like show that covers subjects like HIV/AIDS, honor crimes, and domestic violence. “I’m excited,” says Heya TV producer Leila Bazzi-Jarrouje. “We are going to push buttons.”

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.  He is based in London, England.