Verizon, the national cable television operator, has decided to drop Bridges TV, a pioneering television network that seeks to challenge stereotypes of Muslims and create understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Verizon is the main distributor for Bridges TV, which was launched in 2004 and relies on Verizon to reach 19 of its 26 markets, including Los Angeles, metro New York, Dallas and Washington, D.C.
“It will make it very difficult for us to be able to stay on the air for much longer,” said Hunaid Baliwala, general manager of Bridges TV, which is headquartered outside Buffalo in Orchard Park, N.Y., and is also available online.
On Thursday (Feb. 23), Bridges TV started sending emails to supporters asking them to tell Verizon to keep Bridges on the air.
The network was founded by Buffalo investment banker Muzzammil Hassan at the urging of his wife Aasiya Zubair. Last year, Hassan was convicted of murdering and beheading his wife in 2009, six days after she had filed for divorce.
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One Response
So, is Bridges trying to fight the image of Muslims as wife-beheaders?