English Islamic channel soon

Almajd Channel 2, the world's first Islam-based television channel in the English language, is set to launch operations out of Dubai Media City. "Test transmissions start from the first day of Ramadan," said Daud Musa Pidcock, Marketing Director.

"Initial broadcasting will be on Nilesat, which has a footprint in all countries in this region, apart from southern Europe, and we are in discussions for feeds and uplinks to eventually spread our coverage area throughout the Far East, Europe, North America and elsewhere."

The channel aims to become 'the dream of every modern Muslim family that strives to live its life according to the principles of Islam".

Promoted by Saudi Arabia's Al Majd Trading with extensive interests in the hospitality, airport services, retail and general trading industries, and which now has its focus on futuristic industries, the group has set up base here through Almajd Satellite Broadcasting Ltd.

It has as its chairman Fahad A. Al Shimeimri, with Abdulwahed A. Al Obaid as director general, and Sheikh Hajdi as managing director of its local operations.

"We already have Almajd 1, an Arabic language channel that has started test broadcasts, and have bases in Cairo, Jordan, Mecca and, of course, Dubai," said Pidcock.

"Plans are already in the pipeline to set up bases in Malaysia and South Africa as well." The Dubai facility includes a new studio, with investment in equipment alone running into several million dollars, and "is certainly a very serious investment".

While the establishment of a new TV channel is interesting in itself, the proof of a pudding is really in the tasting - and here, Almajd appears to be getting together content programming that will provide food for thought.

"We are still in the infancy, with attendant teething troubles, be we have several interesting programmes lined up for the weeks and months ahead," promised Pidcock.

Leading the field here is former CNN anchor Riz Khan, who will initially present a series on the Haj.

Pidcock himself is a serious monetary reformer and will host The Money File, which promises to make some startling statements, while there will also be in-depth documentaries on such internationally renowned figures as Nelson Mandela and Ahmad Deedat.

"We will not be a news channel, but will offer high calibre material in the form of introspective, informative and serious content – with, of course, a dose of edutainment," explained Pidcock.

Edutainment is the name of the game – but within limits, while providing ample food for thought.
Over the weekend, Pidcock offered a glimpse into the kind of programmes he will host that will offer viewers plenty of matter to chew on.

A lecture he delivered to an invited audience lampooned U.S. Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan as Allan Greedsplan who, in cahoots with the evil machinations of the International Monetary Fund, bankrupts an idyll on a fictitious Salvation Island populated earlier by five hardworking men – only to have the tables turned when the men realise the interest Greedsplan charges on an initial loan, conferred as a favour, is a con.

"We need an alternative monetary system in the world today, that measures the size and wealth of a nation's economy not by its national debt, but by its national dividend," was one message he sent out.

"We cannot have money linked to the gold standard, with the price of gold manipulated by individuals working for their own self-interest; instead, the value of a currency should be linked to a basket of commodities, and to the production of a country," was another.