Hey, Hollywood: You Could Learn From Comics on Islamophobia

The world is about to get a new superhero, courtesy of Marvel Comics, who just happens to be a smart Muslim-American teen girl. Well done, writes Muaaz Khan at the Guardian, who hopes the fictional Kamala Khan proves to be just as much of a role model for young Muslims as the real-life Malala Yousufzai. Once again, the comic-book industry is leading the way on battling an entrenched stereotype, so maybe Hollywood and TV could take a hint?

Islam has replaced communism as the great evil to be fought on screens big and small, writes Khan. "What began in the '90s with movies such as Executive Decision and The Siege has ballooned with television series such as 24 and Homeland." It doesn't have to be this way. Maybe it's "time that other creative industries take a page from the comic book industry and assume responsibility for their role in influencing the subconscious of our society and our perception of others." Click for Khan's full column. (More Marvel Comics stories.)