Samira Atash: click on the image to read more about Samira...How many Muslim musicians, comedians, artists, filmmakers, actors, journalists, photographers, poets, dancers, and community leaders can you name? Probably not many. 9/11, Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban et al made sure that mainstream American media would often portray Muslims as barbaric, backward, oppressive, and violent. The fact of the matter is, Muslims in America have had a much tougher time than others in reaching their dreams to become successful and respected artists. The lifestyle blog television site Beauty and the East is one resource that displays hip, trendy and cool Muslim artists living in America. By utilizing the universal languages of expression and art, Beauty and the East strives to break stereotypes and combats ignorance.

American Muslim Teenager's Handbook: your purchase benefits LCC programmingFor instance, if you were to visit Beauty and the East TV, you would encounter two young Muslim Americans named Yamin and Imran Hafiz. The brother and sister duo are teenagers residing in Arizona who have written a new book, the American Muslim Teenager's Handbook. Being a teenager is awkward and difficult enough, perhaps even more so for American Muslim teens. The book has been reviewed in major publications such as The Guardian, The National, and The New York Times. High schools, colleges, the Girl Scouts, interfaith youth clubs, book clubs, and 1,000 libraries in 39 states are currently carrying at least one copy.

A visit to Beauty and the East would also give you a glimpse into the life of Dr. Massouda Jalal, a fearless woman who ran for president in Afghanistan's first democratic elections in 2004. Dr. Jalal explains what made her run for president and what challenges Afghan women are presented with. She also emphasizes the importance of the upcoming Afghan elections.

The show has also profiled up-and-coming Arab/Muslim comedians like Maysoon Zayid and Aron Kader and explored the opening night screening of the documentary "New Muslim Cool" (see the report here).

The show is the brainchild of host Samira Atash. Atash was born in Afghanistan and came to the United States at the age of 3. She has lived in Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia where she was exposed to all kinds of cultures and ethnicities. Atash has created two fashion labels, Samira Atash and It's A Miracle Contemporary Maternity. Her difficult experiences in pursuing the arts as a first generation Muslim-American inspired her to create Beauty and the East TV. She points out that her blog showcases "an entertaining, cool, and often surprising, side of a culture that is too often associated with fear and oppression. It also encourages dialogue with the West and promotes unity among Muslims."

Tune in at http://www.beautyandtheeast.tv.