On April 30, 2010, the independent Egyptian daily Al-Misriyyoun reported that the Cairobranch of the U.S.Agency for International Development (USAID) intends to produce three TV programs for children aged 4-7, ostensibly aimed at expanding their horizons and acquainting them with other cultures.
The daily warned that the programs, modeled on the American „Sesame Street,” are part of a Jewish and American plot to undermine the children’s Arab and Islamic identity, and to brainwash them into loving the U.S.and Israel.
Following are excerpts from the article:[1]
„A report issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development [USAID] in Cairo revealed that [this agency] intends to broadcast TV programs for children aged 4–7 years, in order to expand the horizons of Egyptian children and introduce them to the culture of the other.
„The intention is to broadcast three programs, with a budget of 300 million dollars. The programs will use a format adapted from that of the famous American [children’s] show 'Sesame World,’[2] which is funded by USAID, the E.U., the Ford Foundation, and Joseph Family Funds.
„There are concerns that this program might be part of what has been described as an American Jewish plan to blur Arab and Islamic identity by raising a new generation of Arabs and Muslims taught to love the United States and Israel. This is done by emphasizing the positive image of the American lifestyle while [encouraging the children] to relinquish their Arab Islamic identity.
„Dr. 'Ali Ramadan, a lecturer in communications, says that Israelrealized the considerable importance of the media [as a tool for] brainwashing the nations. Accordingly, it started to play games with Egyptand the Arab world, by disseminating children’s programs in which it spreads poisoned honey. [The programs are made] in a way that gives us, as viewers, the impression that they offer something positive to the children, when in fact the opposite is true.
„[Dr. Ramadan] added that there is a global media company funded by Americans and Jews, which was established in 1968, and which aims, by means of its programs, to bring about significant changes in the lives of children throughout the world. He pointed out that… in 1998… the [Egyptian] Education Ministry and USAID signed an agreement to fund and produce a program called 'Alam Simsim,’ (’Sesame World’), [versions of which] are aired in more than 120 countries worldwide. He also mentioned that some episodes of this program clearly aim to remove the children’s hatred towards Israel, encourage them to respect it, and present the Israelis as our brothers and neighbors.
„[Dr. Ramadan stated further] that the famous program 'Alam Simsim,’ and the new programs that are to begin airing in the summer of 2011, have a condition, [namely] that they must not include religious slogans. This, in order to put the idea of secularism into the minds of children and teens.”
[1] “Al-Misriyyoun” (Egipt), 30 kwietnia 2010.
[2] „Sesame World” is the Egyptian version of „Sesame Street,” co-produced by the Egyptian company Karma Production and the American Sesame Workshop. The show, which has been airing for over ten years, is one of several joint projects of its kind funded by USAID around the world, including in Russiaand South Africa.
