The Muslim family featured in the Ramadan commercial that is expected to air in 16 ZIP codes throughout metro Detroit. Bazzi said they show the diversity that exists within the Muslim community.

DETROIT — Comcast Cable, one of the world’s largest broadcasting companies, is expected to air a 30 second Ramadan commercial throughout the holy month. 

“We will be running the commercial,” Comcast Cable Account Executive Nick Cronovich told The Arab American News.

A representative from Comcast’s spotlight advertising sales division said a spot still has to be reserved for the commercial before it can air. In order for that to happen, the commercial has to meet company guidelines.  

Organizers behind the Ramadan commercial campaign say the goal is to share the beauty of the holy month and show that American Muslims have the same values as other Americans and all of humanity. 

Dearborn Heights resident Wissam Bazzi said the negative depictions of Muslims and Islam in the mainstream media is what pushed him come up with the idea of a Ramadan commercial. 

According to Bazzi, the commercial will air June 15-July 19 in 16 ZIP codes throughout southeast Michigan.

Cronovich confirmed the commercial will air in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. 

“We picked out areas we wanted to target…our hope is that this campaign continues to grow in the years to come and benefits everyone,” he said. 

Bazzi said so far $20,000 has been raised to get the commercial on the air. Both Muslims and non-Muslims have donated to make the effort possible. Donations came from both private donors and several local community organizations.  

“The support and response has been overwhelming,” Bazzi said. “This is the most beautiful unification. I have got calls from all over the world. Once you discuss the idea, people are interested in helping out. Even non-Muslims have contributed and we are talking to a few churches right now.” 

The commercial features a Black Muslim family. Bazzi said the family was purposely chosen to show the diversity that exists in the Muslim community. 

“It helps break away from the stereotype that all Muslims are Arabs,” he said.  

So far enough money has been secured to air the commercial within two airing zones in Michigan.

By next year, organizers would like to spread the commercial to as many cities and states as possible. Their goal is to reach at least 10 more zones in 10 different states. That would provide 500,000 impressions (referring to the number of people or households exposed to a program or commercial at least once) across the nation.

Americans who might not be familiar with Ramadan will view the commercial. 

In order to expand the effort organizers are working with LaunchGood, a crowdfunding platform supporting Muslims who are pursuing creative and entrepreneurial endeavors. 

Donations are now being accepted on LaunchGood.com. 

“In the future, we are going to try to get the commercial aired in as many states as possible,” Bazzi said. 

A group of volunteers from different states is currently spreading awareness on the campaign and asking for support. 

In the past, companies have received backlash for similar efforts aimed at bringing greater understanding towards American Muslims. In 2011, the home improvement retail chain Lowe’s received widespread criticism for pulling its advertisement from TLC’s reality show “All American Muslim” after pressure from a conservative group. 

The show delved inside the everyday lives of typical American Muslims, but received negative backlash because of the growing anti-Arab and Muslim sentiment across the United States. 

TLC eventually canceled “All American Muslim”, citing low ratings. 

Cronovich said Comcast was not hesitant at all about airing the commercial. 

Dearborn resident Suehailia Amen, a former cast member of “All American Muslim”, said other shows on TLC had comparable ratings, but were never canceled. She said the network might have felt pressure to cancel the show because of the negative backlash it received. 

“I don’t believe the ratings had anything to do with it,” she said. 

Amen applauded Comcast Cable for working with the community to help air the commercial. 

“It says a lot about the company and is a true testament to its commitment towards embracing diversity,” she said. 

If the commercial does receive negative backlash upon airing, either in metro Detroit or around the country in the future, Amen urges Muslims to respond with kindness and compassion and to promote better understanding of Muslims. 

“I hope that the non-Muslim community is able to look at these communities with an open mind and an open heart and understand the community that lives around them,” she said. “I hope it leads to opportunities for interfaith dialogue to begin around the state of Michigan.” 

To make a donation and learn more about the Ramadan commercial  campaign, visit www.LaunchGood.com or call Wissam Bazzi 313.717.2326.