Iraqi TV fights ISIS with satirical sitcom

The threat of living under ISIS rule is all too real for people in Baghdad. But the cast of a popular Iraqi television program is using humour to dispel some of the fears.

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The show, roughly translated as 'The Mythical State' or 'The Superstitious State', aired in September on government-owned television station Al-Iraqiyya TV.

The 30-part series portrays an Iraqi town struggling with the absurdity of life under ISIS. When a man is caught with ice - banned because it's the work of infidels - he tries, unsuccessfully to convince the police it's not ice, it's just dry water. 

The Mythical State has been a hit in Baghdad, but not everyone finds it funny.

In the opening scene, a cowboy (representing the United States) introduces Satan to a Jewish woman with a Star of David on her neck (representing Israel). Their spawn, hatched from an egg, becomes the leader of ISIS Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Another woman, resembling the wife of the former Amir of Qatar, is also present.
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It reflects a widely held perception here that the US, Israel and Qatar are behind ISIS, a perception director Ali Al-Qasim is convinced is true.

"It's clear", Al-Qasim told CNN, "the Americans, with support from Qatar, brought Satan and Israel together to give birth to ISIS, to raise it, to allow it to exploit weaknesses and hurt people."

The Iraqi government has since instructed Al-Qasim to drop references to the US and Qatar.

Taha Alwan plays the town's Imam, and sees the show as an important response to ISIS. 

"They, in word and deed are bloodthirsty", he told CNN. "Their only message is one of blood, killing people, killing the innocent."

One of Alwan's sons has been killed in Iraq, another in Syria.

"It's a dangerous and difficult role, and a lot of actors turned it down," said the actor playing Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who didn't want to be named.

"We wanted to show the reality of this group. It's trying to fool people into thinking they represent true Islam, but they don't. Islam is a religion of mercy, tolerance, love and brotherhood."

It may seem like a laughing matter but this program is deadly serious. Many of the actors have received threats against their lives.

Wisam Abdel Wahed plays the town policeman.

"I got threats over email from people who said how dare you make fun of the Islamic State" he said.

Sulaf Jalil plays multiple roles, including a news anchor who must read the news with her face covered.

"They're happy", she said. "At checkpoints, in the street, they tell me bravo! They ask me if iIm afraid and I tell them no, I'm not."

But it's not just Iraqi TV relying on satire to fight against ISIS. In Lebanon, Ktir Salbe, a 'Saturday Night Live'- style show has also mocked the militant group. 

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Source: CNN



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