March 26, 2009

The Muslim Public Affairs Council announced today that Academy-Award nominated actress Shohreh Aghdashloo will be honored during the 18th Annual Media Awards on April 25 for her role in a recent episode of the animated sitcom "The Simpsons" featuring a Muslim family.

Executive Producer Al Jean and Co-Executive Producer Marc Wilmore will also be honored for the episode, entitled "Mypods and Boomsticks." In the episode, Bart befriends a Muslim boy named Bashir and his Jordanian parents. Aghdashloo, an Academy Award nominated actress, provides the voice for Bashir's mother. The episode sends a powerful message through humor about the danger of ignorance and prejudice rooted in false assumptions.

Each year, MPAC's Media Awards Gala Dinner honors "voices of courage and conscience" who use art and media to create enriching and humanizing portrayals of Islam and Muslims, promote diversity and social justice issues, and inspire action. The gala dinner, which will take place on Saturday, April 25th, will be held at the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

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The 18th annual Media Awards will also be presented to Fox Searchlight Pictures for the Academy Award winning film "Slumdog Millionaire," and "Democracy Now!" co-founder, executive producer and host Amy Goodman.

MPAC's Media Awards is a production of its Hollywood Bureau, which serves as a resource and ally to television networks, film studios, screenwriters and the creative community at large.