Muslim leaders are outraged and are requesting that Warner Bros. change the name of their new movie Towelhead because the word is considered “offensive and exploitative,” according to WENN via IMDB.

Los Angeles members of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) describe the term as derogatory and viewed as “a racial and religious slur” against American Muslims and Arab-Americans. The advocacy group has urged studio bosses use the title, Nothing is Private, which is what the movie is being called at the Toronto Film Festival.

In a statement, Cair-la Executive Director Hussam Ayloush explains:

“The word is commonly used in a derogatory manner against people of the Muslim faith or Arab origin… We have no desire to inhibit the creative process or your right to produce any film you wish. However, I ask you to take the above concerns into consideration and examine the social implications of releasing the film under its current title. It is unfortunate that a major film studio would choose to exploit an ethnic slur as a sensational promotion for a movie. Mainstreaming a bigoted term in this manner will only serve to legitimize and normalize anti-Muslim prejudice in our society.”

The controversial movie is adapted from Alicia Erian’s novel about a young Arab girl named Jasira, played by Summer Bishil, who struggles with her father’s lifestyle and against her racist classmates and sexual obsession with her neighbor: a bigoted army reservist, played by Aaron Eckhart.

It sounds like a really thought-provoking movie, however, I agree that the film’s title is offensive and should be changed. Keeping the title can further legitimize the use of the term in the minds of many.

Source, Top Photo Source, Bottom Photo Source: WENN