# The new Star Trek Series should have a Muslim character **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 26, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242 "2016-02-26T19:45:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/21 "2016-02-26T21:35:28Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > She didn’t just _operate_ the communications equipment; she was seen rewiring it on the fly, prompting Spock himself to admit that he could think of no one better at the task. Likewise, she took over at the science station or at the helm at need, smacked folks around in hand-to-hand, and was shown fluently speaking multiple languages; near as I can tell, that’s more omnicompetent than the portrayal of various white folks (a) shown serving in Starfleet, whom (b) she outranked. Yeoman, by contrast played the more stereotypical “helpless” female. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/22 "2016-02-26T21:38:49Z")
As mentioned, Trek has been pretty clear that humans have abandoned religion by the 23rd century, so a Muslim character would be out of place. _However_, a character from a currently majority-Muslim area, who displays cultural elements (including religiously derived ones) from their homeland would be good. An Arabic woman who incorporates a headscarf into her uniform, for instance. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/23 "2016-02-26T21:41:02Z")
> [@Kamino\_Neko](#): > > As mentioned, Trek has been pretty clear that humans have abandoned religion by the 23rd century, so a Muslim character would be out of place. > > _However_, a character from a currently majority-Muslim area, who displays cultural elements (including religiously derived ones) from their homeland would be good. An Arabic woman who incorporates a headscarf into her uniform, for instance. If the religion is gone, how long would the headscarf remain as a cultural norm? ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/24 "2016-02-26T21:42:36Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Koenig was born in Chicago. Seriously? I am also aware they didn’t really fly in space. People keep saying there was no Religion on Earth but the shows never out right said that. It was not the focus of any character but it still could have existed. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/25 "2016-02-26T21:44:15Z")
Additionally, aside from Bajorans’ misguided worshiping of aliens, there was one other religion that got respect - [Native American](http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Journey%27s_End_%28episode%29). This kind of treatment of NA always seemed vaguely patronizing to me. Sure, we stole their land, erased their culture, but in movies we give them magical powers, and make theirs the only “correct” religion. Like that makes up for everything else, or something. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/26 "2016-02-26T21:46:37Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Which way is Mecca when you are in orbit around planet Kronos. The prayer mat would have to be on a turntable. Since a Muslim would be travelling if they were orbiting, they’d have no obligation to pray. If they, however, wished to do so they’d pick a direction a stick with it. Also, they’d do a reduced form of the wudu (ritual wash) but not quite the “dry” wudu. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/27 "2016-02-26T21:54:44Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > If the religion is gone, how long would the headscarf remain as a cultural norm? There’s no telling. A headscarf is neither ugly, uncomfortable nor awkward, which means that without religious backing it’s purely a matter of style. And clothing styles can last for a century or just years. Or vanish and come back. Look at hats for example; wearing hats was a standard practice in much of the West for ages; then in a few decades it’s become fairly marginal. But for all we know twenty years from now hats might all be the rage again. Headscarves without religious support could easily follow the same pattern, as a recurring cultural style. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/28 "2016-02-26T21:58:17Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > If the religion is gone, how long would the headscarf remain as a cultural norm? Probably at least as long as use of ‘devil’, ‘hell’, ‘god’ and so forth would remain in the lexicon. Burqas and niqabs would likely decline sharply simply for reasons of practicality, but less extreme forms of hijab - ie, simple headscarves - would likely persist for a long time as purely cultural artifacts. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/29 "2016-02-26T21:58:27Z")
Kirk had some regard for Christianity, although the word itself was never used. In the episose “Bread and Circuses” the planet the Enterprise visits is forming a new religion, sun worship. [Bread and Circuses (Star Trek: The Original Series) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_and_Circuses_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)) After the plot is resolved, in the last scene, Uhura tells the bridge she’s been listening to radio broadcasts about this new faith, and says “They aren’t talking about the sun up in the sky, they’re talking about the Son of God” And Kirk says wouldn’t it be wonderful if they could stick around and “see it all happen again.” ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/30 "2016-02-26T22:41:54Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Additionally, aside from Bajorans’ misguided worshiping of aliens, there was one other religion that got respect - [Native American](http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Journey%27s_End_%28episode%29). > > This kind of treatment of NA always seemed vaguely patronizing to me. Sure, we stole their land, erased their culture, but in movies we give them magical powers, and make theirs the only “correct” religion. Like that makes up for everything else, or something. Thank you, I just came to say we can do without that kind of condescending hogwash. I remember when it was made the writers were quoted as saying “We’re doing an Indian episode!” Oh that’s sweet. When does the “Black episode” air? (Yes yes, that Tasha Yar first season ep…yuk yuk) Even the dialogue was condescending. “Picard what are you going to do about your Indians!!” They’re not colonists. They’re Indians apparently. And then there’s Chakotay…gag me. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/31 "2016-02-26T22:53:32Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > Really, really progressive. Seriously, it really was progressive. We forget how different things were back in the 60s. I remember seeing a black comedian giving a performance, maybe in the 1980s or early 1990s (sadly, I have forgotten who this was) raving about how impressed he was as a kid that they actually had a black character on a sci-fi series set in the future – and an attractive female, to boot! Most sci-fi TV shows and movies of that era had no minority representation whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/32 "2016-02-26T22:56:15Z")
The biggest problem would be with it looking too much like deliberate insertion of one specific token for tokenism’s sake. TOS was assembled from a variety of tokens, sure, but they all had a job to do, and not just “here’s what we believe is the right way to think about issues that affect Blacks/Asians/Scotsmen/etc”. In Trek, when an episode has a point to make about some issue, an appropriate set of one-note aliens will be summoned that can become the embodiment of whatever’s the not too thinly veiled controversy, and the message will be printed in large type and delivered wrapped around a cinderblock through your window. I’m black on the right side and he’s on the left, can’t you see. As has been touched upon, from the start part of the Trek rules have been that our current causes for conflict have been resolved and overcome. You sort of had to headcanon that the diverse Earth types must have developed a sense of common identity _tout suite_ upon realizing they had to deal with various entirely different interstellar species, and that may have included making divisive factors like proselytizing religions lose importance. > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Additionally, aside from Bajorans’ misguided worshiping of aliens, there was one other religion that got respect - [Native American](http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Journey%27s_End_%28episode%29). BTW it was not just the Bajorans, very often we see religions or religion-like constructs depicted as “misguided worshipping of aliens” or something in that direction. And yeah, thirded, everyone else’s religion is superstition or some aliens fooling them but Chakotay, oh, \*he \*has a \*spiritual \*connection. :rolleyes: Trek \*especially after TNG \* does seem committed to a notion that Earth’s major organized religions as we commonly understand them have gone out of fashion entirely, or else it’s become _“something we do not speak about”_. In TOS and TOS-cast movies, meanwhile, they seem to have eroded into cultural referents or traditional gestures – you may pipe out a funeral to Amazing Grace but not as a \*recessional \*per se, rather just because that’s what you play if you have a funeral and pipes – but still there is that awareness of it and it is a part of the background. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/33 "2016-02-26T23:01:31Z")
> [@Kamino\_Neko](#): > > Burqas and niqabs would likely decline sharply simply for reasons of practicality, but less extreme forms of hijab - ie, simple headscarves - would likely persist for a long time as purely cultural artifacts. As do many items of pagan worship and ritual today, such as the “corno” or horn amulets and coral ornaments still worn by many Italian Catholics for “evil eye” protection. Many Muslims and Jews similarly wear “hamsa hand” tokens which are also originally variants of pagan “evil eye” charms. In northern cultures, tooth and horn ornaments in general tend to be descendants of pagan hunting amulets of various kinds. See also Norse and Gaelic symbols such as the triple spiral, shield knot, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/34 "2016-02-26T23:08:50Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > One of the aspects of the original Star trek show that gets forgotten through familiarity was the risks they took with several of the characters. > > They had a black character on the bridge (a black woman no less!) at a time when Civil rights were being fought for in the streets if the south and multiple states had laws on the books that mad interracial dating illegal. But to be honest, racial injustice is a fight we are still fighting so the bravery of this choice is still pretty apparent. > > What is easy to overlook is the choice to put a Russian National on TV in america at the height of the cold war. The Soviet Union was a hated enemy. The US had been on the brink of war with them just few years earlier but Star Trek made a conscious decision to show a world where that enemy was now friend. To me, this seems to be saying more that we should be seeing: 1. A pair of butch lesbians that practice sadomasochism on each other. 2. A poly family unit 3. A doctor whose specialty somehow involves aborted fetuses 4. Someone transgender 5. A furry ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/35 "2016-02-26T23:19:32Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > To me, this seems to be saying more that we should be seeing: > > 1. A pair of butch lesbians that practice sadomasochism on each other. > 2. A poly family unit > 3. A doctor whose specialty somehow involves aborted fetuses > 4. Someone transgender > 5. A furry Exec:“Do they have to be butch? Maybe Ds9 Kira and Mirror Kira hooked up. Would we have to pay her double?” ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/36 "2016-02-26T23:26:32Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > Since a Muslim would be travelling if they were orbiting, they’d have no obligation to pray. If they, however, wished to do so they’d pick a direction a stick with it. Also, they’d do a reduced form of the wudu (ritual wash) but not quite the “dry” wudu. Is a Muslim on a modern warship, say, obligated to pray? The person in question is not between destinations but more or less at home, though home is moving. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/37 "2016-02-26T23:27:13Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > To me, this seems to be saying more that we should be seeing: > > 1. A pair of butch lesbians that practice sadomasochism on each other. > 2. A poly family unit > 3. A doctor whose specialty somehow involves aborted fetuses > 4. Someone transgender > 5. A furry I’m hoping this is a joke. As far as a gay character goes, I didn’t mention it because I am already 100% sure one of the characters will be gay; the only question is whether it will be a man or woman. Another point, it is too depressing for me to assume that the only way we could get world peace is by ditching religion so I always assumed humanity in the 23rd and 24th centuries had religion but it just rarely came up. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/38 "2016-02-26T23:32:30Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > There’s no telling. A headscarf is neither ugly, uncomfortable nor awkward, which means that without religious backing it’s purely a matter of style. And clothing styles can last for a century or just years. Or vanish and come back. Look at hats for example; wearing hats was a standard practice in much of the West for ages; then in a few decades it’s become fairly marginal. But for all we know twenty years from now hats might all be the rage again. > > Headscarves without religious support could easily follow the same pattern, as a recurring cultural style. But the only reason they’d allow non-standard uniforms would be some religious one - and that is gone. It is established that Uhura is from East Africa (her native language is Swahili) and she’d certainly have some cultural dress - but not on the bridge. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/39 "2016-02-26T23:34:19Z")
I’d like to see a self-professed Christian on a “Star Trek” show first. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242/40 "2016-02-26T23:37:53Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > I’d like to see a self-professed Christian on a “Star Trek” show first. See above discussion on the apparent obsolescence of personal religious affiliation in the Star Trek universe, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-star-trek-series-should-have-a-muslim-character/747242.md?page=3)