Reality series takes young Arabs on American road trip

Earlier this month, a sitcom about a Muslim community, Little Mosque on the Prairie, debuted in Canada. It aims to eliminate stereotypes that Canadians may have about Muslims. Now, a 12-part reality series filmed in the United States aims to erase misperceptions that Arabs may have about Americans.

Called On the Road in America, the series features three students (from Egypt, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia) and their Palestinian translator. They crisscross the United States from Washington (where they sing with a gospel choir), to New York (which includes a visit to Ground Zero), to Montana (where they hike with cowgirls), and to Mississippi (to get a look at poverty).

The series is the creation of the nonprofit group Layalina Productions, which has on its board of counselors a number of big names: George H.W. Bush, Henry Kissinger, Brent Scowcroft, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Lawrence Eagleburger, James Baker, Lee Hamilton, Sam Nunn, and George Shultz.

Currently, the show can only be viewed in the Middle East, but you can check out a preview at the Web site of Layalina Productions.