Michael Jackson: Arab Media vs Western Media

Adam is a regular Gulf News cartoonist. If you would like to comment on the cartoon then please fill in the form below.

Michael Jackson was not just an Icon to American citizens. He was a humanitarian, a social advocate, a representation of the finest of African American culture and the world's best entertainer. People loved him all over the world--even in the Middle East. For those of us who grew up with him, we know how deserving he is of the attention. In fact, we feel that he did not get enough of it in life. Please tell me how many people have ever been able to reach different races, nationalities and cultures like MJ. I think this is the type of person we should be trying to reproduce all over the world...And, let not forget he won the world record for charitable donations by a single pop star. Who do you know that can top that. May God rest his soul.
Yvonne Thompson
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 16:23

who cares about all the problems in the world. michael jackson has nothing to do with wars in the world, poverty in africa, death due to tsunami, and cyclone in burma. he did not claim to be the solution to the world's problems. all he did was to entertain, so that you could be a little more happier, to face this world a bit more braver. all those who talk wars I feel are the joyless people of the world for whom happiness means nothing, even if wars are solved they will find something else to be sad about. as for all the people who judged him, nothing was ever proved. and many people took money from him for this. is there a pattern? is there no parent who has his child's interest and really put Jackson in jail, instead of taking money to drive fancy cars.
John
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 16:22

I agree there were millions of fans remembering him during his funeral he was a great person.And we all will remember him.May God bless him
Mariam Hassan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 15:56

Have people lost their sense of humor? Not everything is about Afghanistan or Iraq. Life goes on...and about MJ, look at it in the perspective of love and passion, why be always negative?
Kazi Mahmood
Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia
Posted: July 08, 2009, 15:51

The Middle east might be facing many problem but let's face it, this was was just so famous especially back in the 70's and 80's and Thriller. He did many good things like feed the poor and raise children. There was no proof of the allegations against him. And he won the Humanitarian award so he deserves to be remembered as a good person regardless of his religion.
Sultan Al Marzoogi
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 15:38

Michael was a Legend. The Greatest Entertainer of the World ever. His talent has no boundries, no limits. Many of his songs spread message of peace
Kamran
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 15:29

The man turn the world of music should have got more coverage. scandals should not over shadow his legacy his contribution to the world and charity is much higher.
Justus
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 14:59

Can't we just respect the man and let him rest in peace?
Arlene
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 14:55

Why do we have to comment on that? and, why do we have to make a big deal of his death? Many people are getting killed in every single minute in Palestine and Iraq. It is silly to be so overwhelmed about MJ natural death!
Maisa
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 13:55

If an Arabian Singer dies, I don't think any of the western media will even put this small piece of news. Not everything American means we have to focus on it.
Rasheed Mahmoud
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 13:37

It's what happens when you touch peoples lives. Unfortunately, From what I see the Arab world has no one who can say that they did the same, so I think thats the reason why they feel bad.
Melvile de Melo
,India
Posted: July 08, 2009, 13:36

MJ was the greatest entertainer the world has ever seen... His popularity and recognition is not hidden from anyone.... Media should forget celebrate the work and life of a man who gave so much in his lifetime, creatively and financially. No accusations against his personal conduct were proved at any point of time. The greater the fame, the larger the number of people wanting to bleed off and exploit such fame..
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 13:33

Absolutely right. Ok M.Jackson very good singer, dancer, I agree.We shouldn't cross the limit by loving him.
Sakir Hussain
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 13:32

All of you negate Michael Jakcson's impact. There are problems taking place in all parts of the world yet his work united people of all colours, nationalities, religion etc. In a time, when many are divided solely due to racism, religious difference and egoistic issues, one must celebrate the life of a man who broke boundaries and treated everyone the same. For Michael, a human being was just that - a human being. And he has spent more than 300 million US dollars on causes all around the world. as for the charges against him, people should not believe this. Firstly, what parent accepts money from the man he accuses of the things he "did"! Further, even in the second case where one child made the allegations, even a jury did not find the child or the mother or MJ' housekeeper to be genuine. He was found not guilty for a reason.
Radhika
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 13:30

Arab media and arab world doesn't have anything to do with MJ while other part of the world have got a lot. I have seen GN was full of Paris Hilton a week before. What was it for? She doesn't worth a penny for the poor and needy. I feel it is wrong to ask this question at first place.
Vinod
Muscat,Oman
Posted: July 08, 2009, 13:21

If you see the positive outcome. Its not how a legends got a farewell. Its a person who've mixed the different races. Hes brought love and care in everyones mind. I loved a quote last night during his memorial speech, where a person said " today everyone comes here to say you goodbye, But i am here to say Thankyou Michael, Thankyou".
Waqas Mushaf
Ras Al Khaimah,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 12:52

The western media is covering Michaels death so much because he was more than an icon for the people growing up in America. His shows used to come on regularly on various t.v. channels and his songs were and are a part of life for people who grew up in America. Where as in this part of the world many people still dont know much about the great entertainer, Michael Jackson. I should know as I grew up in the United States. Really, It's no one's fault, it's only life.
Misba
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 12:46

Well, I disagree with people who write against MJ's cases which were never proved. The other thing is the cartoon is maybe right, but MJ does deserve to be covered in the main news and in a bigger format like we do here in the western media and on the web. I do not reject the fact that people in Afghanistan and Iraq are dying,but one should not also forget the popularity,the fame that this person has got,he was ,is and will be on of a kind! Michael Jackson was not only the greatest singer ever,but also a beautiful person,and hence the US congress awarded him the Humanitarian award during his memorial yesterday.
Kiran Shaheen
Birmingham,UK
Posted: July 08, 2009, 12:26

very true !
Shazia
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 11:15

I agree with the cartoon above and think it's very fair as we have much bigger problems and concerns to worry about in this area of the world especially in these times than to worry about MJ news and death. He was a great singer but other than that we shared very little with him and his life style.
Nasser
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 11:04

Why such question arises first place ?!
A. R. Othman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 08, 2009, 10:08