bbalegere
03-22-2006, 03:44 AM
The news that Osama bin Laden's niece is to star in a US reality TV show has provoked fury from families of some of those killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks. The as yet unnamed series, being offered at auction to US television networks, will follow the California-born Wafah Dufour as she follows her “dream to make it in the music business”, according to Regan Media, which is producing it.
Ms Dufour, 27, a graduate of Columbia University law school, was born Wafah bin Ladin, the daughter of Carmen bin Ladin, former wife of the al-Qaida leader's half-brother Yeslam. “I understand that when people hear my last name, they have preconceived notions,” Ms Dufour said. “But I was born in America and I love my country.”
She has never met her uncle, she said, but Regan Media made no effort to deny that she owes her fame to the connection. “
“She is a musician, a young woman, and, most important, a human being,” said the company's founder, Judith Regan. ”
A spokeswoman for the September 11th Families Association called the show “an absolute disgrace ... we urge every TV network to think again.”
Check the attachment for the picture.
From Oliver Burkeman The Guardian New York:
Ms Dufour, 27, a graduate of Columbia University law school, was born Wafah bin Ladin, the daughter of Carmen bin Ladin, former wife of the al-Qaida leader's half-brother Yeslam. “I understand that when people hear my last name, they have preconceived notions,” Ms Dufour said. “But I was born in America and I love my country.”
She has never met her uncle, she said, but Regan Media made no effort to deny that she owes her fame to the connection. “
“She is a musician, a young woman, and, most important, a human being,” said the company's founder, Judith Regan. ”
A spokeswoman for the September 11th Families Association called the show “an absolute disgrace ... we urge every TV network to think again.”
Check the attachment for the picture.
From Oliver Burkeman The Guardian New York: