On Faith panelist and Sufi rock star Salman Ahmad sings the theme song for the new CW TV comedy "Aliens in America." The song, "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding," was written by Nick Lowe. Salman sings the version for the show with P.J. Olsson.
Listen to a bit of the song or Watch the video.
Here's a brief interview with Salman about the show and the song:
Q: What's so funny about peace, love and understanding?
SALMAN: Nothing at all. In fact nothing else is real except PEACE,LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING!
Q: What made you want to get involved with "Aliens in America"?
SALMAN: "My three boys go to school in Rockland County, N.Y. and everyday they face a new challenge in how to define being American and Muslim. My son Sherjan saw the promo for "Aliens" and when I told him that CBS had asked me to sing the theme song for the show he simply said: "Dad, you gotta sing this song for peace, so that Americans understand that Muslims are people too."
Q: Like the main character Raja, you were born in Pakistan. How did you feel watching the show?
SALMAN: I could easily empathize with Raja's character because I went through the same very awkward phase in high school of being an uncool, earnest and straight Pakistani kid, though I never had to face terrorist taunts like American Muslims today. But all that changed the day I discovered my passion for the guitar. Once I strapped on a Les Paul, boy did the doors of "Cool" open up!
Q: What do you hope the audience takes away from the show?
SALMAN: Humor has a way of humanizing the other and helping us understand our own fears. Both the Muslim community as well as mainstream America will see a funny mirror being held up in Aliens and it's difficult to hate somebody once they make you laugh.
Q: Do Muslims you know feel like "aliens" in America? Do you ever feel that way?
SALMAN: American Muslims after 9/11 and the war in Iraq have had to face being aliens in their own country, but I believe that this is just a temporary aberration. With good, honest leadership, Americans can overcome their fears and help show the world some real peace, love and understanding -- and there's nothing funny about that!
