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By: Nazish Hamedani The Real World, launched in 1992, is MTV’s longest running reality show yet. It shows the lives of young adults trying to enjoy their youth and face the many “Real World,” problems that come along their way, like who’s hooking up with who, who drank too much the night before, pranks they play on each other, and finally the dramatic romances. This season is taking place in New Orleans with the typical cast of four guys and four girls.  Just like any female pop group is assembled, the formula usually is a: sporty spice, posh spice, baby spice, scary spice, and a Muslim spice… wait, what? Sahar Dika, signed up to be on The Real World cast, perhaps not realizing she could be representing young Muslims to the MTV audience.  Born in Dearborn, MI, and Lebanese by decent, Sahar was raised in a conservative Arab Community.  She has her own lifestyle and fitting the mold of a traditionally demure Muslim girl wouldn’t exactly be true in her case.  In an interview, Sahar explains her activities (I think), “My family isn’t conservative at all; it’s my community that’s conservative.  My family is Muslim and Lebanese, but they’re actually open-minded.  That’s why I had the freedom to do the things I wanted to do and try out for the show.” It’s tough to say if she’s referring to her judgmental community or her opinion of women in Islam… either way, that statement seems all wrong. As a young Muslim watching the show, I begin to think: should Sahar be applauded for her honesty in terms of her lifestyle?  Many young Muslims are now living double lives because of having to hide what they truly are like from their parents and communities. The fact that Sahar does not hide what she is doing allows a certain amount of respect to be given because what’s worse is a hypocrite.  Sahar has stated that she has an open relationship with both her parents, and hats off to those parents who can keep such an honest connection with their kids, especially in today’s society.  It’s unfortunately a type of relationship that lacks in many households. With the help of The Real World, the show has opened up a new door for young Muslims by presenting some of the obstacles they face today - such as Sahar’s case in having to hide who she really was from her community. Source http://www.elanthemag.com/index.php/site/blog_detail/sahars_debut_on_mtvs_the_real_world-nid447126771/