Watch: Producer Slams Back after Muslim-American Buddy Sitcom Is Called Out on Twitter

The new CBS sitcom "United States of Al" won't go live until April 1, but it's already in the midst of controversy for the handling of its titular character – an Afghan interpreter, Awalmir (Adhir Kalyan), who comes to America to start a new life. In the States, he renews a friendship with a Marine combat veteran (Parker Young) he served within his homeland.

"'The Big Bang Theory' producer Chuck Lorre's latest – the midseason series 'The United States of Al' – is being criticized for casting a non-Afghan actor in its titular role, and for the character's depiction in general, while one of the show's executive producers has issued a staunch defense," reports the Hollywood Reporter.

Upon the release of the trailer, the show was slammed on Twitter:

Broadway singer-actor Pia Glenn also pointed out that "the fact that Awalmir isn't played by an Afghan actor (Kalyan was born in South Africa to an Indian South African family)," adds THR.

One of the show's executive producers, Reza Aslan, responded to the criticism on Saturday:

He also wrote: "Because it's my show I can make sure that it is written and produced by Afghans and Muslims. That it uses the format to reframe the perception that people have of both. That it portrays a Muslim Afghan protagonist in a true and honest light." He also challenged, "Fun fact: you haven't seen it so can't really comment from a place of knowledge now can you?"