Posted on 05/07/2006 10:40:28 AM PDT by Pikamax
Muslim Americans upset over new 9/11-related film By Jonathan Jones, STAFF WRITER
FREMONT — At the United Muslim American symposium in Newark, Muslim-American leaders discussed the rhetoric regarding Iran, the war in Iraq, and the image of the United States in Islamic countries. But some also expressed concern that "United 93," a new film about the last moments of the last hijacked plane to crash on Sept. 11, 2001, could stir up anti-Islamic sentiments.
Safaa Ibrahim, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations, took her staff of four women wearing a hijab, the traditional Muslim head scarves, to a Thursday matinee.
As a civil rights advocate, Ibrahim said, she wanted to see the movie after reports that several young Muslim-American women in Arizona were verbally assaulted by two people who said they had seen the movie recently.
Ibrahim said she knew the movie would stir up emotions, but she did not expect that all of the members in her group would walk out of the theater in tears.
"We thought it was important to see the movie to find out how it comes across," Ibrahim said. "But it dredged up a lot of emotions. We were watching it — as Americans and as Muslims — and it hurts us to see our fellow Americans hurt, and see people hurt others, acting in the name of Islam."
At the April 29 symposium, Suhail Khan, associate director for congressional affairs at the Department of Transportation and a former White House aide under President George W. Bush, recalled his experience working at the White House on Sept. 11, 2001.
Today, Khan said he still remembers that day "moment by moment," adding that the movie touches a raw nerve. He said he had not made up his mind about whether it is too soon to produce such a film.
"Five short years after 9/11, we're seeing a movie produced that purports to relive the horrific moments of 9/11 and Flight 93," Khan said. "I haven't made up my mind about that issue honestly. I do feel, obviously, that it will stir up anti-Muslim sentiments. But, I mean, it's hard to make the situation worse."
Ibrahim said the opening scene of the movie, where hijackers are reading the Quran, "sent chills up my spine."
"It only reinforced my hatred and resentment toward Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida and reminded me of how much they've hurt Muslims and scarred our faith," Ibrahim said. "I have so much anger toward these guys. The movie only reinforced that. I understand why it makes others angry. It doesn't feel good to watch what happened and see innocent families die. It's senseless."
But Ibrahim added that the movie also reinforced how much has changed since the events of Sept. 11.
"On 9/11, I was working at a high-tech firm and I wasn't wearing a hijab," Ibrahim said. "Now I'm wearing a hijab and dedicating myself to preventing people from trying to ruin the name of my faith. That day helped us grow and made us more civic-conscious."
Khan agreed: "My sense is that the opportunity is still there to educate non-Muslims. Just as we had hate crimes after 9/11, we also had an outpouring of brotherhood and friendship with non-Muslims who stood by the Muslim community and stood by their neighbors and friends. ... I think you need to look at the positives and educate friends about the realities of Islam."
"here's a link for them--the "religion of peace"--
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2168496,00.html"
What's needed is a Film SERIES with the footage of the beheadings, embassy bombings, Cole bombing, Pentagon bombings, WTC, and the injured, documenting what more Americans can surely expect to happen to their families if they don't wake up and smell the coffee and fight the terrorists in a way appropriate to the magnitude of the evil.
Federal court with "progressive" judges and lawyers is not the place. God save us from the fascist "progressives."
Well said!
I did. He has a nice little FBI file now. We were both laid off, last I heard, he still doesn't have a job.
That he studied kick boxing in Thailand made it into a war of words.
I wasn't going to play to his strong suit...
I would not be at all intimidated; fighting a war with your feet is for retards.
a really long stick, don't wanna get sand fleas!
It all boils down to the fact that Islam is at war with Israel and the West.....enough mullahs have interpreted the Koran for their own ends....Christ warned us in His Word that many would be deceived.....and many are...perhaps many more than a Billion lost souls.
All will be shocked in eternity to find that there are no 72 Virgins.
They, the vast majority of Muslims, are moderates but they are too scared of the extremeists to speak out.....not that I blame them.
Muslim American? Isn't that an oxymoron?
I did get him fired, and apparently blacklisted (although I hasten to add that there is no such thing as a blacklist. wink wink)
I was only between jobs for three years after that.
It was worth it...
Haven't seen the movie yet, but I'm sure it comes across something like this: Muslim psychos violently kill a bunch of innocent people in the name of Allah...how'd I do?
You got him fired... aight, that's what I'm talkin' about! Good work.
Boooo freakin' hooooo!
Nope. It's propaganda.
no such thing as muslim-american your either muslim or AMERICAN.
Folks don't like the film? Too f'en bad.
I saw one movie this year...ONE.
United 93.
It wasn't a movie...it was a moving, emotional, enraging, and humbling experience.
God bless the heroes of United 93.
The detractors of the film can KMA.
I have no problem with them converting, but the way you worded it sounds like you're forcing them. But what happens if they don't convert? What do you do then?
when are "MUSLIM (americans)" NOT upset by anything which does not abase itself before them and their moon-god?
bttt
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