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."
Wouldn't you know this drivel would be printed in a Bay area newspaper. Can't we all get along? On the way to their own beheadings, they'll still think everything's going to be okay...if we just admit it's our fault. Get down on our knees and grovel to mad executioners.
I saw a documentary last year and it was claimed that 20,000 were evacuated from the towers before they fell. Have no idea if that number is correct, but obviously the death toll would have been multiplied by some factor if not for the heroics of the fire dept., police dept. and other individuals.
"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."
Better too soon than too late, methinks. yes, it's painful to relive the horror, but it's important we do.
I tend to think the people who think it's "too soon" have an agenda: to keep their head in the sand regarding the issue, to selfishly deflect criticism away from the people who caused the horror (I'm sorry they made Muslims look bad, really...now deal with it.), and those who have a political/personal agenda to make muslims martyrs.
There will never be a "feel good" time to tell this story. The story needs to be told, and often, especially while we're still fighting the monsters who did it. Just like the Holocaust, it will ALWAYS be painful to revisit, but we cannot and must not wait for a "better" time.
What? Actually REMIND people of 9/11??
How DARE you suggest that?
That might help Bush, and justify the war, and we just CANNOT Have that, can we???
IMO, the jumper videos from the WTC should be shown, every hour, of every day, on every network. Even reminding liberals that they exist sends them into a sputtering rage......
"Ibrahim said the opening scene of the movie, where hijackers are reading the Quran, "sent chills up my spine."
Perhaps, Ibrahim you should study your precious Quran a bit more closely this time around because....the highjackers took the TIME to read all the kill the infidels until they submit" parts you conveniently overlooked!
The reality is that Osama Bin Laden, the highjackers and other Islamakazes are the true believers in Islam. All these "Islam is a religion of Peace" fools just don't want to admit to the truth.
---here's a link for them--the "religion of peace"--
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2168496,00.html
Notice how that islama bitch's reaction to 9/11 is to put a Hijab on her head, then wonder why people don't respect her or her crap death cult. Mindless gotbot.
I remember someone saying that if the planes were to have impacted lower towards the ground floors, nearly everyone in those buildings would have been murdered.
Yup, Osama Bin Laden is the Pope of Islam
Any true Muslim American should be expressing their concerns about Moose getting off with a life sentence, not their concern about "Flight 93."
Positives and realities?
Islam hasn't contributed anything positive to civilization.
Reality? People who are Muslims are mentally unbalanced.
Mohammed was a pedophile.
Islam is a death cult.
The only person dumber than a Muslim is a dhimmi who publishes tripe like this article.
Later the news people gave them so much credit for "brilliant" execution of their plan, and BIn Laden acted like it went down exactly as he intended. In fact the entire op was executed on a High School level.
Use the Koran for bedding paper in a hog operation, its more fitting for that piece of excrement.
Good question. I don't recall any rash of anti-Muslim 'hate crimes' right after 9/11. You're right -- the MSM would have covered them ad nauseum for weeks on end, had they occurred in any number at all.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.