Muslims Under "Siege"

 

(35) Muslims Under "Siege"

12-2-98

by Fazeel Azeez Chauhan

Driving around town, billboards of the new movie "Siege" are very disturbing. Specially the line "After November 6, Freedom is history"......(For Muslims??). On November 4, the well publicized movie "Siege" had an opening premiere in Los Angeles. Ironically, the showing was at GCC's Avco Cinema which is right next door to the Pakistani Consulate's office. Lucky for the Muslims that we have an organization such as CAIR to combat the racism propagated against Islam by such movies. It was really wonderful to witness over 200 college students, enthusiastically taking part in the peaceful demonstration.

Mr. Hossam and others from the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) coordinated with Southern California Muslims to hold an educational campaign. Every year, Hollywood produces at least one film or TV movie which addresses the Jewish holocaust. Millions of other people have also been killed in this decade in Africa. For example in Rwanda by warfare or the rest of Africa due to famine. But the powerhouses of Warner Brothers or Fox can't find any creative or caring people to make a single movie about those victims. And as usual, producers keep churning out anti-Muslim movies. For at least two hundred years, European Colonists have proclaimed that the colonized people are dirty, evil and in need of saving. Movies which promote stereotypes and misinformation against Muslims are just a continuation of that philosophy. Is it insecurity that makes a person develop a superiority complex? People who feel good at the expense of hurting others experience only temporary happiness.

The Muslim community responded to stereotypes promoted by the 20th Century Fox movie "The Siege". CAIR and local Muslim Student Associations organized Muslims at the first world-wide public screening of the film. Over 200 people participated in the demonstration, about 90% of whom were college students. Even high school students were holding signs and passing out leaflets about Islam for the viewers. Several news media were present to cover the event, including Channel 5 and 9. The Muslims did not engage aggressively with the viewers. Leaflets were offered and if someone didn't want one, then Muslims did not pressure the person. The idea was to show people the calm side of Muslims. Demonstrators also organized a plan for additional leafleting at other theaters for Friday, at the public release of the movie.

The flyers addressed three common stereotypes about Muslims being terrorists. It invited people to visit a Mosque to learn the truth about Islam. Also explained were topics such as 5 pillars of the straight path of Islam, the sacred Quran, peaceful Muslims in America, the honorable role of women, misconceptions about Jihad and effects of the stereotypes against Muslims and Arabs. One viewer said "You guys don't look like terrorists, I'm not going to watch this movie" and went back home.

Any Muslim over the age of 25 has a lot to learn from the younger Muslims, as well as from African American Muslims. These are the people who have a lot of passion about their beliefs. Many are like born-again Muslims who follow the teachings by choice, not simply because they were privileged to be born into a Muslim family. There were less than 20 people at the event who were over 25 years old. The older people were mostly African Americans. The passionate response of the young Muslims and specially the equal participation by women was incredibly empowering. People in cars driving down Wilshire Blvd. in Westwood, during the 6pm rush hour traffic, definitely noticed the signs that read "Freedom of Speech = Yes, Stereotyping = No" and "Fox Puts Muslims Under Siege".

A confident and mature sixteen year old high school student had come from San Fernando Valley with a friend and said "We are tired of being portrayed as evil people and terrorists". People had also come all the way from Riverside. A group of African American Muslims had lovingly caravanned down from the Riverside Mosque. A very well informed brother, Amir stated "We need to show up in such numbers also in front of liquor stores owned by Muslims. If African Americans and the rest of us unite, we can be extremely powerful. In our community, there is no assistance for young people to get married. Inter-racial marriage is a good coalition which would benefit the whole Muslim community". One person said "I'll check out the movie but won't pay for it directly. Buy the ticket for another movie which is playing at the same time, and then go inside to see Siege".

Another veteran activist reported "I'm thrilled and inspired to see such a great turn out. I got tired of carrying the weight for other Muslims. In 1991, I used to demonstrate against the Gulf War, a block from here, at the Federal building. There were only a handful of Muslim who showed up then. Facing the onslaught of racism alone, had burned me out". We need to applaud the work of CAIR and the young people in the Muslim Student Associations. They coordinated the community who showed up in significant numbers. The result was that Muslims felt empowered and not as helpless victims. Such community efforts are vital and require participation by ALL Muslims. Are you taking a free ride? If you call yourself Muslim, give something back to your community