Stereotypical View of Muslims - Movie Review Example

Many individuals have a stereotypical view of Muslims. Some words associated with Muslims are terrorists, veiled women, Arab, and Allah. oHowever Muslims do not always fit the violent jihadist profile. Muhammad Legacy of a Prophet describes Muhammad’s life and Islamic history while including three modern Muslims. Kevin James, Daisy Khan, and Jameel Johnson are Americans. They are also Muslims. These three Muslims share their experiences with Islam. Each individual became attracted toward Islam in unique ways. Instead of just explaining the history of Islam Muhammad Legacy of a Prophet gives a personal point of view of how to live as a Muslim. Personal accounts make Muslims more human. People tend to hate the unknown. This film creates a knowledge the people can view at and understand. Kevin James was born to a Jewish mother and Native American/African American father. Growing up Kevin’s parents was agnostic or atheist. Religion was not a subject discussed in his household. Kevin mentioned that America is a racial country. Being black, white, Jewish, or Native American in America places the individual in a group or clique. This was especially true when Kevin was a child. Race mattered to Kevin. He was not black, white, Jewish, or Native American. Since he did not fit into one group as a child, he wanted to belong to a group. Kevin joined the New York Fire Department in order to help all groups. He wanted to be a fireman because they looked beyond race. It did not matter what race someone is to a fireman. A fireman will save anybody in need. Kevin was attracted to Islam for several reasons. The first reason was Kevin felt good helping his fellow man. The Prophet taught that to help one man was to help the whole world. Kevin liked that idea. The Prophet attracted Kevin because of his humility. Mohammad taught Kevin to serve his fellow man. He also was attracted to the peace promoted by the Prophet through the Quran. The goodwill that men are supposed to have toward each other is promoted by Islam. Kevin’s attraction was the mission of Islam to help mankind. He might not being saving the world, but Kevin is saving one individual at a time. Kevin considers every life important. Whether saving someone through an anti smoking campaign, saving someone from a fire every life is important to Kevin. Despite popular belief, Islam is a peaceful religion. Only when men interpret the Quran into self serving motives does it become violent. The Prophet never advocated violence. In fact the terrorists today are from a small section of Muslims. These Muslims, Shiites, believe that Mohammad was not the last Prophet. Imams that are descendants of Mohammad are allowed to decree Jihads, make religious decrees, and interpret the Quran in the Shiites version of Islam. The Shiites make up of somewhere around 2% (rough guess) of all Muslims. Most Muslims are Sunni. The Sunni faction believes that Mohammad was the last Prophet and follows his teachings through the Quran with little or no interpretation. The terrorist acts of 9/11 were planned and carried out by Shiites Muslims. Americans have been upset with all Muslims. While the terrorists were Muslims, so was some of the New York Fire Department. Kevin James went into the WTC that day. He saved lives and brought out bodies. Kevin did not care if the body or live person he was carrying out was Muslim, Christian, Jew, or atheist. He was helping his fellow man. People interacted on 9/11. Religion might have been an excuse for the violent acts on that day, but individuals created the events of 9/11. Some Muslims acted deplorably that day, but others like Kevin acted heroically. Forgetting Kevin’s contribution on that day would be disrespectful to all that experienced 9/11. Daisy Khan was the second Muslim interviewed for Muhammad Legacy of a Prophet. Daisy felt empty inside. Daisy was born a Hindu from India, but the Hindu religion left her cold. She began searching for meaning in her life. The Prophet Mohammad’s teachings about women attracted Daisy. Mohammad’s first wife, Khadija, was a business woman. She even hired Mohammad before marrying him. Mohammad stopped girl infants from being killed. He made rules about how men should treat their wives. In the Quran rules about a woman obtaining a divorce are given. Although the image of a Muslim woman in full veil or burqa is what most people think of, that is only an Arabic tradition. Daisy does not wear a head veil. The Prophet’s respect for women created a respect for the Prophet from Daisy. The personal relationship began on this attraction for his respect. Jameel Johnson was born into a black Christian home. Like many African Americans growing up in the 70s and 80s Jameel struggled to find an individual identity. He wanted to be a strong man. Sometimes that was hard. After watching Roots, Jameel started searching his roots. He was attracted to Islam by the Prophet Mohammad’s sense of justice. Jameel wants to right wrongs in the world by following the Prophet’s example. As a chief of staff for a Congressman, Jameel helps the Congressman set policy. Unjust policies can be fought against through legislation. Jameel also follows Mohammad’s peaceful example. Just like many other mainstream religions, Islam has cults of personalities. It is not fair to punish all Muslims for terroristic acts. For every Atta there is a Koresh or McVeigh. Christianity did not come under attack after the Oklahoma City Bombing, why should Islam come under attack after 9/11. Muslims are not responsible for 9/11. Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, Atta and the other terrorist that acted that day are responsible for 9/11. If Kevin, Daisy, and Jameel help their fellow man, than Islam could not be the sole issue behind the motives of 9/11. It is important to note that Kevin James, Daisy Khan, and Jameel Johnson have regular American lives. Kevin is a fireman. Daisy is an Interior Designer. Jameel works as chief of staff for a U.S. Congressman. Islam does not hinder them in any way. Jameel manages to pray five times day, sometimes even at the Capital building. Daisy does not wear a head covering. Kevin works as an arson investigator. Just like their fellow Americans these three function in American society. Like any other American that follows a religion, or does not follow a religion these people live their lives as law abiding citizens. All three are Americans and Muslims. The two do not conflict in their mind. All three of the Muslims interviewed had a personal relationship with the Prophet Mohammad and Allah. The relationship filled a need or hole in them that was empty. Christianity did not fill this void. Judaism did not fill this need. The need of belonging, order, or to fight injustice was fulfilled by Islam. Each of these individuals has a person relationship with the Prophet. His teachings helped make sense out of these lives. It also must be noted that all three Muslims in this film have a purpose in life. Not just a purpose, but a mission to make the world a better place. The same mission of the Prophet Mohammad to change the world for the better is carried on through these three Muslims. I would recommend this movie. People that are informed tend to be less afraid. The media has portrayed Muslims in a certain light. The typical version of a Muslim is an Arabic one. Many Muslims live in the Middle East, but not all. Asia, Africa, and America have a Muslim population. Most countries have a population of Muslims. Ironically America has been a country Muslims have fled to in order to avoid persecution. After 9/11 America has become less tolerant of Muslims. Hate crimes against Muslims have risen. This movie would help Americans understand that not all Muslims are bad. This movie will promote tolerance among Muslims and all Americans. It educates and informs. With the history are the results of what that history produced. This is not your ordinary boring religious movie. It is interesting and engaging. I would definitely recommend this movie. Read More