So many of us get our knoweldge of others through the media. We watch CNN or Al Jazeera and seem to believe that what we see is the whole truth. One espcially influential worldview shaper is movies.
I remember one friend from the Middle East saying to me, “I want to marry an American.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Because none of the women are fat,” he replied with all sincerity.
Knowing his view of reality was warped, I asked, “Do you think this because of movies you’ve watched?”
“Yes,” he said, “none of the women in the movies are fat.”
He obviously has not been to America.
Such a view seems naive to most Americans, yet most of our knowledge of Muslims also comes from the movies and news and most of the Muslims we see portrayed are pretty scary. This is why I am always glad to see movies that have a Muslim hero.
There is a scene in The Kingdom that shows Ashraf Barhom (who played Colonel Al Ghazi) praying. The music is beautiful and this scene that probably lasts less than a minute powerfully displays his humanity (I looked for in on youtube, but couldn’t find it).
It is this humanity that is so important for us to see. We cannot hope to have peace with one another if we don’t recognize that all people, whether they are born in America or Saudi Arabia, France or Pakistan, are created in the image of God (see Genesis 1:26-27).
What are some movies you’ve seen that show the humanity of Muslims?
Hi Dustin,
I watched an interesting movie a bit ago called Traitor – a RebBox gamble. It works up as an action/suspense film that tries to get underneath the personality of the hero – where does his ultimate loyalty rest? Traitor? To Whom?
Thanks for your work in setting this up! Very good stuff.
Thanks Larry. I saw that movie and really liked Don Cheadle’s character.
I was just going to suggest traitor, Cheadle did a wonderful job.
Though not a movie, this past season of 24 (Season 7), portrayed the fact that there are Muslims in America who are just seeking to lead a peaceful life, and who DO practice forgiveness. Jack Bauer even requested the Muslim imam he met to come and pray for him in the hospital!
I also concur with those who mentioned Traitor….great movie which showed many different kinds of Muslims.
Those scenes from 24 came to my mind as well.
(Trips to Holy Land Deli in Mpls. do wonders, too!)
Mmmm. Sounds good.