USA: “Obsession” Anti-Islam Film Angers Bloggers
![](https://globalvoicesonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/405px-obsessionradicalislam.jpg "\\"Obsession\\" the movie poster")
Last week, many newspaper subscribers across the United States were surprised to discover a DVD inserted into their Sunday paper. The video, which can be viewed in its entirety on YouTube, is entitled Obsession: Radical Islam's War With the West and portends to compare the threat of radical Islamism with that of Nazi Germany prior to World War II. The DVD's release was timed to match the upcoming elections, and distribution of the DVD was almost entirely within swing states.
Almost immediately, newspapers began receiving complaints for their inclusion of the DVD, which was funded by The Clarion Fund, a group set up to combat “the most urgent threat of radical Islam.” Bloggers in the U.S. and abroad have expressed anger at both the distribution of the DVDs and the related crime.
Jordanian blogger Ali was understandably outraged at the timing:
While We Arabs and Muslims were busy thinking of food during Ramadan and watching Bab El Harra and Asmahan and the remaining 120 series on TV, having our delicious Sheesha’s (Water pipe) after Iftar, some mysterious group or organization was sending this disturbing DVD. The DVD bashes Islam and Muslims and warning Americans from expected terrorists attacks.
I see this as a typical fear-mongering propaganda that is always targeting the American people around Public Holidays and Anniversaries to remind the average American that those uneducated savage killers are still out there and they are ready to get to you.
Can you imagine the damage that was done to Muslims and Arabs and the lousy image we have in the west and the USA?
Not all Americans are well informed or well travelled, or have even met a Muslim. Therefore such hate DVDs will make a huge negative impact on the way they view Muslims and Middle Eastern. This will not be difficult for the relations between the West and East but also for Americans with Arab background living in America who can be harassed or be involved in hate crimes.
A Tale of Three Beans, also a Jordanian blogger, responded to Ali's post in her own blog. She wrote:
So, while I'm on the topic of misleading and outright lying, I wanted to go back to a post by Ali. I know he thought I missed his comment, but this is one of those conversations that requires thought and mulling over. Ali's post was on the mailing of 28 million copies of an inflammatory movie called Obsession to voters in swing states in the US. Now, long ago in my life, I learned not to comment on something about which I have no personal knowledge. So, I went out to youtube and watched the movie. It's divided into 10 six (ish) minute segments. So, now I've mulled and fermented my ideas and have some thoughts.
She then dug deeper into several of the issues related to the video, debunking myths and correcting poor translations. She also pointed out that there are a few valid points in the DVD, saying:
One fundamental message that followers of Islam would do well to heed is that Americans, average Americans, are scared of you. No, not just the radical Muslims -all Muslims. This is normal, it's natural. We're almost always scared of anything that's different. And, you look different. Sadly, both non-Muslims and Muslims alike get drawn into the trap of focusing on differences. Instead of pointing out the similarities between Ramadan and Lent to help bridge the understanding gap, the message delivered is that Christians wouldn't understand fasting (which says more about a lack of understanding of Christianity than anything). Islam and Christianity may vary widely, but they also share similarities. If you can help Americans (and Westerners in general) see that, you will be doing all of us favor. Each of you can play a role as an ambassador of your faith.
Finally, she concludes:
The reality about Americans is that while we may not be the most aware people in the world (nor are we the least, by the way), it's mostly a country of good people. They get up every morning and eat breakfast. They work hard to provide for their families. They love their children and want the best for them. The more things are different, the more they are the same. Americans are just like Jordanians. They're people who try their best to live life and ensure the well-being of their families. Understanding that whatever differences in tradition are just that – differences in tradition – may help bridge this gap. Remember that while you may even agree that American women are immoral, in the same way Americans agree that Arab women are subjugated and without rights. Neither picture is either wholly true or accurate. I think if we all try to understand each other better (not necessarily become like each other), our conversation will be richer and we may be able to leave fear behind and move forward with understanding and respect.
Writer and blogger Laila Lalami expresses few feelings toward the DVD but states that it won't make a difference anyhow:
I don’t, however, think that the DVD will have any effect on swing voters. We are so awash in Islamophobia in the States that any voters likely to be swayed by yet another Muslims-equal-terrorists rant are likely to have already made up their mind by now (and it’s not for Obama, let’s face it.)
Global Voices Morocco author Lalla Lydia explains why we should all watch the video:
I've noted that a lot of you are recognizing this sweet and unseasonal valentine as propaganda and tossing it in the trash.
I wish you wouldn't. Watch it. Like I did. And take notes.
I think it's well done. It reached its goal of scaring the crap out of viewers with all its rising crescendos of fear mongering, driving music and fast-paced images of terrorist attacks around the world.
Less than a week after the DVDs were distributed, children at a Dayton, Ohio mosque were the victims of an apparent hate crime in which gas was sprayed through a window of the building. Bloggers immediately connected the two incidents, despite the mainstream media's denial.
KABOBfest, a blog written by a group of mostly Arab-Americans, reported on the incident:
Is it mere coincidence that this attack comes after the “Obsession” DVD was distributed in the area? It just may be, and hopefully the policy investigate this vigorously enough to give us an answer.
This alarmist, Islamophobic video has been sent to swing states by a shadowy non-profit, the Clarion Fund. It is claiming to have sent 28 million copies. Most of the recipients will recognize it as the hate-ridden drivel it clearly is; but others may be inspired to secure the homeland and attack the enemy within — and this senseless attack may be one such case.
Interestingly, none of the mainstream media have covered this story. Perhaps if a Muslim committed a parallel attack at a church or synagogue, it would be newsworthy. What ever happened to the “man bites dog” theory of media interest? Perhaps we should update the adage to reflect the modern ethnogeography of violence: “White man attacks Muslims, that's not news. But when Muslims attack Whites, now that's a story!”
A Diamond's Eye View of the World, an American who blogs about Lebanon, reminds us that we have the right to protest the distribution of this DVD, sharing the Clarion Fund's address and urging us to write polite letters:
And if you want to contact the Clarion Fund, the address given on the DVD packaging is:
255 W. 36th Street, Ste. 800
New York, NY 10018
(646) 308-1230Just remember: be polite, be professional, and articulate your position using evidence, not personal insults.
Also of note is that a group called Obsession With Hate has been set up to combat the propaganda perpetuated by the film.
103 comments
Jullian: How in the world can Jay’s comments not be relevant about a cult that has not, nor will not, changed it’s philosophy since it’s inception. I would suggest that you do some study before degrading some one that has taken the time to do so. I have been to various Islamic countries and see how they operate and treat people that are “infidel”. Have eaten with them in Egypt out in their country side mud brick homes, regrettably this caused a reaction that I will not describe in detail, a day latter, and seen the horrid squalor that the Muslim in Cairo and other Muslims countries endure. What causes these conditions in most Islamic countries?
Jullian: The lost loved one need not have been murdered in the 9-11 attacks but could have been an athlete at the 1972 Munich games or maybe been on a bus in the Valley of the Kings to be murdered by having their throats cut, or to have been in Kuta, Bali at a night club, (Oct. 12 was the anniversary of this Islamic terrorist attack that killed 202 innocent tourist.) Do you know why the people that you seem to love killed these tourist? In Egypt it had to do with the fact that tourism is the main source of income for the nation and Anwar Sadat, a truly remarkable Muslim, had tried to establish peace with Israel. Your loving Muslims wanted none of that and wanted to try to keep tourist money coming into Egypt; therefore, hurting the majority of the population; but would this matter to them? The motives were the same in Bali. Because the progressive and modernizing Hindu residence of Bali were doing so well from the tourist business, why not try to keep any more tourist from coming? I spent a month in Bali last year and the Kuta attack is still felt on this beautiful island. I also went to Muslim Lombok, which is also a beautiful island, but not so many tourist want to go there because of the Islamic attitude that they encounter. You, Jillian, need to be the one to wake up and realize what is happening. I think that SAMANTHA’S some what sums up some of the post that I see here. She has not seen the DVD but knows all about it. How sad to then , after admitting this, to make comments regarding it.
Doug
Alright Doug, enough. You can’t even spell my name right, you keep telling me to “do some study” (which I have, thank you), and your comments are becoming less and less amusing and less and less palatable.
You’re unwilling to understand the reasons behind many of these attacks (guess what, it’s not Islam!) and unwilling to engage in discourse. Your only purpose here is to continue to try and convince me that I don’t know what I’m talking about (whilst continuing to ignore my own truths, including the damn spelling of my name!)
Enjoy yourself, Doug.
Doug,
Thank you very much for supplying me your value judgements about me and Muhammad. As for myself, I hold a degree in Arabic/Islamic Studies from Cà Foscari University of Venice (Italy), I’ve been doing an MA in Middle Eastern Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies of London and am now an MPhil student at the same school. As for Muhammad, his image in the West evolved throughout historical periods. His representation was deeply negative and largely based on Christian, say, “perspective” and its initial hostility towards Islam. Early biographical accounts were focused on his alleged sexual proclivities and mental illnesses. However, as the amount of informations grew, the figure of Muhammad changed. Precisely, from the XVIIIth century onward, his figure ceased to be negatively portrayed and began to be approached through the use of historical methods of analysis. I went through several biographies of the Prophet and my teachers also taught me to understand how different accounts are affected by the historical periods in which they were produced and, as a consequence, by the body of knowledge at disposal. I’ve read Watt’s, Rodinson’s, Cook’s, Bausani’s, biographies of the prophet Muhammad and none of them talked about him using the terms you used. Also, my teachers never referred to him as “a ruthless mass murderer, a lustful sex maniac, a shameless pedophile, […] a cunning assassin, a marauding chieftain, a schizophrenic narcissist, a pathetic liar […]”. So, either I’ve been taught by a bunch of “Western Jihadis” or you must update your readings.
(Muhammad’s image in the West? Check this out: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/396226/Muhammad)
As for the Crusade. Urban II called for a Crusade to liberate Jerusalem from Egyptian Fatimid Caliph. Are you sure? Well, just two quick points. The 1st Crusade was waged by Urban II in response to a call from Alexius I, Emperor of the Eastern Byzanthine Empire, in order to counteract the expasion of the Seljuks Turks into Anatolia. It wasn’t religion, but geopolitics. It wasn’t Fatimids, but Seljuks. Second, the military campaigns which mainly targeted Muslims, were also directed against Jews, Greek Orthodox Christians and other ethno-religious groups. In the siege of Jerusalem, Muslims and Jews fought together against the Franks in order to defend the city.
Wikipedia is enough. Here it is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusade#First_Crusade_1095-1099
Regarding the causal connection between Muhammad’s swords in the Topkapi and the violent essence of Islam. I did get your point, I was only trying to show you how deeply flawed it is. Your logic is the following: a) Muhammad had 6 swords; b) He founded Islam c) Islam is an intrinsic violent faith; d) Jihadis are Muslims and violent because Islam, per se, is violent. That’s a solid logic! Is there any causal relationship between these statements? Have you ever heard about words such as history, politics, economics, context, and evolution? You said that Christian believers “turned [their own religion] to other ends”. Why doesn’t this same logic apply to Muslims as well? Is Islam really inherently violent, whereas Christianity is a religion based on love? Again, have you ever read St. Paul? I strongly advise you to do so. St. Paul’s writings were violent indeed. Should I assume that even Christianity is based on violence? No. Once again, religion is a system of belief produced and constantly interpreted by human beings in different historical, economical, and socio-political contexts. There is no violent religion, but only violent human beings (I intentionally avoided the use of “believers” in this case).
Oh … for your own sake. Stop referring to Buddhism as a religion.
JILLIAN YORK: Please excuse the miss spelling of your name, I’m sorry that it has caused you such anguish. Maybe it came from my primitive typing abilities, note that the U & I are in close proximity, from the fact I do not recall having ever encountered the name, JILLIAN, before, or perhaps from a deeper Freudian cause.
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.” Shakespeare. OK JILLIAN, now we can move on from this & I could care less how you spell my name as long as I have an idea to whom your thoughts are addressed. Before Sept 11, 2001, I was perhaps as naive as you regarding Islam. I had been to countries where the principle religion is Islam and may have wondered why they appeared so different and the people seemed hostile & uncooperative, something that would take 10 min. to get done any place else, such as Thailand, might take all day, such as in Egypt. I really began to wonder about Islam when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan and what little information that came out of there seemed too bazaar to be true. “Afghanistan’s radical clerics began a campaign to crack down on “un-Islamic” segments of Afghan society. The Taliban soon banned all forms of imagery, music and sports, including television, in accordance with what they considered a strict interpretation of Islamic law” What was happening in Afghanistan makes Jay’s thoughts very relevant because this “religion” has not changed it’s philosophy since it’s inception.
What made me truly amazed how anyone could be so ignorant, no stupid, was when they destroyed the giant Buddha statues of Bamyan that were carved out of the cliff face in 507 & 554 AD; the first one carved was 180 feet high & the other was 121 feet in height. They were the tallest standing Buddha statues in the world, emphases on “were”.
On March 6, 2001 The Times quoted Mullah Mohammed Omar as stating, “Muslims should be proud of smashing idols. It has given praise to God that we have destroyed them.” He had changed his position from being in favor of the statues to being against them. During a March 13 interview for Japan’s Mainichi Shimbun, Afghan Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmad Mutawakel stated that the destruction was anything but a retaliation against the international community for economic sanctions: “We are destroying the Buddha statues in accordance with Islamic law and it is purely a religious issue”. Mind you, these were world heritage sites. Then came 9-11 and my study of Islam began. You say I’m not willing to engage in discourse when I offer up my views of an issue that obviously do not agree with your views. To study something is not the issue, to learn something from those studies is the issue. Just because I do not hold the normal liberal view of Islam certainly does not mean the my view, while different from yours, is incorrect. I leave you will a couple of applicable quotes:
“To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.” — Thomas Paine
“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” – Plato
JILLIAN, Have a nice day: Doug
CNN.com just published a story on the whole affair – a few quotes:
– Rima Barakat Sinclair, who is Muslim and a Republican, was so angry she called her local lawmakers in Denver. “It is riddled not only with misleading facts but outright fabrication,” said Barakat Sinclair.
– The Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, a group that includes some Democratic donors, has filed complaints with the Internal Revenue Service and Federal Elections Commission, saying Clarion has violated its tax-exempt status.
– Linsley agreed and said newspapers should have made it clear the DVD was part of an ad campaign and not an editorial decision.
– The FEC and IRS would not comment on the specifics of the case, but said they investigate all complaints.
@ Doug Swallow:
“He was a ruthless mass murderer, a lustful sex maniac, a shameless pedophile, Mohammed was 54 and married Aiisha when she was 6. He consummated the marriage when she was 9, a cunning assassin, a marauding chieftain, a schizophrenic narcissist, a pathetic liar and many other vile qualities that disqualify him from being a decent human being let alone a messenger of God.”
This is classic. Shows how people can easily be brainwashed when they do not want to look beyond their cocoon. Child and minor marriage practices were prevalent in many societies. Even in the twentieth century it was norm in the Indian subcontinent and later the government had to make laws to stop it. We have folklore that even a new born was married. These does not correspond to any religion but social practices. Honor killings are purely tribal culture and were/are prevalent in tribal societies (like in Pakistan). So trying to generalize those as religious practices only shows one’s depth of knowledge.
The Indian Literature Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s wife was also a minor like Ayesha. They had four children, the eldest was born when Mrinalini was 13. He later marry off his daughters at the ages of 13 and ten-and-a-half respectively. This was Late nineteenth century not fifteen hundred years ago.
Would you feel the same way against him (he was not a Muslim)? No wait. I guess you are not interested anything other than venting hatred against one race.
How dare this lameduck so-called military-backed fanatic government allow the religious bigots destroy the great work of Lalon by Mrinal Haque!It is a slap on humanity and one of it`s superheroes.
This impotent illegitimate fascist dictatorship bowed to the fundamentalists as many elements within the self-imposed despotic regime harbor strong Islamic fundamentalist ideologies. The shameless parade of long list of support extended to this unconstitutional fascist regime by the US, UK, UN, EU and failed financial institutes like World Bank, WTO,FAO and IMF is slowly turning us into a miserable failed state.
Even today a US army officer and a visiting UK minister supported the fascist overtures of this communal government. SHAME, SHAME on you who are responsible for the worst genocide in history. History won`t forgive you. You will be tried for sure for war crimes and crimes against humanity at some point in history.
This undemocratic illegal government has tarnished the secular image of Bangladesh abroad by fully collaborating and executing the blueprint of Jamaat-e-Islami dominated army and civil administration to bludgeon democracy in Bangladesh. In justless than two years, accountability and transparency of any government in Bangladesh`s history is at it’s lowest ebb. Corruption among civil bureaucrats and the army have skyrocketed to levels far higher than what BNP and AL were accused of. Fakruddin and Moeen are the worst war criminals destroying the secular fabric of Bangladesh`s tolerant heritage. It is comparable to the killer TALIBAANS destroying the statue of Lord Buddha in Afghanistan.
Fakruddin and Moeen are the biggest MUNAAFIKS and rabid wolves who conspired to get into power by impersonating themselves as sheep.
Rezwan: No matter how many “wrongs” you want to add up, you will never get something to be right and proper if it is inherently “wrong” and one does not need religion to tell you which is which. The post by Hazrat Ali should be of interest to all.
“The truths of religion are never so well understood as by those who have lost the power of reasoning.”…Voltaire, Philosophical Dictionary, 1764
“I believe in Spinoza’s God who reveals Himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with fates and actions of human beings.” – Albert Einstein