The recent release of the Hollywood film “United 93” has evoked a wide range of emotions amongst viewers. For many, the groundbreaking film is sadly symbolic not of the memory of the passengers of the doomed flight on September 11, as the movie's creators most likely intended. Rather, it is a sad reminder of our own failure to bridge those gaps that continue to divide us as people, as well as our failure to see our human tragedies as tragedies shared.
The film depicts the true story of United Airlines Flight No. 93, one of the four planes hijacked on September 11, 2001. Via phone calls to and from loved ones on the ground, the plane's passengers discover the events unfolding in New York City and Washington DC, as well as plans for their own doomed flight, intended for a third American target.
In what was to be one more suicide mission on that historic day, the passengers of Flight 93 manage to force the plane to crash-land in a deserted field, killing all on board yet sparing the lives of the plane's intended target.
The film, currently being shown in theaters throughout the United States, opens with two hijackers reciting verses from the Holy Quran and chanting “La Ilaha Illallah” (There is no God but Allah). As the story develops, viewers are repeatedly shown Islamic symbols alongside acts of destruction, ending in the deaths of thousands.
Whether intended or not, a viewer of the 111-minute-long film unfamiliar with the tenets of Islam and its rich traditions, is sure to leave the theater with an overwhelming feeling that it was Islam that dictated the destruction of New York's Twin Towers, and the deaths of the 3,000 people.
The film implies, according to Saad Al Arabi of Al Madinah, that the attacks by Osama Bin Laden and his followers were carried out as a form of worship to Allah, and in obedience to the commands of Islam’s holiest book--an interpretation which would make most of the world's Muslim community shudder.
It must be remembered, reminds Al Arabi, that the vast majority of Muslims strongly condemned the September 11 attacks while expressing their condolences and sympathy for the people of the United States who lost their lives or loved ones.
Most Muslims also hoped that Americans and the rest of the world would understand that the perpetrators of these attacks did not represent Islam or express their sentiments, as the Holy Quran does not advocate violence, bloodshed or the killing of innocent people, despite how some may have incorrectly interpreted its sacred text.
A film that stresses such a connection only intensifies an already growing problem of Islamophobia across the world. One can only imagine people's reaction to a film that would stress the Christian belief system held by Adolph Hitler alongside the crimes he perpetuated.
Recognizing the bravery of the passengers of Flight 93 is an important, commendable act. However, a film that does so while alienating millions of Muslims vehemently opposed to acts of terror distorts Americans' understanding of the true nature of Islam and only intensifies anger, hatred and fear, those elements which played such a great part in the tragedy of September 11.
It is unfortunate that the memory and honor of all those touched by that horrific day could not have been better served by Hollywood's talent and know-how. Hopefully, for all our sakes, a new film will come along which will succeed at the important task.
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
