Quran Compatible With American Values, Filmmaker Says
Trevor Williams Atlanta - 03.06.09 http://www.globalatlanta.com/articlevid/17201/267/ Mr. Masudi is optimistic that 9/11's scars are largely in the past, and that the perceived conflict between Islam and the West will shrink if "as long as we are sincere in our efforts" to foster understanding. Video Links: Indian Filmmaker Discusses New Quran Movie In Global Economy, Terrorism Affects All 'Quran: Contemporary Connections' Trailer Despite a perceived cultural clash between the West and Islam, many of the values upheld by Americans are also enshrined in the religion's holy book, the Quran, an Indian filmmaker said in Atlanta. "The Quran is already there, it's being played out every day, day in and day out in American life," said Faruq Masudi, who is promoting his newest movie in Georgia. "To say that American lifestyle or society is at loggerheads with the concept of the Quran is very, very wrong." Mr. Masudi, who hails from northern India, has produced soap operas and other TV shows in multiple languages for distribution in India, Pakistan and around the Middle East. He had already produced two feature films in Hindi and Arabic, but his latest project was filmed entirely in the U.S., in English, with a cast of American scholars. Titled "Quran: Contemporary Connections," the film blends genres but mostly resembles a documentary, which Mr. Masudi hopes will correct much of what he calls "misinformation" about Islam in America. "I felt, like most of the Muslims, that we are not being perceived in the way we should be," Mr. Masudi said. In his view, it's partly the responsibility of Muslims to remedy that problem. Aside from being a business venture, the film is Mr. Masudi's effort to increase awareness about his faith and build intercultural understanding that leads to peace. Although he maintains good relationships with non-Muslim colleagues and acquaintances, Mr. Masudi decided to make the film when he noticed that many people still don't understand how Islam - a 1,400-year-old faith - fits into a modern context. As the "fountainhead" for all Islamic belief, the Quran is the perfect place to begin showing how Islam is compatible with Western values, Mr. Masudi said. For instance, the role of women in Muslim countries often comes under fire from human rights activists in America, but Mr. Masudi said his film shows that the Quran actually grants women equality in wealth, social status, religion and marital contracts. "If you ask me, there are more rights than men, contrary to what many people think," Mr. Masudi said. He allows that some countries acting under Islam's banner deprive women of their rights, but said "they are not acting in good belief. "The fault is with those people, not with the Quran," he said. In fact, the U.S. does a better job at enacting some Quranic precepts than many supposedly Muslim countries do, he said. He cited the government's Social Security program and efforts to help the poor and destitute. Using urban settings as the film's backdrop, the film shows how programs like these illustrate that some Quranic principles are at work. "When you see those images, those American images in my film, you really will wonder, . 'Where is the clash, where is the difference?'" Mr. Masudi said in a filmed interview with GlobalAtlanta. The media shoulders some of the blame for allowing stereotypes to take root. In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Americans became obsessed with the hunt for one man - Osama bin Laden - and hasn't been able to see the millions of Muslims around them who are contributing to their communities, he said. As far as news is concerned, "Being good is no good, you know? Being bad is good because bad sells," he added. "One Osama bin Laden sells all across the world, but there are millions of non-Osama bin Ladens who are doing absolutely wonderful work not only for Muslims but for non-Muslims as well." The film tackles the Islamic views of war and jihad, sex, polygamy and other issues that have become controversial and sensationalized. Mr. Masudi hopes to find a distributor for his film in the U.S. For more information on the film, watch the trailer above or go to www.quranconnections.com. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
