c. 2008 Religion News Service

(UNDATED) Every professor, I guess, knows that feeling: the one time he wishes he had stayed quiet instead of spouting off on some subject, only to be misquoted or proven wrong.

For me, that time lasted about 60 seconds and is captured on a film that millions of people around the U.S. have received in their newspapers for free: a demonizing piece of propaganda called “Obsession.”

As an academic and as a Muslim, I am indeed obsessed with speaking out against any form of religious violence, especially when perpetrated by those who claim they are acting in the name of my religion. So when I was approached about three years ago to be interviewed for a film on Islamic extremism, it was with this intention that I participated. I even signed a waiver as I wanted no payment for educating the public about extremist groups like the Taliban and al-Qaida.

The interview lasted for about 10 minutes, and in it, I addressed the issue of radical Islam. I did not have the slightest inkling that the film would be used in an attempt to politically brainwash voters and to assault an already beleaguered Muslim community.

And yet, inasmuch as I wish to blame others, I must accept my own culpability.

In my zeal to educate, I lost sight of the fact that information can be used to distort and sway. The minutes of my interview are whittled down to a few seconds that are then dwarfed by alarmist propaganda, the majority of which comes from hate-mongers and delivered in a manner that seeks to convince the unwary.

In the film, I make no secret of the fact that I do take issue with some traditional interpretations of Islam _ namely, that some people interpret the word “jihad” to be a legitimate justification for acts of war. Many Muslims often take umbrage at things that I say, but I always approach my work with the goal of making religion a loving and livable experience. When I saw my good intentions distorted and placed out of context in a propaganda piece like “Obsession,” it deeply distressed me.

The film claims to make the point that there are some extremist Muslims who fight against freedom and democracy _ I agree with that. But many more Muslims are fighting extremists each day _ proudly doing so _ in some cases as American soldiers, in other cases (myself and others included) as scholars and authors. But despite our work and the living example of millions of Muslims living their daily lives in peace, alarmists like the makers of “Obsession” continue to exploit the fears and feelings of the American people.

To my fellow Muslims, I offer my sincerest apologies for allowing myself to be involved in this dishonest enterprise.

To non-Muslims, I am sorry that you should be subjected to such hate propaganda in a country where we pride ourselves on tolerance and pluralism.

And to the producers of the film, I say get rid of your obsession with demonizing Muslims.

(Khaleel Mohammed is an associate professor of religious studies at San Diego State University in San Diego, Calif.)

KRE/LF END MOHAMMED

500 words

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