Movies - Mohammad, Messenger of God

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	Movies - Mohammad, Messenger of God

Mohammad, Messenger of God (retitled The Message for U.S. release) (1976) is a film directed by Moustapha Akkad, chronicling the life and times of the founder of Islam, Muhammad. Released in both the Arabic language and the English language (Arabic name is الرسالة--English: Ar Risalah), Mohammad, Messenger of God serves as an introduction to early Islamic history. Although the movie revolves around Muhammad, his image is not depicted in any way throughout the movie, out of respect for Muslim aniconist traditions. Instead actors were left to talk to the camera.

The Making of "Mohammad"

Akkad faced resistance from Hollywood to making a film about the origins of Islam and had to go outside the United States to raise the production money for the film. It was shot in Libya and Morocco. While creating Mohammad, Messenger of God, he consulted Islamic clerics and tried to be respectful toward Islam and its views on portraying Mohammed. He saw the film as a way to bridge the gap between the Western and Islamic world, stating in a 1976 interview:

:"I did the film because it is a personal thing for me. Besides its production values as a film, it has its story, its intrigue, its drama. Beside all this I think there was something personal, being Muslim myself who lived in the west I felt that it was my obligation my duty to tell the truth about Islam. It is a religion that has a 700 million following, yet it's so little known about it which surprised me. I thought I should tell the story that will bring this bridge, this gap to the west."

Nevertheless, some cinemas still received threatening telephone calls from those who thought that the film offended Islam by portraying the Prophet in a physical way, even though Mohammed is not shown on screen. On March 9, 1977, a group of Black Muslims, led by Hamas Abdul Khaalis, seized several buildings and took 134 hostages in the District of Columbia. While their actions were related to a sectarian dispute within the Black Muslim community, one of their demands was to prevent the release of Mohammad. One of the terrorists specifically said "he wanted a guarantee from whole world it will never be shown" or they would execute some of the hostages.

While Akkad offered to show the film to the terrorists, and even said he would burn it if they hated it, the damage had already been done. The film was widely panned by critics and became a box office flop, although it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Music, Original Score.

Moustapha Akkad and his daughter Rima Akkad were killed by Islamist militants in the 2005 Amman bombings while they were attending a wedding celebration in Jordan.

Cast and crew

Director:

Mustafa Akkad

Starring:

Anthony Quinn
- Hamza
Irene Papas
- Hind
Michael Ansara
- Abu Sufyan

Supported by:

André Morell - Abu-Talib
Wolfe Morris - Abu-Lahab
Rosalie Crutchley - Somaya

Background/Production

Reception

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