Serving as the dean of a premium business school in Pakistan, Dr. Ishrat Hussain interacted with students graduating from the most elite private schools in Pakistan as well as CEOs and owners of elite corporations, multi-national companies and large-scale businesses. Therefore, with his vast experience that involves heading the central bank and a premier business school, he is endowed with enough knowledge and insights to write a comprehensive book on the elitist state. The last chapter in the book provides a detailed analysis of the last two decades (2000-2019), which the author spent at institutions, both government and higher educational, in Pakistan.
A clip from The Riz Khan Show on Al Jazeera English shows a unique journey to the Muslim world through America. Professor Martin and Hailey Woldt, who were both Ahmed’s former Honours students, along with Jonathan Hayden from Alabama and Ahmed’s Chief of Staff for five years, accompanies Ahmed to the Muslim world. Craig Considine, Ahmed’s student is the film director. While Ahmed has worked with film production units in the past, he has decided to work informally and casually while shooting the documentary. “This way we will not attract attention and distract people, especially in mosques and homes.” Ahmed says. Madiha Hameed also joins the group for three months.
While filming the documentary, Ahmed and his crew visited over 75 cities and some 100 mosques and met every kind of Muslim. Ahmed says, “For me, it was a journey of discovery. It was also my tribute to the land that had welcomed me and my family.”
This film shows the causes and reasons for the non-Muslims of America seeing Muslims as invaders into their land.
TDr. Craig Considine in his blog, craigconsidinetcd.com, writes that, “ ‘Journey into America’ is arguably the most comprehensive documentary ever made on Muslims in America. The film explores the issue of what it means to be American through the lens of Muslims.”
Ahmed’s documentary has also been called an essential pillar in the effort to build the interfaith bridge of understanding by Congressman Keith Ellison, America’s first-ever Muslim representative on Capitol Hill. Ellison adds that “ ‘Journey into America’ will inform, provoke, and inspire Americans of all colors, cultures, and faiths.”
Most of the documentary is focused on the sympathetic depiction of Muslims belonging to a diverse range of professions residing in America. While the documentary looks at the views from both sides of the fence, it does point out an interesting detail. Viewers realize that anti-Muslim prejudice can be because of ignorance and not malice.
Traveling far and wide across America allowed Ahmed and his team the opportunity to meet all sorts of Americans. He says, “As we travelled, I was again struck by the beauty and grandeur of America and the hospitality and generosity of its people.” In St. Louis, Rabbi Susan Talve, Central Reform Congregation, gave blessings to Ahmed and his team for their journey. Talve said it was a huge responsibility and an honour to go on the journey. Bob Holden, former Governor of Missouri said that minorities, including the Italians and the Irish, had tremendous problems coming in the country.
During his journey, Ahmed visited Dearborn in Michigan that houses one of the largest Muslim populations in the US. At the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Ahmed met Imam Sayed Hassan Al-Qazwini who has become the voice of the Muslims in America. Where Imam Sayed has been promoting Islam, the documentary also featured Farhan Latif, former President, Muslim Students Association, University of Michigan,Dearborn, who was attacked for promoting interfaith dialogue.
In Las Vegas, Ahmed met two inspiring people, Imam Fateen Seifullah and Bishop R. E. Lee. Ahmed met Imam Seifullah at the oldest mosque of Las Vegas. It was built during the late 1960s. Imam Seifullah said that Mike Tyson gave one of the largest donations to the mosque along with Muhammad Ali. Bishop Lee from the Rehoboth Cathedral said that he saw Imam Seifullah as his brother. He said that he was trying to remove the myths many people have about Islam and Christianity. Interestingly, the mosque and the cathedral are situated beside each other, which goes to show the freedom in opinion enjoyed in the US.
This film shows the causes and reasons for the non-Muslims of America to see Muslims as invaders into their land. Most of this confusion and debate began because of the gap the two communities had among them. While there are non-Muslims and Muslims alike who are trying to reduce the gap, this film by Akbar Ahmed will be viewed as a case study. It will facilitate members from both communities to look at the Muslims as the custodians of a religion that was founded on peace.
As the documentary ends, Ahmed says, “We can all benefit from the wisdom of the great founding fathers of America. The founding fathers passionately believed in a pluralist America. A statue at Jefferson’s University in Virginia carries a tablet which reads, ‘Religious Freedom: 1786. God, Jehovah, Brahma, Atma, Ra, Allah, Zeus.’ Jefferson owns the Quran and welcomes the believers of Allah. It is this extraordinary pluralist vision that is in jeopardy. I believe America needs to rediscover the moral clarity, courage and inclusiveness of its founding fathers.”
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