by Corey Habbas
The celebrated full-length feature animation �Muhammad: The Last Prophet (PBUH)� will meet audiences this April in British Columbia�s Broadway Cinema operated by Raja cinema between April 7th through the 13th. Approval from Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy in Cairo came before the film s first release.
When the animation played to North American audiences for the first time last November in 37 cities for a one week engagement, many Muslims in British Columbia wondered why Vancouver wasn t on the list.
�I was unhappy that they opportunity of showing it in BC was not in the plans,� says Syed R. Khan, PhD. in Immigration Law and CEO of 2010 Vancouver Visa Team. Khan, who has seen the film twice, began last December to coordinate efforts for the animation�s re-release. �When I made my first connection with Fine Media Group, I was thrilled to get a response,� says Khan. Since then, Khan has been working with Oussama Jammal, President of Fine Media Group, the film�s distributor.
So that full participation of all BC Muslims can be enjoyed, members of the Shia and Sunni communities have been consulted as to the best time for the flim�s release and particularly after the Shia mourning period of Muharram which commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Housain.
Imam Zijad Delic, head of the B.C. Muslim Association, also gives his full endorsement.
�The animated movie - Muhammad (pbuh) the last Prophet - is an important contribution to understanding of Islamic teachings especially among the youth. It brings out an exciting message of peace that Islam teaches, is a great opportunity and an easy and practical way for parents to help children learn and understand the basics of the last Messenger's message.�
Imam Delic continues, �In the age of technological advancements, Muslims need to utilize these tools to advance ourselves and support understanding of the message. I give my full support and stand behind great achievements such as animated movie - Muhammad the last Prophet.�
Although location was the first factor in deciding where to release the film, Khan says that showing the animation at Broadway Cinema (1660 East Broadway Ave. west of Commercial) will provide many benefits. Both Muslims and non-Muslims will gain exposure to accurate and fair depictions of Islam�s past.
�I would like the audience to appreciate Islam's encouragement of compassion, generosity, moderation and humility and its rejection of corruption, racism, greed arrogance and indifference to the suffering of others.�
Many of the same sentiments run through the North American Muslim Community.
"I just want them to know some history about Islam, and our beloved Prophet, so they at least have some understanding of our religion, says one Muslim father in a Voice of America interview that took place outside theaters in Virginia upon the animation�s first release.
Both 2010 Vancouver Visa Team and marketing consultants, Muslim Pages and British Columbia Muslim Network are looking for additional sponsors to fund the up-front costs that are required to release the film at Broadway Cinema screens.
Made in English and costing $12 million dollars to produce, �Muhammad: The Last Prophet� runs 90 minutes and is told from the point of view of Islam s early followers in order to comply with the religious restriction on depicting any images of Muhammad (pbuh). The director of this film, Richard Rich, has worked for Disney in the past and directed such animation classics as �The King and I� and �The Fox and the Hound�. Consultants on the movie include Dr. Khalid Abou El Fadl (UCLA), Ms. Firdosi Wharton-Ali (UCLA), Dr. John L. Esposito (Georgetown University) and Dr. John S. Voll (Georgetown University). The movie took more than 2 years to make, with a total of 196,000 drawings completed during its production.
Tickets are being sold now, and will not be sold at the door. Each ticket costs $15 and will be provided on a first-come first-serve basis for limited showing times. To purchase tickets, please call 2010 Vancouver Visa Team at 604-251-1786 or British Columbia Muslim Network at 604-304-0000. For more details please contact Syed R. Khan at [email protected]
