Sunday, December 2, 2007

"I Wish They Knew" Music Video

Most Muslims would agree that as a whole we are misunderstood. While many view us as terrorists, those who do not believe this stereotype know nothing more about us than that that we are not terrorists. It is one of the largest problems facing Muslims today: everyone seems to know who we are not -- not who we really are.

So who are we? Well, here is your chance to decide. UCLA Film School graduate Lena Khan is looking for your help in making a music video about this very idea. The video will be compiled from these responses.

Please comment with one sentence you wish you could tell the entire non-Muslim world about you or about Muslims. It could be anything -- dreams, fears, aspirations, quirks, facts, whatever. Just write it and don't worry about how it sounds. Responses are anonymous. If you do not mind Lena knowing your identity, however (though your name will not be in the video), please send your response directly to lenakhan@gmail.com .

Non-Muslims know little about any of us...what do you wish they knew about YOU?

(or...what do you wish they knew about Muslims?)



Examples from other Muslims who have submitted:

"I'm good enough to win at Dancing at the Stars. But I'll only dance with my husband."

"News flash -- all people suck...not just Muslims."

"All of my family in Iraq is dead."

"I hope I find Joaquin Phoenix is in Heaven."

"Most Muslims are from Indonesia, not the Middle East."

"I cheated on a few tests in high school. Hey, I'm human too."

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wear a hijab even though my parents don't want me to.

Anonymous said...

I'm afraid of spiders and earthquakes, just like you.

Anonymous said...

I'm black and I am not a convert; I was born Muslim

Anonymous said...

I do go to parties and have fun in life, I just do so without killing my soul and body. -a hijabi

Anonymous said...

why would I remain a Muslim if Muslims are getting so much negative attention?

Unknown said...

Islam is about being grateful to God, and being good. That's it.

Muslims are FAR from perfect, but most can donate blood: they're not just clean, they're SQUEAKY clean.

If we don't hang out after work, it's not because I think I'm better than you... I just enjoy the simple pleasures in life, that's all.

Yeah, most Muslims are stuck in the 10th century, but what do you expect me to do about it?

Countries are like kids: you have to let them learn from their own mistakes.

Unknown said...

People say Muslims are old-fashioned, but is it a bad thing that because of our religion, we smile at everyone, hold doors for people, and respect elders enough to at least give up our seat on a bus?

Anonymous said...

"I grew a garden so I could make the perfect bouquet of flowers for the girl I loved, but I never kissed her even once, because I'm Muslim and thus have the respect not to take until I've vowed to give the rest of my life in marriage."

Anonymous said...

I am proud to be an American.

Anonymous said...

Worshiping God in Islam is not in bending up and down 5-times a day, it's all in aiding other human beings for the love of God.

Marya Bangee said...

I believe in being an agent for positive change within my society.

Um Sumayyah said...

I wear hijab and I'm proud of it.

Um Sumayyah said...

being an element of change is vital

Um Sumayyah said...

muslims are people just like you. islam, however, is a perfect religion.

Anonymous said...

I am Muslim and I am queer.
I am a practicing Muslim and I am queer.

Anonymous said...

I have very lucid dreams of drinking wine... but I won't really do it because Islam and faith in God gives me the will power to control my desires.

Anonymous said...

Don't feel threatened by me. I could be your doctor or your teacher.

Anonymous said...

I don't shake your hand because I respect you for who you are.

Anonymous said...

Islam teaches me that arrogance is detrimental while confidence is vital.

Anonymous said...

I don't need alcohol (or drugs) to have a good time. I'm high on life =)

Anonymous said...

I wish i didn't have to apologize for 9/11 everywhere i went- We didnt do it? What will it take to make people understand that?

Anonymous said...

Why would I have to harm my body almost permanently (meaning alcohol) just to have one night of fun when I can have one night of fun without alcohol.

I like poetry, love reading, swimming, arguing (with intelligent people, watching both news and shows, playing basketball, and LOVE any type of Asian food. Does that sound like someone who's about to blow you up.

I don't really see why people judge a nation or a religion based off of a small group. Hey, look at Hiroshima or KKK!

The words Muslim and Islam both come from the word Salam which means "peace" in Arabic where the religion Islam originated from. Do you really think that we Muslims will put the major root of our religion aside and still call ourselves Muslims?

True, immigrant Muslims do try making our own secularist group (AAMOE). But isn't that the first step to accepting ourselves as Americans?

A lot of Muslims are educated in matters of the world. This is not for terrorism, it's for protecting themselves against it.

Anonymous said...

I wish people knew that...

I define my hijab; my hijab doesn't define me.

I still love to watch cartoons (I'm doing a post-grad degree) -- especially Pinky and the Brain and Animaniacs.

I used to read CNN en Espanol for fun in highschool. People thought I was Mexican. I'm not.

I'm a hopeless romantic.

I pick on people when they use poor grammar.

I love to laugh and make people laugh.

You don't have to apologize for being "you" around me -- I am no holier than thou. Promise.

Anonymous said...

You don't need politically motivated words from ANY side to help you form an opinion.

We don't need to feel threatened by differences - just accept them.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Judaism + Christianity + Islam

Anonymous said...

Life is hard for me, too.

Anonymous said...

I love laying on the grass on cool, crisp and sunny days to read my book

Anonymous said...

I vote Green Party!

Anonymous said...

I love tattoos and piercings. They're mostly mine to see.

Anonymous said...

I am a practicing Muslim and I am a genuinely happy human being. I don't need a boyfriend or alcohol to enjoy life.

Anonymous said...

I cheer for Arkansas Razorback Football.

Anonymous said...

I'm often known to tell people that their mom goes to college.

Anonymous said...

Just because I do not wear a hijab, it does not mean I am strong Muslim. Islam is what I live for.

Anonymous said...

*Just because I do not wear a hijab, it does not mean I am not a strong Muslim. Islam is what I live for.

Anonymous said...

I am a member of the Muslim Brotherhood and I was raised to care for you like I care for my family.

Anonymous said...

How I hate being exposed to watered down version of my religion.

Anonymous said...

Judge my religion by me, NOT what you see on tv.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes Muslims have bad days too. For example, the days after my father died, I was dealing with a lot, it didn't help to have to deal with the discrimination too.

Anonymous said...

Don't feel sorry for me, I actually feel sorry for you! --a hijabi

Anonymous said...

The difference between why a non-Muslim tells the truth and why a Muslim tells the truth is that a non-Muslim does it for the sake of morals and values but a Muslim does it simply for the sake and love of Allah (swt)- now that's spiritual

Anonymous said...

people should be judged as individuals, an action of an individual does not represent the mindset of a whole.

Anonymous said...

will this be actual music video or nasheed? will it have instruments?

Anonymous said...

"Don't guess why do I cover myself just from your point of view, if you want to know the truth, make some research!"

"What's the meaning of life? I've found it!"

"I love to wear hijab!"

Anonymous said...

If you took a knife and cut me, you would see that I bleed red just like you.

Anonymous said...

YES....I play basketball in my hijaab and abaya! NO...its not hard.

Anonymous said...

I can't date and I like it that way.

Anonymous said...

My hijab is a state of mind

Anonymous said...

i'm not bald under my hijab.

just because i wear the hijab does not mean i'm a perfect muslim or an extremist. i'm just trying to be better than i am. hijab is only one tool.

like everyone else, i'm flawed. but islam is not. it's a perfect way of life.

Anonymous said...

I like to listen to old Britney Spears and Beatles tunes!

Anonymous said...

I have an obsession with chicklit!

Anonymous said...

My husband treats me like a princess.

Anonymous said...

I am Moroccan
I am Black
I am German
I am Native American

I am made of love, peace, Islam.

You can always say im not black enough, not arab enough, not white enough, not Sioux enough...

But you can never say that Islam is not enough when it is what allows me to live in this racially disected world of labelling.

It's my inner peace, my reason to live. Nothing else can ever replace the beauty, the simplicity of this religion.

You dont know me...But you can easily know Islam.

Anonymous said...

I love how some of my non-muslim friends seem to understand Islam better after reading this.