Representations of Islam in Hollywood and European cinema have been problematic for decades.
That said, despite the relatively small number of major productions with positive portrayals of the faith, the ones that do get it right often result in films brimming with authenticity.
Sometimes these truthful depictions are done subtly through a character’s actions, while in other cases, Islam is the main theme of the plot and it’s handled with dignity and accuracy.
From big-budget adventures and historical epics to independent productions, here are 10 films that treat the faith with respect.
1. ‘The Message’ (1976)
At the time of its release, this epic was celebrated – much like 2018's Black Panther, which was praised for its diversity – by many Muslims who had struggled to find any faithful representations on the big screen.
Directed by Syrian-American filmmaker Moustapha Akkad and starring Anthony Quinn, The Message chronicles the life of the Prophet Mohammed through the eyes of uncle Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib (Quinn).
Akkad took great pains to ensure the Prophet Mohammed was portrayed in accordance with Islamic tenets. This meant the prophet's face was not depicted, nor his voice. Instead, scenes were filmed from his point of view and his utterances were repeated by Hamza and supporting characters.
2. ‘Lion of the Desert’ (1981)
Quinn and Akkad teamed up once again for a biopic of Omar Al Mukhtar, a Libyan teacher who picked up arms to resist Italian troops occupying his homeland at the start of the Second World War.
Similar to The Message, the film is full of nuanced portrayals of Muslim practices, as well as Arab and North African cultural traditions.
3. ‘Malcolm X’ (1992)
Director Spike Lee's searing biopic of African-American activist Malcolm X was crowned by an astonishing lead performance by Denzel Washington.
Speaking at Dubai's On.DXB festival in 2019, Lee recalled how he and Washington worked hard to ensure the film's authenticity and accuracy. This included gaining rare access to shoot scenes in Makkah, and Washington studied the Quran in depth.
"There was no pork on his fork and no alcohol," Lee said of Washington's preparations. "He learnt how to pray in Arabic and he studied the Quran and that's because he is the most intelligent actor on this Earth, in my opinion."
4. ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves’ (1991)
It's for a pious Muslim character to play a sidekick in a big-budget action film. But that's the case in this 12th-century-set blockbuster starring Kevin Costner as Robin Hood.
Joining him on his adventures is Azeem, a softly spoken Moorish warrior (Morgan Freeman) whose life and demeanour is defined by his faith.
In a quiet scene where Azeem is asked by a child why his skin was black, he smiles and replies “because Allah loves wondrous variety".
5. ‘The 13th Warrior’ (1999)
In this fictional account of an Arab Muslim traveller hired by Vikings to defend their homeland from an encroaching enemy, Antonio Banderas's turn as the real-life 10th-century personality Ahmad ibn Fadlan is dignified and perceptive.
He frequently repeats the Muslim prayer "there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His prophet" and in another scene he teaches a Viking how to "draw" by scrawling that same prayer on the sand.
In the moments leading to the final battle, Banderas’s character prostrates to the ground in order to summon strength for the challenge ahead.
6. ‘Monsieur Ibrahim’ (2003)
This affecting French drama, originally titledMonsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Quran, is set in Paris in the 1960s and follows the unlikely friendship between Momo (Pierre Boulanger), a young French-Jewish boy from a broken home, and Ibrahim (Omar Sharif), an elderly Turkish man who runs the neighbourhood grocery store.
Finding solace in Ibrahim's presence, Momo helps out at the shop and eventually travels with him to Turkey learn about his faith and culture.
7. ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ (2005)
This is an epic film that brought a much-needed different take on the Crusades. Under the lens of director Ridley Scott, the series of battles was not portrayed as simply a clash of civilisations, but one where both sides, despite their differences, showed respect and honour to each other's faith and traditions.
A wonderful scene is when Muslim warrior Saladin, in a commanding performance by Syrian actor Ghassan Massoud, strolls through the debris of a devastated church to find a cross on the floor.
He picks it up and sets it respectfully on an altar.
8. ‘Body of Lies’ (2008)
This taut spy drama, set in the Middle East and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was praised for its authentic settings, cast and appreciation for the cultural nuances of the Arab world.
A key part of the plot is the relationship between CIA officer Roger (DiCaprio) and Jordanian nurse Aisha, played by Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani.
The budding romance is shown in a way that pays respect to Islamic and Arab traditions – both characters never exchange physical affection and are often standing or sitting apart.
In one key exchange, Aisha chides Roger when his actions verge on vulgar, saying: "We [need] to have a conversation about the proper way to have a conversation."
9. ‘Salmon Fishing in the Yemen’ (2011)
In this charming romantic drama about British sea expert Alfred (Ewan McGregor) travelling to Yemen to hunt for wild salmon, the spirituality that abounds in the country is exemplified by local, Sheikh Muhammed, played by Egyptian actor Amr Waked.
As well as being a fishing enthusiast, it is through the sheikh’s actions and wisdom that Alfred gets a keener insight into Islam and the region as a whole.
10. ‘Aladdin’ (2019)
Muslim and Arab audiences would be forgiven for approaching the live-action remake of the 1992 animated film with a certain degree of trepidation. Despite its charm and wit, the first film was replete with problematic and off-colour stereotypes of the region.
The new version went some some way to address this by presenting the fictional kingdom of Agrabah in a respectful light.
Where in the animated film it was described as "barbaric, but hey, it's home", the new version paints it as a proud land full of culture and glittering minarets.
RESULT
Bayern Munich 3 Chelsea 2
Bayern: Rafinha (6'), Muller (12', 27')
Chelsea: Alonso (45' 3), Batshuayi (85')
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
The bio
Favourite book: Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer
Favourite quote: “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist
Favourite Authors: Arab poet Abu At-Tayyib Al-Mutanabbi
Favourite Emirati food: Luqaimat, a deep-fried dough soaked in date syrup
Hobbies: Reading and drawing
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
MORE ON IRAN'S PROXY WARS
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
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