We really hope you’ll share your reaction to the film in a thoughtful, poetic or powerfully argued 500-1000 word essay. But if you’d rather leave a brief comment, here’s your space!
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General Discussion
Conservatism vs. Extremism
by admin
In the film, Asra refers to certain mosque members as extremists. How does one draw the line between religious conservatism and extremism? Did Asra make a tactical error in employing this term in her activism? What political dangers are associated with the label of extremism? Is there any upside to using the term?
Tags: extremism
General Discussion
Rhetoric vs. Reality
by admin
The current imam of the Islamic Center of Morgantown tells us that no official rule ever existed and no decision was ever made by mosque authorities preventing women from using the front door or praying in the main hall. Shahed Amanullah makes a similar point about the Islamic Center of Southern California in Los Angeles. Yet Asra says this rule was clearly communicated to her in Morgantown, and we see the same thing happen in the film when she visits the ICSC. Undoubtedly in these cases Asra’s confrontational approach played a role in the response she received, but questions remain.
Asra also reports that on Nov. 7, 2003, the board of the mosque in Morgantown voted 4-1 to make the front door and main hall “solely” for the use of men (her father was the lone dissenting vote). Later, on June 3, 2004, the Associated Press ran a story reporting that the mosque’s Executive Committee had voted to allow women in the front door and the main hall. According to Asra, this was the first public statement of this policy.
Are such assurances about the absence of policies prohibiting women’s participation and access at odds with reality in the Morgantown mosque and elsewhere? What other gaps exist between rhetoric and reality in our religious communities?
General Discussion
The Issue of Bias
by admin
Is this film “biased?”
Because it centers on the story of Asra Nomani, who obviously does not represent the majority of American Muslims? Because it dwells on controversy and conflict?
Or does it manage to maintain balance even while painting a portrait of a polarizing figure and exploring controversial issues?
Tags: Asra Nomani, media bias
The Mosque in Morgantown is a production of Version One Productions, Inc., in association with WGBH. It is a presentation of the Center for Asian American Media with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding was provided by the LEF Moving Image Fund. PBS broadcast is presented by WETA-TV, Washington, DC. © 2009 Version One Productions, Inc.
