Educational Media Reviews Online

The distributor’s website notes that the documentary examines how a fast growing community of people of the Islamic faith involved in a contest of support and resistance to the building of a mosque plays out against the backdrop of national and global politics. The setting is Temecula Valley, California where since 1999 there has been a growing number of the population that practices Islam. The film presents several questions that it does not explore, but which would be good for group discussion and even research. For instance, the film mentions that when Muslims began to arrive in Temecula they were tenants rather than landowners. As time passed, they began to purchase property and they made a decision to purchase land to construct a mosque. It is inferred that while the religious center was rented rather than owned there were no united protests against the Muslim population. However, after the decision to construct a “permanent facility” protests arose. One question might be to consider the aspects of “permanence” vs. “temporary” presence of the Muslim population and that effect on the non-Muslim population. Of course relevant to the discussion are the events of 9-11.

The film brings our attention to political movement in the US since 9-11 such as the Tea Party and groups the film describes as “far right” groups. It examines the effect of powerful public figures in shaping a globally encompassing definition of Islam and what it is to be Muslim. Several minutes of discussion and video are devoted to scrutinizing ACT, Jihad Watch, Glenn Beck and other public sources for defining global Islam.

The film provides an informed defense of Islam and being Muslim, but it does not present a balanced discussion between the supporters and opponents of building a mosque in Temecula Valley, California. Although the film presents a one sided discussion of how Islam has been victimized it loses track of the film’s title. Hence, you may leave the film feeling you learned little about the support effort for vs. the opposition to the mosque in Temecula.

The film begins centered on the events in Temecula, but dramatically shifts to opposition movement in Europe and then back to America post 9-11. Only about half of the film deals with Temecula, while about half of the film examines “Islamaphobia” from the perspectives of the Swiss Parliamentarian, Andreas Gross and the editor of Left Turn Magazine, Rami El-Amine. This left me feeling that the film had not stayed true to its title and mission. Perhaps a new title would correct this.

Conversely, the film could have been improved and consistent with the title if an examination of the behind the scenes work done by both opponents and supporters had taken place. For example, both sides of the issue before the Commissioners could have been presented. Likewise, interviews with citizens on both sides of the issue might have been portrayed.

In conclusion, I viewed the film twice and while I understood the media driven frenzy of the “war on terrorism” and the depiction of Islam since 9-11 I remained unsatisfied that I had learned very little about the people of Temecula Valley and how those who opposed and supported the mosque shaped their arguments for and against the mosque. For this reason, I was not left feeling that I had learned anything much about “how” the citizens of Temecula (those opposing and those seeking the mosque) interacted and sought to promote their separate causes regarding the mosque. Other than that, the film does a very good job of summarizing the stigma that some groups, powerful figures, and media have cast on Islam since 9-11.

Otherwise, the film is very well shot, with excellent audio and topic titles. One drawback is that the film distributor notes a guidebook available at Choices Video, but when visiting the site, no link for the film was listed. I sent an email, but received no response or assistance in verifying the guide or locating it.