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moving Tehran
There is a renewed push on to move the capitol of Iran from Tehran to….somewhere else. The stated reason for it is that Iranian seismologists have been clamoring for years about the potential for disaster as the city lies on over 100 fault lines. Skeptics say it is just another move by the powers that be to try and get away from the liberalism in what is the Middle East’s largest city (population 12 million).
But who is to say? I think that politics aside it kind of makes sense to try and make sure that the heart of a nation is someplace where it is not in danger of randomly falling in. And I think, what the skeptics miss, is that the Liberalism will follow the capitol. Its why there are no strong pockets like it in other cities in Iran. What good is it to be a rabble rousing liberal in a place where decisions are not made?
But something is coming to pass that is going to prove to be very interesting, both to the so-called Islamic world and non-Islamic alike. Approval has been given (at least on the money and studio side) to make an epic movie on the life of the prophet Mohammed. An I am not talking about “approval has been given to make a little movie that will never see the light of day outside a mosque.” I am talking about the producer of “The Matrix” and “Lord of the Rings” has the project in the pipeline as they say.
From an artistic point of view I am really interested in how they will handle the fact that you cannot show Mohammed on screen. Plus, being familiar with his life and the Koran, I think it would make an amazing cinematic experience.
From a realistic point of view, I think trouble is a’brewing and wonder how on earth they are going to negotiate the many different interpretations of Islam. I mean, will this turn into another film like “Mel Gibson’s Excellent Gospel Adventure” or will it become more of a “Ten Commandments” which transcended specific beliefs and told a story that most any one could relate to because it managed to straddle belief and archetype.
It will be interesting to see.
It will also be interesting to see because there is a subtle push, especially in Iran, to redefine Islam into that which is “acceptable” and that which is considered a “fringe movement.” The powers that be, in the name of closing down radical Wahhabism, are closing pretty much any mosque that does not support a form of Islam that is deemed acceptable to the state.
Funnily enough, it is the US that is raising its voice in the UN saying that the actions of Iran towards these mosques are in violation of the international codes to protect religious freedom.
But that is the nature of our country. We are contradictory. We promote islamaphobia and in the same breath cry foul if it is threatened.
Like that Doctor in Texas who went to interview for a job with CAIR and was informed that her Hajib violated their “no hats” policy, only to have a very, very red faced administration apologize and offer her a pick of jobs saying that they needed to train their employees on the difference between dress codes and religious protection.
Sometimes discussions start by stepping on toes, rightly or wrongly.
But what draws me to the idea of this movie is it can be a powerful bridge between two worlds. The idea that one can express the nature of Islam without promoting one kind over another is sort of vaguely naïve, but the motivation is in the right place. Here is an epic story that if you strip it of the words and names that have become so polarized and politicized can speak to the world. The prophet with a message who overcomes his own life to give and teach others is one of the most powerful archetypical stories in human history and almost all major religions have a version of it at their core.
The secular world has “star wars, “ then there is Buddha, Christ, Krishna and Mohammed.
Almost makes you wonder if there was some kind of cosmic fertility treatment and out popped the octuplets of religion.
But a part of defusing fear is learning how to take it from within and put it without. Like talking about a nightmare with a child, by speaking of the nightmare outloud, it becomes less frightening.
Ok…now I am sliding into ramble. The mad kitten is under the impression that we are getting up at 4am again. I had to split the cave into 2 sections to increase the warmth in the bed and work area. She slept so soundly and then woke up and started petting my (still tender) nose until I woke up. At least this way, with the cave split up, I can keep the door open, even though it is only 35 out and still be cozy while she does whatever it is mad kittens do in piles of cold cold grass in the dark.
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But who is to say? I think that politics aside it kind of makes sense to try and make sure that the heart of a nation is someplace where it is not in danger of randomly falling in. And I think, what the skeptics miss, is that the Liberalism will follow the capitol. Its why there are no strong pockets like it in other cities in Iran. What good is it to be a rabble rousing liberal in a place where decisions are not made?
But something is coming to pass that is going to prove to be very interesting, both to the so-called Islamic world and non-Islamic alike. Approval has been given (at least on the money and studio side) to make an epic movie on the life of the prophet Mohammed. An I am not talking about “approval has been given to make a little movie that will never see the light of day outside a mosque.” I am talking about the producer of “The Matrix” and “Lord of the Rings” has the project in the pipeline as they say.
From an artistic point of view I am really interested in how they will handle the fact that you cannot show Mohammed on screen. Plus, being familiar with his life and the Koran, I think it would make an amazing cinematic experience.
From a realistic point of view, I think trouble is a’brewing and wonder how on earth they are going to negotiate the many different interpretations of Islam. I mean, will this turn into another film like “Mel Gibson’s Excellent Gospel Adventure” or will it become more of a “Ten Commandments” which transcended specific beliefs and told a story that most any one could relate to because it managed to straddle belief and archetype.
It will be interesting to see.
It will also be interesting to see because there is a subtle push, especially in Iran, to redefine Islam into that which is “acceptable” and that which is considered a “fringe movement.” The powers that be, in the name of closing down radical Wahhabism, are closing pretty much any mosque that does not support a form of Islam that is deemed acceptable to the state.
Funnily enough, it is the US that is raising its voice in the UN saying that the actions of Iran towards these mosques are in violation of the international codes to protect religious freedom.
But that is the nature of our country. We are contradictory. We promote islamaphobia and in the same breath cry foul if it is threatened.
Like that Doctor in Texas who went to interview for a job with CAIR and was informed that her Hajib violated their “no hats” policy, only to have a very, very red faced administration apologize and offer her a pick of jobs saying that they needed to train their employees on the difference between dress codes and religious protection.
Sometimes discussions start by stepping on toes, rightly or wrongly.
But what draws me to the idea of this movie is it can be a powerful bridge between two worlds. The idea that one can express the nature of Islam without promoting one kind over another is sort of vaguely naïve, but the motivation is in the right place. Here is an epic story that if you strip it of the words and names that have become so polarized and politicized can speak to the world. The prophet with a message who overcomes his own life to give and teach others is one of the most powerful archetypical stories in human history and almost all major religions have a version of it at their core.
The secular world has “star wars, “ then there is Buddha, Christ, Krishna and Mohammed.
Almost makes you wonder if there was some kind of cosmic fertility treatment and out popped the octuplets of religion.
But a part of defusing fear is learning how to take it from within and put it without. Like talking about a nightmare with a child, by speaking of the nightmare outloud, it becomes less frightening.
Ok…now I am sliding into ramble. The mad kitten is under the impression that we are getting up at 4am again. I had to split the cave into 2 sections to increase the warmth in the bed and work area. She slept so soundly and then woke up and started petting my (still tender) nose until I woke up. At least this way, with the cave split up, I can keep the door open, even though it is only 35 out and still be cozy while she does whatever it is mad kittens do in piles of cold cold grass in the dark.
>
Buy http://www.amazon.com/Demon-Providence-d%C3%A9mon/dp/1449526756/ref...">The Demon of Providence on Amazon.com
Video Release: October 2009copyright 2000-2009 Cassandra Tribe.
All rights reserved. For permission to use any of this material please contact info@loveandwords.com
cassandra tribe is a member of newsy.com
All rights reserved. For permission to use any of this material please contact info@loveandwords.com
cassandra tribe is a member of newsy.com
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