Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door. CNN In America Special.
CNN In America documentary Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door reported by Soledad O’Brien is scheduled to air this Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 8pm ET. Please note other scheduled showings until April 2, 2011 are listed here. Soledad O’Brien follows the riveting story how the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro in Murfreesboro, TN received overwhelming opposition to their county approval to build a new 53,000 square foot Islamic center on 15 acres (which they paid in cash) this past June 2010. Their impressive master plan includes a school, gym, cemetery and a masjid (mosque).
This story chronicles the lives of two main characters:
Lema Sbenaty, a first-generation born white American of Syrian descent, is a 18-year old resident of Murfreesboro most (if not all) of her young life was the valedictorian of her graduating class who presently attends Middle Tennessee State University where her father Saleh Sbenaty is an engineering professor. A confident, out-spoken, proud Muslim young lady speaks eloquently at public hearings, and protested alongside non-Muslims who spoke for “freedom to practice religion” against the protesters to halt the building of the Islamic Center. At one point, Lema speaks openly against a politician when claiming that Sharia law will creep in which will include the oppression of women.
Kevin Fisher is a 45-year old single black parent, a resident of Murfreesboro for over 20 years who organized and led the rallies, opposing campaigns, and filed a lawsuit against building the Islamic Center, in which their attorney attempted to present that Islam is not a religion and was exposing unreasonable, unsupported claims to instill the fear of the practice of Sharia law. While passionate in his cause, it was obviously rooted in defensiveness (upset that he didn’t get enough notice, to speak against th approval of Islamic center), anger (walking out of the public hearings and armed with a blow-horn shared with the crowd that “we” filed a lawsuit) and fear or ignorance to Muslims as people and the religion of Islam (in his contradictory interview answers). Note: His ex-wife is Muslim.
Supporting characters that were equally strikingly chosen:
Imam Bahloul, the imam of Murfreesboro, TN who was equally well-spoken, despite having immigrated from Egypt in 2004 and taught himself English. His passionate leadership is demonstrated in the understandably emotional scene when they were walking around the arson fire that destroyed equipment, and gun shots were fired. Imam Bahloul also showed pure shock when receiving hateful cussing in the Center’s voice mail, yet shared his sadness with the congregation that these poor actions were hurting the children. However, despite all opposition he remains steadfast in his faith, is pleased with the outcome of lawsuit, and shares that while he knows that opposition will continue shares his optimism and notes that the Constitution will be on his side.
Imam’s wife, the only other Muslim woman interviewed, was born and raised Methodist who embraced Islam after 9/11. Also a well-spoken, confident white Muslim woman her loving views from a proud American and a devoted wife and mother shines when she talks often with tear-filled eyes.
Sally Wall, an influential Murefreesboro resident, successful real estate agent, was a major funder to the lawsuit. One would have to watch this documentary in full, as CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien displays with emotionless common-sense rebuttals and follow-up questions that exposes Sally Wall’s ignorance of Islam, her inability to back up her own defense, and laughingly-odd (to be as kind as possible) answers.
Kevin Fisher’s defense attorney. To further expose the overwhelming passionate ignorance of this Southern white educated man, having watched this documentary first with my three young Muslim daughters (the only Muslims in my family), my proud immigrant Thai Buddhist father, and my highly-successful white American Auntie K, the Director of English Learner/World Languages in the City of Stamford, responsible for 22 schools; and then watching it at the pre-screening with over 50 digital writers from all faiths, journalism, media, political professions and backgrounds–both rooms sigh, huffed, and coughed our blurts of laughter many times when this man spoke, let alone walked with his interesting array of “professional” attire.
The characters are classic with stark difference in opinions, that makes their physical make-ups (i.e., race) almost ironically unreal.
The “Ignorant Southerners” (as portrayed by the 2 main opposing characters detailed above) while possibly equal in wealth and education to their Muslim neighbors, are extremely defensive with no basis expect their obvious unresolved post-9/11 fears.
Whereas, the bright light shines on the highly-educated, confident, faithful, well-spoken, non-defensive, Muslims who are welcoming, optimistic and speak with passion stemmed from their faith in Allah, subhanallahu wa T’ala (May He be Glorified) and their freedom to practice religion afforded to them by the U.S. Constitution.
An emotional experience
- Be prepared for a mix of emotions throughout this extremely fast-paced one-hour show.
- The commercial breaks are sure to keep you eager not to leave your television set.
- Rather than share the full-range of emotions my colleagues, family and I felt throughout this documentary, my job today is to encourage you to watch or record this show and continue the dialogue that CNN dared to begin simply by producing show.
An educational social media experience
Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door – Educator and Parent Guide – Designed for Grades 11-12, post-secondary. CNN just posted this today, as an educational companion to this documentary. I feel very comfortable discussing most of the issues discussed, and have already shared much of it with my girls aged 7, 9 and 10 years old.
Soledad O’Brien will be tweeting live
During the debut, this Sunday at 8pm ET sharp. @Soledad_OBrien will be tweeting with the #musliminamerica hashtag.
CNN: In America. Muslim Unit.
Be prepared for my pre-screening follow-up post tomorrow, inshaAllah, God willing; where I’ll share my personal and professional views of the forward-thinking mission of CNN: In America. Muslim unit, their website, and social media efforts.
More Trailers
Follow the rest of “Unwelcome. The Muslims Next Door” series here
Part 1. The pre-screening anticipation.
Part 2. “Unwelcome. The Muslim Next Door” review.
Part 3. The pre-screening follow-up: Leveraging Social Media as an Educational Tool.
Part 4. Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door, the dignified struggle of Murfreesboro’s Muslims.
Part 5. Can social media make the world a more tolerant place?
Part 6. A Muslim and Non-Muslim Mom’s View.
Part 7. A single white Canadian mom new to Islam shares her view of “Unwelcome”
Part 8. Unwelcome Response from an Muslim African American Husband – Descendant of Slaves
Part 9. Win CNN’s “Unwelcome. The Muslim Next Door” Press Copy DVD – Not for sale
Part 10. Help Build the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro – Virtual Fundraiser
Watch it with us Live, April 2, 2011 8pm ET & tweet #musliminamerica
So, what do you think of the storyline? Intrigued to watch it this Sunday? Stay posted for tomorrow’s follow-up post, or subscribe to our RSS feed so you’re sure not to miss it.
Similar Posts:
- Unwelcome. The Muslims Next Door on youtube
- Can social media make the world a more tolerant place?
- Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door, the dignified struggle of Murfreesboro’s Muslims.
- Help Build the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro – Featured in CNN’s “Unwelcome. The Muslims Next Door”
- A single white Canadian mom new to Islam shares her view of “Unwelcome”
Category: Islam
Im getting really excited. I told all my family members about this and we have reserved that hour together to watch this documentary.
What really struck me about this trailer was how blown of an issue it was.Just an excuse for those to justify their hate agiainst muslims. Also, why does it only seem that fanatical conservative christians are the only ones spewing this islamaphobia in this trailer? ( Likely im wrong as a saw just a clip of the doc) i’ve personally ( i know its a bias opinion) witnessed such hate from just dumb ppl in general.
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Ponn Sabra Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 5:39 pm
I’m curious what you and your family thought about this documentary? Do you support the building of the Islamic center? If so, please help us build it!
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Good to know, we’ll tune in as well, Inshallah
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Ponn Sabra Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 5:39 pm
So, did you check it out Sarah? It re-airs tonight Sat. 4/2 at 8pm ET. Please share your thoughts!
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Please do not use the term “Ignorant Southerners”. Clearly these people are ignorant but in using this terminology you have shown yourself to be prejudiced against southerners and given the subject matter (intolerence, bigotry etc) it is unfortunate that you would use this blanket term that suggests southerners are backward and ignorant hillbillies. Ms. Sbenaty is also a southerner irrespective of her religion.
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Ponn Sabra Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Thank you graciously Annie for pointing this out. Semantics are very crucial to me, as I’ve written in great detail about this…I’m going to re-read/edit this right away, as I use perused it and couldn’t find it.
Okay, I found it, but in context of me explaining the stark difference in characters since it’s the next sentence to describe the main characters depicted above. But, just in case someone didn’t read the whole article, and to be careful not to assume that that assumption was evident, I put the phrase in quotations and added a description in parentheses just to be absolutely sure I’m covered.
Thanks again for bringing up this interesting point.
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this is really sad …
I see IGNORANCE all over this community and any political / officials joining those rallies against it are doing it to get elected… really sad way to get votes… Listen the young ones with strong voices…
This is America!!!! … remember back in the day the first americans stole this land from the native indians….we all dont belong here… so learn to share!!! sharing is caring…. not all Muslims are like those that attacked us.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!
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Ponn Sabra Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Thank you JCR.
As my proud immigrant Thai Buddhist father was watching the screening DVD prior to the CNN breakfast, my father brought up the very issue that you said “geez…what about the native Indians”…who are WE (let alone 4th generation white Southerners that Sally Hall claimed as her defense to being “her home”). Come on!
Again, as an immigrant my dad kept cheering the under-dog and could not get past the irony of Kevin Fisher who admitted has been a Murfreesboro resident over “only” over-20-years, and is a black single man. When my dad found out his ex-wife is a Muslim, dad absolutely lost it!
Thanks for commenting.
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Thank you for helping to publicize this documentary. I think many people will find it informative when they see it. Best wishes!
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Ponn Sabra Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 5:53 pm
It’s my honor and pleasure to publicize this documentary, and host this week-long series gaining as many unique perspectives as possible until tonight’s re-airing of the show. I’m so pleased by the outcome that I’m holding a [Reply]
People are so stubborn. I am not Islam, and regardless of what has been done in and around the world, other religions are as guilty for various crimes, such as HATE CRIMES. They are also as violent as others… but this agression is not based necessarily on religion.. it is based on one’s misunderstanding, mental issues, personal issues, and other problems, which cause this. Look at the American soldiers, who have been guilty for various crimes… and the beautiful thing about wikileaks, is that it shows proof of not necessarily articles.. but videos and audio. So, seriously, you racists, and those who discriminate against religions, colour, beliefs, values.. etc… we are all human living on the same planet!! Everyone is entitled to their own belief.. if one has one!!! Grow up, and educate yourselves by reading books.. and better yet, get aquainted with another person of another religion.. and learn. Dont let the media get to you!!
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Ponn Sabra Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Love your passion banadoora!
1 minor correction, you are “not ‘Muslim’” not “Islam”. Muslims are the people. Islam is the faith, religion and way of life.
But, here-here! Yes, read, educate yourself, meet others different than you and don’t be caught in the propaganda-type, sensationalized media coverage, that is often more dramatic that drama-movies.
Please continue to add to our community, I enjoyed hearing your voice!
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One of the things I walk away from after watching this is the need for communication both on the part of Muslims and other faith communities in a community.
We must know what each other thinks so that we can build bridges and get rid of the fear. Most of the trash I heard spewed tonight was done so out of fear and lack of understanding.
Communication is the only way to bridge the gap and listening ears and hearts.
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Ponn Sabra Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Subhanallah, very well-said (written)–now, why didn’t you add this to your guest post?
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I am a convert to Islam. I too, converted 9 months after 911. My husband I watched the movie tonight. Soledad O’Brien did a wonderful job at telling the story. I wish it were longer. I hope CNN documents & films more controversies.
Thank you.
Some ideas to follow: history of American Muslims & Contributions in art, science, and justice by Islam, American convert population multiplying #1 expanding religion in the world today, debunk false statements about Islam,intro to Islam, minimal crimes committed by American Muslims compared to other relgions & the economical/ educational status of American Muslims. I hope to see more stories. My heart goes out for the Muslim community in Tennessee & all around the USA. I am happy that the US Constitution protects freedom of religion. This is another reason why the United States is a great country.
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Ponn Sabra Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 6:06 pm
MashaAllah dear sister Alicia for having embracing Islam.
Yes, in , but couldn’t get it, so clips are continuously being posted in the InAmerica blog. We also discuss that it’s all supply and demand, the more we demand good reporting and documentaries, then they will be able to produce more. So, please continue to comment.
Next for all your wonderful suggestions, CNN was inquiring what you’d like to see as a follow-up and I ask that question in my press copy DVD giveaway post, so please kindly re-comment there. If not, inshaAllah, I’ll remember to send over your comment.
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I am of a minority race and I dont feel I am prejudiced. I do believe we all have the right to practice our own religion, but I do hold issue to a religion that segregates themselves from the rest of the community. If the muslims in Murfreesboro feel that the people of the community were welcoming when they first got there, then why not BE PART of the community and not have a SEPARATE community center for ONLY muslims. I believe that a mosque for praying is fine, but why the tennis courts, the gym, the swimming pool, and a muslim school. Why not join the YMCA or the Patterson Park community center of Murfreesboro?
Having a community center just for muslims is not BEING PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
I’ve seen this everywhere in LONDON, in INDIA, and in the STATES. once their population gets to a certain number they convulute and build around them shutting the community that is non-muslim around them.
we banned the KKK, and dont condone that kind of violence, but the problem is not the religion, its a certain group of people who hide behind it and call themselves fundamentally/fanatically religious but they are only terrorists, but how do we weed them out, when one of the members of the congregation thought it was fine to put up a picture condoning violence. yes, he was fired from the congregation, but he made it a public issue, how many members actually feel that way, really?
maybe the community have a racial undertone, but they are scared for their lives. on tv you saw the imam say that this was sad and they were scared, and that their children were experiencing such horrendous injustice.
well what about 911, what about the london subway bombings(I was there in the thick of it and dont wish it on my worst enemies), and what about the terrorist bombings in India. if the imam taught his own people that this is wrong, that a good muslim does not hurt, destroy or annihilate all who are not followers of islam, but he will not, as he cannot. he has to believe that nonbelievers are doomed and it is the job of good muslim to spread the world of islam and condemn nonbelievers….well christians do the same, only difference is the christians these days are not shown as terrorists.
its a hard truth that the imam will have to guide the young to be nonviolent or the hate and violence will never stop. if he can change the mind set of not using violence to quelch their thirst for the injustice there may be hope otherwise we are doomed.
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SM Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Also remember the boys involved in the london bombing belonged to simple good families in northern london. the boys were brainwashed and were just pawns to the schemes that everyone is so aware of that lead to the bombings in london that brought a lot of terror and fear amongst the good people that lived there. well it is really up to the local imams of all communities to spread peace regardless of religion, but again that is not realistic and not plausible.
as all religions have a certain rigidity that doesnt waiver from the time of their conception.
anyway it is about how the mentality of the young are now, and to be aware that there is a path other than violence.
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Dear SM,
Thank you for your detailed comments.
To address some of the issues, you addressed, I don’t know the community of Murfreesboro and don’t know what resources, community centers, etc. are presently available, but as a proud Muslim mom, I to question “to what extent” do we need a huge complex, but I do agree with the masjid for prayer, cemetery, library and resource center. Having been members of YMCA myself, all over the country, they have been extremely accommodating in making gender-segregated accommodations, such as swimming pools. So, there is a need to make Muslim Family recreational centers.
I have yet to see any Islamic center in the U.S. and abroad that segregates or doesn’t allow or welcome non-Muslims, quite the contrary. I myself have giving tours of Islamic recreational facilities and offered on behalf of the organization to share our resources with local churches and a Christian day care. So, I think a recreational and resource center can offer the community at large (not just the Muslims) great modes of community-building opportunities.
I will not speak for others or the obvious attacks that you speak that only highlight Muslims, because all religions, faiths, ethnic groups, etc. that you mentioned openly at the beginning of your comments are also at fault for brutal, corrupt, devastating, oppression, violence, etc. throughout the world.
However, I would like to add one last thing, as a proud American-born who embraced Islam in my adult life, I find no need for isolating my family (our girls) as you suggest above (which I totally condom with many Islamic schools in the West), and will not assimilate to the American culture that is against my faith, ethics and morals such as dating, alcohol, drinking, interest, debt, etc. all forbidden in Islam–therefore adding great societal value to America. However, if we educate our young to act according to the Qur’an and Sunnah we’re to be emulated, God willing.
As a proud homeschooling mom, active in dozens of coops, organizations, museum and library groups my girls and I are always the minority, the only Muslims in my recent Physics Day at a local Amusement Park with 150 + attendees. And, I believe this involvement in the community does so much more for my girls education, as well as non-Muslims as you suggest.
I’m proud that on any given day I host equal non-Muslims to Muslim on this site and equal males to females, but all primarily parents.
Thank you for your comments.
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if it came to religion or country …witch would you choose?
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Country then religion. I believe in safety of the masses first, regardless of the politics that is supposed to sheild their people and keep from general mass hysteria. I dont believe in any religion or philosophy that condones violence directly or indirectly. It is dangerous to follow religion blindly.
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To Mrs Sabra,
to be unaccepting of the american culture, i understand, but as long as you and your family are not against american law and constitution, it is fine.
Now my question to you is:
if you felt you had to kill for your religion, would you? And doing so go against your country’s law, would that be acceptable or unacceptable to you. What is your opinion regarding a life of a non muslim?
Im aware the religion finds your above mentioned characteristics as sin, well in other cultures they are issues not accepted by society. Our families teach us how to be good people, our religion gives us spiritual support. Not a way of life with specific do’s and donts. U didnt mention killing a non muslim a sin or killing a muslim who defends a non muslim? What is your belief there? Please understand these are not ignorant questions but issues that have risen around me living in various parts of the world. Ive met different kinds of muslims, some who are dear friends, so please dont take offense to my direct questions.
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