By Niraj Warikoo
Claiming Dearborn is a center of radical Islam, organizers of a controversial film on Muslims are offering a free screening of their documentary in the city today.
Local religious leaders said the timing -- on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks -- and locating it in Dearborn are part of a divisive publicity stunt.
Called "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West," the documentary focuses on Islamic extremism, but critics say it's biased. The film's producers and backers said through a spokesman they chose Dearborn and the Sept. 11 date for the screening because of its sizable Muslim population.
"There is a problem with an acceptance of radical Islam in Dearborn more so than anywhere else than I know of," said Joe Wierzbicki, a spokesman for a California-based public relations company hired to promote the film.
But some Dearborn residents and religious leaders say the film's backers are unfairly slandering the city and Muslims by screening it there on Sept. 11. They urge residents to ignore it.
"It's a clear agenda to spread hate," said Victor Begg, a Muslim activist who chairs the Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan.
Brenda Rosenberg, a Jewish activist from Bloomfield Hills active in interfaith work with Christians and Muslims, also criticized the film and screening.
"We're feeding the fire by focusing on hate," she said. "We need to come together instead."
The screening is set for 6 p.m. at the AMC Star Fairlane 21 in Dearborn. A theater spokesperson did not respond to a call seeking comment.
Claiming Dearborn is a center of radical Islam, organizers of a controversial film on Muslims are offering a free screening of their documentary in the city today.
Local religious leaders said the timing -- on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks -- and locating it in Dearborn are part of a divisive publicity stunt.
Called "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West," the documentary focuses on Islamic extremism, but critics say it's biased. The film's producers and backers said through a spokesman they chose Dearborn and the Sept. 11 date for the screening because of its sizable Muslim population.
"There is a problem with an acceptance of radical Islam in Dearborn more so than anywhere else than I know of," said Joe Wierzbicki, a spokesman for a California-based public relations company hired to promote the film.
But some Dearborn residents and religious leaders say the film's backers are unfairly slandering the city and Muslims by screening it there on Sept. 11. They urge residents to ignore it.
"It's a clear agenda to spread hate," said Victor Begg, a Muslim activist who chairs the Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan.
Brenda Rosenberg, a Jewish activist from Bloomfield Hills active in interfaith work with Christians and Muslims, also criticized the film and screening.
"We're feeding the fire by focusing on hate," she said. "We need to come together instead."
The screening is set for 6 p.m. at the AMC Star Fairlane 21 in Dearborn. A theater spokesperson did not respond to a call seeking comment.
Source: Freep
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