CAIRO - In face of repeated atrocities made by some Western parties against Islam, its Holy Book and Prophet, a group of young Egyptians calling themselves ‘Lovers of the Prophet,' decided to produce a documentary film enlightening the world with the truthful image of the great Prophet of Islam (PBUH). To have their idea executed, they resorted to Al-Azhar, the most prestigious Sunni institution in the world, so as to have this film produced under its supervision. The film is entitled This is our Prophet and its young director Ahmed Khaled worked on presenting the Prophet Mohammed through the eyes and vision of some foreign persons, both Muslims and non-Muslims. Naturally, the film could not include the autobiography of the Prophet nor his Hadith (sayings), as this would require a full library of documentary films to be covered. Instead, it focused on conveying the impressions of some foreigners of the personality of the Prophet, who conveyed this great message of Islam to the world more than 14 centuries ago to spread in every corner of the globe. One of the guests participating in the film, was a British Christian. He expressed his conviction that the ideal way to overcome the stereotypes the world media perpetrates over Islam and Muslims is to approach Muslim communities in the Western world to get a truthful opinion about Islam and its prophet. James Sanderson also urged the people to read the sayings of the Prophet Mohammed to realise how his teachings radically differ from the deeds of some extremists today. Another guest was a Chinese Buddhist, Dingnan Wang who believes that the perfect way to restore good morals and give up the materialistic life of the majority of people are leading today in the world in general and China in particular is to read the great teachings of Prophet Mohammed. The film, which is produced in English with Arabic subtitled translation, could be considered as a first modest step to address the West and acquaint the world's peoples with the truthful image of the Prophet. More and more works, whether in the form of documentary or other films and books, should be produced about Islam and Prophet Mohammed and even his companions to enlighten the world with the veracity of this religion. We could even start a widespread translation process of some of the Islamic writings so as to assist non-Arabs; Muslims or non-Muslims to get deeper knowledge about the religion of Islam. It is true that the Holy Qur'an has been translated into many languages and become available to any one to read. However, people still need to know more about the Prophet's life, his Hadith, and his behaviour with his enemies before his friends, his personality as a human being, a husband, a father together with being a prophet and head of a state. Some books that even spoke about the companions of Prophet Mohammed could be very enlightening in showing not only the life of the early Muslims but also reveal the reflection of the Prophet Mohammed on the personality of those great companions. Still, the actual and most effective way of positively changing the world view about Islam is to give a good example. All Muslims, whether living in Muslim countries or as minorities in other countries could become preachers of their religion by providing a good model of the good Muslim. Andreas Camps, who speaks about his perceptions and experience of Islam in the film This is our Prophet, became a Muslim some four years ago. He was influenced by an exemplar of a good Egyptian Muslim, Hassan, who was working as a tourist guide to Camps while on a visit to the port and resort of Al-Quseir on the Red Sea. His unassuming and kind nature convinced Camps to seek friendship with him, driving Camps to make repeated visits to Luxor, the hometown of Hassan. After a while, Camps, the former teacher of philosophy, found real comfort and satisfaction of adopting Islam as a religion and of residing in a small village in Luxor where Hassan built him a house on land he inherited from his father. The significance of this story lies not only in having a German in the seventh decade of his life choosing to convert to Islam, but in the unique friendship that emerged between a European and an Egyptian citizen, despite the wide cultural differences separating them. This human relationship, based on mutual respect, is what the world needs to prevent sectarian sedition and religious wars. Unfortunately, these noble efforts exerted by some honest Muslims to make clear the shining image of Islam, are being spoiled by the foolish acts and sayings of some Muslim fanatics who have come to have a high profile in our regional countries after the emergence of the Arab Spring. Those extremists, especially the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafists, which have dominated the political scene now in Egypt and many other neighbouring countries, are giving the worst image one could get about Islam. The criminal assaults, conducted against some Christian citizens, their property and places of worship in Egypt last week, are the worst propaganda for the religion of Islam and its followers. How could one watch the attacks on Saint Mark's Cathedral of the Coptic Orthodox Pope and believe that Prophet Mohammed and his Caliphs instructed armies not to target a priest in his church, a farmer on his land, a woman, a child or an old person in wartime let alone peacetime? How could one imagine that the Prophet gave his oath to the Christians to protect their churches, cross and even personal possessions, and that he advised his followers to show kindness to the Copts in Egypt, specially for their connections to him through his grandmother Hager and his wife Maria? What is important here to emphasise is that, since Muslims first ruled Egypt, Christians have always been treated as citizens enjoying the same rights and duties as those of their Muslim peers, which matter should not change with the Muslim Brotherhood reaching rule.
