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TechnoratiThe distribution of 28 million copies of the controversial documentary “Obsession” this month has raised flags among Muslim groups and those concerned over the main areas of distribution – swing states in this year’s presidential elections.
“The Interfaith Alliance is profoundly disturbed to hear that 28 million copies of the three-year old film ‘Obsession’ are being distributed via special advertising inserts into newspapers through September,” expressed the Rev. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance, in a statement last week. “The film’s targeted distribution is focused on presidential battleground states, and the sponsor, the Clarion Fund a non-profit 501(c)(3), offers no public information on their sources of funding, board of directors, or membership.”
While Gaddy affirmed his group’s belief that everyone has a right to an opinion, the interfaith leader said “when a cynical attempt is made to influence our nation’s presidential election by stoking fear of one religious group we believe the media along with public officials, such as the Federal Election Commission, must establish who is trying to influence our politics through religious bigotry.”
“And,” he added, “if these individuals are indeed propagating Islamophobia to influence our election, we should establish this well before, not after, the election.”
Since the distribution of the pre-release edition, "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West" has generated intense public interest. Fox News ran a one-hour prime time special on the film nine times in two weeks due to the high ratings it received. It has been the talk of several radio shows, including CNN News, The Glenn Beck program, Fox News’ Hannity and Colmes, BBC/PBS, and many others.
The New York Times, NY Post and other newspapers also covered the recent controversy when administrators from Pace University attempted to prevent the screening of "Obsession," fearing Muslim opposition.
Produced around two years ago, Obsession uses footage from Arabic TV rarely seen in the West and interviews with former terrorists to inform viewers of the calls for world domination and global jihad that are made by Islamic leaders daily. The undercover footage shows suicide bomber initiations, the indoctrination of young children into hate and violence, secret jihad meetings and public celebrations of 9/11.
"Image after image, example after example... ["Obsession"] is shocking beyond belief..." stated Fox News’ Sean Hannity in a published endorsement.
According to its promoters, the documentary “shows that what the West perceives as seemingly isolated acts of terrorism are actually viewed by radical Islamists as integral parts of the global war they are waging against us.”
“You do not have to read between the lines here – their message is loud and clear,” they added, referring to the calls made by Islamic leaders as featured in the documentary.
But critics say “Obsession” does not clearly distinguish between radical Islam and mainstream Islam.
“Few would disagree that Al Qaeda and its imitators are ruthless enemies that the United States must deal with forcefully,” Ahmed Rehab, strategic communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), wrote in a column appearing in The American Muslim. Continue >>
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