Students questioned at Rutgers University and featured in a film by Aymann Ismail confirmed the hostility and misunderstanding many Muslim Americans face in the aftermath of 9/11.
22-year old Ismail uses film as a means to combat ignorance and stereotypes.
“Being a Muslim in America means you are part of a very tightly knit community that is under attack constantly,” Ismail observed. “Whether it be on television dramas or the news, Muslims are painted in a light that makes them look violent and uncivil … I am proud that I am both a Muslim and an American, and I want to use my talents as an artist to help change the minds of as many Americans as possible who have false information about Muslims.”
Ismail hopes the answers he gets from Rutger students to his questions will promote both dialogue and deep thought. You can see a clip from his film and a more thorough discussion of some of Ismai’s questions and the answers he gets in The Huffington Post