c. 2003 Religion News Service

(Professor Akbar S. Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University in Washington, D.C., is author most recently of “Islam Under Siege: Living Dangerously in a Post-Honor World,” published by Polity Press.)

(UNDATED) In the summer of 2001 there was a great deal of Muslim interest in New York. Some young men planned murder and mayhem on an unprecedented scale.

Others, unknown and unrelated to this group, took the opposite tack. One such group led by a young man, Babar Ahmed, was creating a work of art to pay tribute to New York.

Babar was shooting “Genius,” his first feature film. “Genius” was entirely financed by Pakistani Americans keen to promote understanding of the culture in which they lived. Their act of genius was to have faith in Babar. In particular, Ali Javed, a generous and learned New Yorker, stood by Babar’s project like a rock.

Slowly, laboriously, but with tenacity Babar had developed the script and arranged the finances. Painstakingly and with integrity he shot the film. This was a shoestring operation and Babar was the office, the scriptwriter, the producer and the director _ he and the crew deferred their pay until the investors were paid.

“Genius” is an easy film to watch. It does not strain to make a point. It does not have a hint of Muslim politics or anger or polemics. It does not even have Muslim characters.

But “Genius” is made entirely by a Muslim supported by other Muslims with a South Asian background. They had taken a huge risk.

The film is set in a culture different to theirs. A young American in New York with learning problems is at the heart of the story. His relationship with his teacher and his father had to be right. So did the language.

Finished in 2003, “Genius” was shown at the Sedona International Film Festival, and then given the Best Feature Film Award at Valleyfest Film Festival in Tennessee in April.

The movie instantly received several distribution offers and was picked up by a premiere independent distributor, Delta Entertainment/MTI Home Video. The movie will be released in Hollywood video stores nationwide on DVD and video in May.

And what a journey Babar was making. Born 29 years ago in Peshawar, a city shaped by its location at the mouth of the historic Khyber Pass, a prince of the royal house of Swat (his ancestors include the legendary Akhund of Swat immortalized by Victorian Edward Lear in the lines “Who or why or which or what is the Akhund of Swat?”), Babar is now planning his next movie in Hollywood.

En route Babar had studied at Burn Hall in Abbottabad and Aitchison College, two of the finest schools in Pakistan, and then at the famous private Leys School in Cambridge. He graduated with distinction from University College, London University, and got a master’s in development studies at King’s College, Cambridge University. Here he was registered for a Ph.D. program and it appeared that a future investment banker living a 9-to-5 safe and comfortable life was being prepared.

Then he shifted direction and headed for the New York Film Academy. There he would excel in advanced filmmaking at New York University. He fell in love with the city and one day he would express his affection on the screen.

Babar shot his first film, “Mother and Son,” also in New York. It was a short film but was noticed. It was selected for 15 international film festivals, picking up two awards on the way. Babar then worked as co-producer on “Jinnah” starring Christopher Lee and James Fox. Babar was able to observe closely the working of a major feature film. He learned valuable lessons that would stand him in good stead for his project.

On Sept. 11 there was tragic loss of life. There was also a loss of Muslim self-confidence in the United States. Babar’s low-key film about a New Yorker struggling with dyslexia was an unlikely candidate to kindle community pride.

But this is exactly what it has begun to do. Dr. Parvaiz Malik, a leading physician and president of the Islamic Center of New Jersey, who had supported Babar, sent an e-mail in April to the community throughout the United States:

“Dear Everyone:

“`Genius’ wins the best feature film award in Tennessee. In these `down days’ for our communities, it is indeed an uplift. We are very proud to have a Muslim `genius,’ Babar Ahmed, receive such an honor. Adeeba and I are very delighted to hear this news and convey our hearty congratulations to Babar and all those who believed in him and his abilities and invested in this movie. We wish Babar Godspeed and more success.”

Muslims or non-Muslims, black or brown or white _ Babar’s film forced all to confront their common humanity.

So when critics of Islam next ask:

“Do all Muslims hate America and wish for its destruction?”

“Do all Muslims hate art?”

“Is it true Muslims can never understand, appreciate or contribute to American culture?”

The answer needs to be: no, no and no.

Give them the example of Babar Ahmed, creator of “Genius” and I suspect something of a genius himself.

But perhaps I’m a teeny bit prejudiced: I’m his proud father.

DEA END RNS