Iowa City Muslims offer mixed views on Middle East protests over American video

Mariam Elhattab wanted to “clear the air” in Iowa City after a now-infamous anti-Muslim video made in America sparked uprisings in the Muslim world.

Elhattab wanted to answer questions from Iowa City’s non-Muslim community. But she, along with her sisters from the Mosque, waited as no Iowa City residents showed up to the women-only discussion session at the Mosque on Sept. 22. The University of Iowa sophomore said she was very disappointed.

Amidst all the controversy surrounding the video, some Muslims in Iowa City said they believe the worldwide protests are taking it too far and, more importantly, are against Prophet Muhammad’s teachings.

“You can’t kill an innocent soul in Islam,” said Doaa Elgaali, a UI freshman, who believes the protests are becoming irrational.

She asserted most Muslims have similar opinions on the protests, but believed the media is “not out to show people what is good in the world.”

“It is a bad film, but I don’t expect everyone to love my religion just because it is the most perfect thing to me,” said the Sudanese- American who spent half her life in Saudi Arabia. “And moreover, if someone makes a video degrading my beloved Prophet, I don’t care, because I know the truth.”

Elhattab — who has hopes of re-hosting the discussion session — condemned the killing of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, calling it un-Islamic.

“Honestly, this is the stupidest thing I have ever seen in my life,” said the Egyptian American. “In Islam, a messenger or an ambassador is never supposed to be touched or killed, so it is very disappointing to see this happen in a Muslim country.”

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