Monday, February 15, 2010

My Name is Khan - The power of art

Art is not the possession of the few who are recognized writers, painters, musicians; it is the authentic expression of any and all individuality. Those who have the gift of creative expression in unusually large measure disclose the meaning of the individuality of others to those others. In participating in the work of art, they become artists in their activity. They learn to know and honor individuality in whatever form it appears. The fountains of creative activity are discovered and released. The free individuality which is the source of art is also the final source of creative development in time.

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We have entered into the age of twitter, facebook, blogs, movies at the convenience of our home theaters, etc. but no matter how advanced we become in the field of communication and technology there is one thing that will remain constant; the power of art to conspire and inspire.

Today I spent 2.5 hours watching the brilliant Karan Johar film My Name is Khan, I will not disrespect the movie by discussing how effective the plot was, or the character or the screenplay or even how "real" it was but all I know is I am once again touched and inspired by art. In my 20 years I don't think I've cried watching a movie because it touched my soul, except for MNIK.

It centers around Islam, humanity and 9/11 and the struggle of one mentally disabled man, for a full synopsis of the movie a simple google search will suffice but all I know is after watching this movie I am ashamed at the times I felt lazy to do wudu and pray but sat through youtube buffering of my daily shows while people everywhere are dying, targeted, victimized in the name of religion, race, etc. I feel ashamed of myself for ever staying silent or uncomfortably laughing at a joke that was  disrespectful while these jokes can become the death call of so many humans around the world.

I know I am not a bad person or a bad Muslim but I do want to be a better person a better Muslim and these are not mutually exclusive, in fact to be a good person IS to be a good Muslim. Ignorance is abundant and there will never be a shortage of it but on the flip side the power of education is abundant and in surplus. If you ever found yourself questioning Islam after 9/11 or any attacks and wondered how can Islam be a religion of peace then pick up a Koran and read its english translation and the answers will be clear. I know I won't succeed in spreading knowledge about Islam in the right pure justice it deserves because not everyone has an open mind or open ears but I know I will educate myself, I will be firm in my beliefs and I will defend my morals, value and my Allah.

If you ever found yourself questioning any religion, don't go only to wikipedia or google or any news channel to find the answer but learn about it from its primary source - The Holy Scriptures itself. This movie has truly provoked inside me something I have been feeling for a very long time; this desire to become better then good. The power of art is one that never fails to resonate within my soul and leave me in a puddle of hope.

"Good people and bad people, and that is the only difference" - Rizwan Khan in My Name is Khan
and one final teaching from the Holy Quran
the taking of one innocent life is like taking all of Mankind... and the saving of one life is like saving all of Mankind" - Holy Qur'an, 5:33.