Here is the video – which offers a tremendous statement about stereotypes and the challenges of flying while Muslim:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Alsalman was on his way to a film festival in Washington DC when he was pulled aside and questioned. The border patrol took him to a holding area and he sat for hours.  They looked at his prayer mat and asked him if it was strange that he was an artist but he still prayed a lot. Alsalman was not sure of what to make of that comment. He simply felt that his faith was being questioned.  His pendant from Iraq was scrutinized and he was fingerprinted and photographed, not once but twice.  When he questioned why this took place a second time, he was told that the technology was acting up.

While at the airport, he was told not to look at his cell phone or to text anyone.  It turns out that his grandmother passed away while he was being detained, and his family was trying to reach him, but he did not dare take a chance looking at his phone during this time.

During his 5 hour wait, he said that another man was pulled aside for a review of his belongings.  This man carried in a large bag, it was opened and Alsalman saw a huge hunting rifle in the bag.  This person was allowed through within minutes, and all Alsalman could think about was the irony.  He wondered what would have happened to him had he transported a gun, even with a permit.

Alsalman describes the feeling of losing his identity during this process. From the minute he was pulled aside, he felt that his Canadian identity was lost.  His passport was taken from him and he did not even have the option to simply return home because he had no ID.

Alsalman stated that he made the music video (BEFORE he was stopped in Toronto) because he sensed that an Arab/Muslim life feels less valued than that of a Western’s life.

He said that many people laugh at some of the imagery in the video, but then stop themselves, realizing it is not at all funny.  He believes that it reflects the paranoia that many Muslims feel at the airport. Alsalman described the paranoia as, “Oh My God!  I’m going to end up in Guantanamo!”

This video is an excellent educational tool.  It can be used:

1)   As a vehicle to create dialogue about the challenges of being different or stereotyped when entering, and while in, the US.  It is also an excellent tool for examining slang using the lyrics of the song.

2)   In an ESL class – as there is plenty of slang to dissect in the lyrics.

3)   To discuss the politics of Guantanamo.

4)   In an exercise where students can create a video about stereotypes about other cultures, using an airport scene.  For example, what stereotypes might surface when an American enters a Muslim country’s airport?  Or a Canadian airport?

5)   To relay the power of music as a cultural informant.  How does music convey information about values, tolerance, roles of men/women, what we see above the surface vs. what is underlying?

The U. S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has announced a competition to identify potential host institutions for the inaugural 2010 Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program for Iraq. This 10-week program will bring cohorts of Iraqi scholars in select fields to U.S. institutions for faculty development, research, and other guided study activities. The program is designed to equip grantees with knowledge and tools to build the capacity of universities in Iraq and to advance the education of future generations of Iraqis. The program will lay the foundation for Iraqi scholars and their U.S. hosts to develop long-term institutional relationships and areas of cooperation that can be sustained after the grant period. The Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) will administer the program on behalf of the Department of State and is pleased to offer this opportunity for U.S. institutions to apply to host the scholars in the summer of 2010.

The application requires a written proposal, which is due to CIES by January 18, 2010. Note that hosting institutions will need to offer particular strengths in the areas of focus—education, management/business administration, science and technology (including engineering), linguistics (focus in ESL) and public health—and will include research universities, liberal arts colleges and comprehensive universities.

For more information, visit http://www.cies.org/Fulbright/Iraq/