Islam: What the West Needs to Know (2006) User Reviews

Talking heads, but a well-argued message

[karlpov · 7/10 · 13 July 2006]

This one does seem to get extreme votes in one direction or the other, doesn't it? Production values are minimal. This is almost completely talking heads, a bunch of people telling us what they think we should know. Ms. Bat Ye'or's heavily accented English is subtitled. That's fine: she had something worthwhile to say. The most interesting speaker was an ex-PLO terrorist.

One bit which stuck in my craw was a survey of world trouble spots where Islam was involved, which included Bosnia, Kosovo, and Chechenya. Of these, I think it is inane to imply that the Bosnian massacres were at all the responsibility of the relatively unarmed Muslim population, which suffered the worst slaughter. I have less sympathy for Kosovars and still less for Chechens, but I've no doubt that responsibility for the violence in those areas must be shared to some degree.

Also, speakers were sometimes a bit silly about the uniqueness of Islam in allowing for some normally sinful acts such as lying. I'm sure Jews and Christians could find instances where lying is necessary as being the lesser evil.

Aside from that, the basic point, that Islam is a religion and a political system which mandates the subjugation of non-Muslims, which lacks the pluralist values we take for granted, was made convincingly.

Particularly useful in understanding Islamic thought was the explanation of how one Koranic text can supersede another. Thus nothing in the Koran can be trusted to be valid doctrine without a knowledge of everything revealed subsequently. And the Koran is neither arranged chronologically nor do most editions date the texts, so no one who has not devoted much study to the Koran and the history of its composition can know what doctrines are valid.

There was practically nothing in the film about the treatment of women under Islam, a matter which certainly merits attention. Muhammad's sexual relations with a nine-year-old "wife" were briefly mentioned.

All in all, the film justifies its title.

Thought-provoking

[james-mcdaniel1 · 8/10 · 18 July 2006]

I expected a politically correct apology of Islam. This seemed validated in the first 5 minutes: broadcast news clips of Pres. Bush, Prime Minister Blair, and Condoleeza Rice making official statements that Islam had been "highjacked" by extremists, and that the true religion had peaceful intentions. This was my perception of Islam before viewing the movie. The rest of the movie was a series of interviews with moderate-sounding college professors, journalists, and a former PLO fighter-converted-Christian who quoted from the Koran and their personal experiences that mainstream Islam is a radical religion and a political force intent on decapitating non-Moslems and conquering the world by violent force. There are many citations from the Koran and the hadiths, and references from the life of Mohammed to demonstrate the violent intentions of Islam. The movie is not meant to be entertaining, and so the transitions between interviewees and discussion points are abrupt, but the content absorbed my complete attention. It was never boring. It was a thought-provoking movie that has been constantly on my mind since I saw it 4 days ago. If the discussion points are true, then the Western world and its freedoms have been under attack by a nation (of Islam) that has no regard for geographic boundaries and no desire to live separately from us: they want world domination through violent force and not by friendly, persuasive dialogue or by demonstrating exemplary lives. If the points are true, we will soon be fighting for survival. I've been discussing the movie with friends, relatives, co-workers and Christian ministers and have been visiting websites to hear any alternative understanding of the religion, and to learn how a Christian should respond.

What you might expect

[marsman · 8/10 · 14 July 2006]

This documentary uses the Koran and a handful of experts to attempt to show the case that Islam is going to advance and use violence until a worldwide Islamic Theocracy is established. This, they argue, would necessarily require the downfall of Western Civilization. As there are some segments of Western Civilization that would not resist the encroachment, opting instead for peaceful coexistence, then there is a particular vulnerability in the West to these advances. This film is intended to be a due warning to foresee and avoid this fate, hence the movie's title.

Based on the evidence presented in the film, they make a very convincing case. The passages from the Koran and the historical events with which I was already familiar agree with my previous understanding. From this basis, the authors and experts build a very solid argument about Islam's goals and its pattern of behavior with its neighbors and non-Muslim societies. As others have pointed out, the film does not have any frills when it comes to production, but it does stay focused on the topic and is overall very cohesive. The commentary from the ex-PLO member was particularly enlightening and chilling. All the politicians who appear in the film are made to look like clueless idiots.

The natural questions then arise (at least in my mind) about how accurate the film's characterizations happen to be. I don't tend to take comments, even from experts, as gospel. One complaint I have is that the credentials of the experts were not given in the film. They did flash a brief caption about what book they had written, or what organization they were affiliated with, but no actual listing of qualifications to justify their role as an expert. Another complaint is that they did not cover the demographic roller coaster that Europe is heading toward due to high immigration of Muslims and plummeting birthrates of native Europeans. My final complaint is that they do not provide any statistics to indicate whether the concerns they are raising apply to a small minority of the Muslim world, a vast majority, or somewhere in between. This would have made their case that much stronger.

At present, I would consider myself tentatively convinced of their argument. It should not come as a surprise that the value of the documentary wholly rests on the accuracy of the statements made in it. If the statements are true, then the West will need to act accordingly. If the statements are false, then the filmmakers' agenda should be exposed. I plan to verify the claims in the film and to achieve a greater understanding of Islam in the process. I suggest that those concerned about the direction of Western Civilization do the same.

As an ex-Muslim, I can verify that this is the truth.

[jarzan2003 · 19 October 2006]

One of the basic fundamentals within Islam, (which I believe is the core foundation of understanding the Quran), is called; Nasikh or al-Nasikh wal-Mansoukh.

When speaking with people of Christianized/Western societies, Muslim activists deliberately hide a the major Islamic doctrine, "al-Nasikh wal-Mansoukh" (the Abrogator and the Abrogated). This simply means that in situations wherein verses contradict one another, the early verses are overridden by the latter verses. The chronological timing in which a verse was written determines its authority to establish policies within Islam. Non-Muslims cannot afford to be ignorant about the full implications of the Abrogator and the Abrogated Doctrine. When Islamic spokesmen say that Islam is a religion of peace and that the Quran does not support such things as human rights infractions, gender bias and terrorism, they are lying. This means that the Western politicians and liberal journalists, who continually spout that Islam is a noble religion of peace, are in reality propagating a deception that they have been deceived into parroting.

This doctrine is often left out of many teachings within Mosques today, but the fact is, the doctrine exists and is absolutely mandatory to understand in order to make sense out of the Quran. Otherwise you have a whole bunch of contradictions without any explanation.

This presents problems for naïve people who are not familiar with Islam and the Quran. They don't know that the surahs/chapters of the Quran are not arranged in chronological order in regard to the timing in which they were written. Therefore an activist who is out to deceive them can turn to various places throughout the Quran and read verses that sound peaceful, tolerant, reasonable and loving. The impression is that the entire Quran promotes peace, love, equality and tolerance for all. That is far from the truth. Most Muslims fully understand that the few Quranic verses that seemingly promote equality, peace and justice are more often than not overridden/ nullified by later verses that validate such things as murder, terrorism and legalistic restrictions on routine human and women's rights.

The shocking part is that the Islamic believer is indoctrinated to believe that these types of heinous acts against humanity are not just condoned by the Quran, but is their DUTY to carry them out with the threat of punishment or death if it is not believed and acted upon.

There is another doctrine that is called "taquiya" that is deliberately used by Muslim believers to deceive non-believers into thinking that Islam means peace. The same principle is used in the media. They are masters at turning their enemy against themselves, which is obvious if you understood how they operate. It is basically a military deception to confound the enemy.

Bottom line is, moderate muslims don't really know about their own beliefs. I have shown many muslims about Nasikh, and many have left their beliefs.

This movie explains much of the existing doctrines themselves. It may be shocking, but it is the truth. The West NEEDS to KNOW about the threat they are presently in, otherwise you will see a holocaust far worse than anything in recorded history.

KaZAamM

It's true: You NEED to see this

[pinkolivia · 9/10 · 9 July 2006]

I gave the movie only a 9 out of 10 because from a cinematic viewpoint, well, there is no editing or production value. This is truly a "film" of long segments of people sharing difficult concepts. Because of this, there is quite a strain on the viewer due to the sheer amount of information and lack of pauses for the viewer to really take the information in.

However, the point is made; the point (as far as I'm concerned) being: Westerners need to take a good, hard look at what the Q'ran/Koran really says. According to what is presented by those interviewed and verses from the Koran, Islam is not a religion of peace, but of world domination - no matter the costs of other's or personal survival.

This film brings to light a huge difference that I was not aware of between the western view of religion and the reality that Islam goes beyond our belief that faith is a personal choice and a private matter to something that is much more far reaching.

For me, I am still convinced that just as many (most?) Christians don't truly KNOW the Bible and pick and choose from it to make it more palatable, many Muslims do the same with the Koran. Which, ultimately, is what leads to most all religions having people at both ends of the spectrum with struggles within and without of their belief system, respectively.

Not matter what you believe, religiously or politically, this film has information that is important to be aware of.

Well worth going to see

[adriennebeth · 9/10 · 23 July 2006]

This was a mind-numbing account of what is written into the fundamentals of Islam. If it is accurate, it is frightening as can be. I wish the movie was still playing and that it will be shown all of the country, and the world. We are a nation wearing blinders of unworldliness. It has made me wonder about people I know who practice this "religion" and if they go home at night and stop being Americans behind closed doors. I also wonder if the speaker who was once a "terrorist" is for real, or if he is capitalizing on his life by selling his books. I googled him and found a lot of self-promotion which turned me off. He seemed sincere and credible in the film though.

Don't miss this one

[Columbasta · 10/10 · 11 February 2007]

Simple facts, stated clearly and convincingly.

Recommended for politicians all around the world.

The particular strength of this documentary is its educational value. The focus is on mainstream Islamic doctrine and based on Islamic sources it shows that the anti-democratic tendencies we are witnessing in today's Islam, have always been a core ingredient of Allah's cure for the whole world. This film does not replicate the error of the deeply flawed and in many ways false distinction between an elusive peaceful and even tolerant Islamic doctrine versus a tiny bunch of violent radicals. Osama basically followed in the Prophet's very own footsteps when it comes to violence. What amazes me is that in Islam the bloody violence perpetrated by Muhammed himself is presented with pride in their holy books. When after viewing this DVD you still persist in adhering to the slogan that states "Islam is a religion of peace", you deliberately choose not to take Islam seriously. Please take it serious. It's the least you can do. The political elites won't do it for you.

Remember Sept. the 11th. (Sept. 11th, 1683 that is...)

Kind regards from Amsterdam, forever city of Theo van Gogh

EDIT (2015): having said all this in 2007, I should add that the infamous "WOT" (War on Terror) will do nothing to counter violent (i.e. activist) Islam. It will only reinforce and extend the power of the welfare/warfare state and government curtailment of our natural right to freedom. So while I oppose Islamic doctrine, I also strongly oppose the War on Terror of the global political elites. EDIT (2020): one very important thing to realize is that the so-called anti-islam political parties and "grassroots" orgs are all fakes. Sponsored as controlled opposition by those who lead the controlled demolition of European nations (not states, there's a difference!). Take for instance this typical ContrOp clown in Holland, Mr Wilders. Financed from the US by neocon silverlings, this Israel first agitator will dutifully play his "populist" part, while making sure that the sane part of the Dutch electorate will never take his party seriously. The ContrOp category also applies to Mr Spencer himself (though as I said, the info is fine) and his JihadWatch org. Same goes for all of the other anti-islam "grassroots" sites. All fake, all Israel first bought & paid for good for nothing dead end streets.

Should be called "Fundamentalism: What the West Needs to Know"

[aragornfischer · 1/10 · 17 August 2008]

I have been using IMDb for years and I never wanted to get involved in the commentary of movies…until now. This documentary has so many problems that I hardly know what to say. I am not a Muslim, nor am I an Islamic studies expert, but I know enough to shed some light on the obvious one-sided viewpoint that this documentary espouses.

The problems with this movie begin with the fact that it is a documentary. Most of the documentaries that I have seen anchor themselves around a few valid points and then surround those points with debatable interpretations and misinformation. This is certainly the case with Islam: What the West Needs to Know. Yes, there are fundamentalists around the world, and some of them are Muslim, but to build a documentary about all of Islam around a small percentage of radicalized people is incredibly misleading. This is really a documentary about the fundamentalist aspects of Islam and nothing more.

For those who would like to more objectively explore some of the issues raised in this documentary, here are several points that may help.

There was nothing positive about Islam presented in the documentary.

The documentary focuses on the Middle East, but more Muslims live outside of that region. More Muslims live in China, believe it or not, than in Saudi Arabia. About 40% of all Muslims live in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Indonesia.

The translation of the Qur'an used in the documentary is a questionable one. I watched the documentary while viewing another translation and the differences were striking. I had been warned about the translation that was used in the documentary and now I know why. Surrah 98:6 is a good example. The documentary suggests that the Surrah says that disbelievers will go to hell. But the translation I have reads instead: "Those who reject Truth among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists will be in hellfire." The difference is that those who reject Truth are those people who know about God and the Truth of God and decide to reject it anyways.

The movie mentioned that there is no morality inherent in Islam, but this is not true. Although it is true that much comes from the Qur'an and Hadith, Islam also recognizes a concept called 'Urf or "normative behavior." Obviously what is normative can be interpreted many ways, but 'Urf is meant to be "good" behavior, what an average person would consider right or wrong.

The documentary presents Shar'ia (Islamic Law) as being one unified body of knowledge that all Muslims follow. This is simply not true. There are many Islamic schools of law and they range from progressive and modernist to fundamentalist in the way they interpret law.

The Hadith tradition is similar. There are thousands of Hadith and each school of law accepts some and rejects others. Using the Hadith without serious scholarship to determine which ones are accurate, real and applicable, is indiscriminately picking and choosing quotations from history that fit what you want to say… which is what the documentary did.

What I hope people realize is that fundamentalism is the problem, not Islam or any other religion. Christianity has fundamentalists that shoot abortion clinic doctors and so on. I know this is not the same as suicide bombing, just understand that the righteousness of fundamentalism is arguably the problem. If you feel you have THE answer, then everyone else must be wrong. But if you feel you have AN answer you can work together with other people's views about politics, religion, God, or whatever.

Compelling Documentary

[lockeu2 · 10/10 · 25 June 2006]

I saw this in Los Angeles at a preview screening. Probably the first film to tackle the relationship between violence and Islam. It uses real text to build its very methodical and, ultimately, chilling argument. It also uses top scholars and, in particular, the testimony of an ex-terrorist to draw you in. Doesn't even resort to manipulative music. This is both entertaining and sobering. The bottom line, it's a compelling and incredibly timely treatise on a subject that is not being accurately covered in the mainstream media. I hope that everyone sees this - either in the theaters or on DVD - importantly, we need our elected officials to see it.

Conservative diatribe for the politically challenged.

[groovinator · 1/10 · 27 August 2007]

The "documentary", and we use that term loosely apparently, summarizes that Muslims are trying to violently take over the world. Then states that any Muslim that doesn't admit this is either ignorant of their own faith or lying to your face! Also every person that is interviewed in the film has found a market for their ludicrous take on reality by selling claptrap to conservatives willing to let others do the thinking for them. What the West NEEDS to know is this is nothing more than propaganda aimed at mental midgets. If you are looking for an actual documentary on Islam and the current state of the Middle-East I would look elsewhere. Try something that provides multiple points of view from qualified sources.

Excellent documentary - Every must see this

[Fifteenthwarrior · 10/10 · 15 July 2006]

When I first heard about Islam , around 911 , I figured that is was just another religion like all the rest but I wanted to know a bit more about this so I read up on history and what I found was horrific.

The horrors, the savagery and rivers of blood that the followers of this faith have caused throughout the past 12 centuries and up to today are beyond belief. The barbarism is so intense that I must warn you that studying the historical trail of Islam is not for the faint hearted. Some say there are good followers and there are bad followers, but that makes no sense because the tenets of the faith are inherently evil, as they advocate the destruction or enslavement of the non-followers thus anyone who worships that, is by default evil.

On the subject of Islam (Mohammedanism) Winston Churchill wrote in his book "The River of War"

"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property, either as a child, a wife, or a concubine, must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities - but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. —Sir Winston Churchill pages 248-50

The film , gives us an overview of this frightening topic for those who have not yet taken the time to study the terrorism movement which absorbs the news headlines almost everyday, using the testimony of experts on the subject like Robert Spencer, Bat Ye'or, Walid Shoebat, and Serge Trifkovic.

The world needs more films like this.

Whoa.

[veggie1978 · 1/10 · 8 July 2006]

This film was more effective in persuading me of a Zionist conspiracy than a Muslim one. And I'm Jewish.

Anbody go to journalism school? Read an editorial? Freshman year rhetoric? These alarmist assertions, presented in a palatable way, might prove persuasive. But by offering no acknowledgment of possible opposing arguments, nor viable (or any at all) solutions, few sources and each of dubious origin, makes the argument an ineffectual diatribe.

And thank goodness for that -- I wouldn't want anyone to leave the theatre BELIEVING any of this racist claptrap.

A good lesson for me -- and hopefully a cautionary tale for you -- to actually read about a film before seeing it.

A true but chilling presentation of the Jihad & Islam.

[trolldown · 9/10 · 18 June 2008]

This documentary is an eye opener for all of the people who know a little or nothing about Islam, it's ways and it's theory. I'm sure that most of the Muslims who never understood Koran completely would be shocked after seeing this documentary.

The understanding of Islam of the West for decades is fundamentally wrong. The way they think of Islam as a peaceful religion is a blunder. Although it is a complicated subject, the way westerners treat Mujahideen as the people who are against everything what Islam stands for.. shows how ignorant the world has been about the subject. This documentary appears biased in presenting their argument.. but what they said is completely true and Koran is the proof. This is a must see documentary and everyone who wants to understand the mind of a present day fundamental islamist & Islam as a whole must watch it.

Everyone must watch this documentary

[oregon007 · 10/10 · 19 July 2016]

I have just watched this and I am absolutely speechless.

It is mind blowing. It is scary. It is a huge wake up call. It is your worst nightmare.

Islam is a violent, scary ideology and its dangers are laid out bare in this amazing documentary,

It is narrated by prominent ex-Muslims. The only people who are "allowed" to criticise Islam without being labelled Islamophobes. Their inside knowledge of Islam and the teachings of the Quran is incredible.

Everyone should watch this. And I mean EVERYONE

I have read the Quran and the Hadith. And to say I was shocked at what I found, would be the biggest of understatements.

I just cannot believe that (non Muslim) humanity is going about their daily lives , oblivious to what is happening right under their noses.

We need to wake up to reality and educate ourselves. Before its too late. And it might already be.

Watch this now and share. It is your duty - if you want to save the human race and this planet as we know it.

The most important movie ever made

[k_o_t_t_e_n · 10/10 · 9 January 2009]

This is by far the most important movie made in modern times. Never before have anyone taken the step to comment on one of the most evil religions that has ever existed. Islam is basically the worship of Mohammed. A warlord and mass-murderer that lived in the 6th century. The movie contains intervjuvs from former jihad warriors which have left the path of death and destruction to join the freedom in the western world. The movie might not explain the ideas of every Muslim around the world. It do explain the true original nature of Islam which is practiced by fundamental Muslims and explains the logic behind terrorism and suicide-bombers.

Quite a strained analysis

[[e-mail] · 2/10 · 7 July 2006]

Greg Davis and Bryan Daly take some crazed statements by a terrorists, add some commentary by a bunch of uber-right reactionaries, ascribe the most extreme positions of the most fundamentalist Moslems on the planet to everyone who calls themselves a Moslem, and presents this as the theology of Islam. Maybe their next film will involve interviewing Fred Phelps and the congregation of the Westboro Baptist Church, adding commentary by some militant atheist "scholars, and call their film "What the World Needs to Know About Christianity." Ultimately, this film suffers from both poor production values and lack of attention to the most basic standards of journalism. Don't waste your time and money; just turn on your AM radio and listen to Rush Limbaugh for a couple of days for free and you'll get the same message with the same level of intellectual analysis.

Pretty convincing...and frightening...analysis

[smith-19012 · 8/10 · 2 October 2015]

If you're interested in learning more about the extremist Muslim mindset, both from educated experts and firsthand accounts, with a focus on some of the guiding doctrine behind it, this documentary is highly recommended. The information in here is both broad an deep, as much as can be expected from a documentary film, and presented clearly and convincingly.

And here's a point from the film that deserves special consideration. Extremist Islam actually represents the religion in its purest form. The jihadists are actually practicing the religion as the doctrine dictates, as the leading Muslim authorities teach, and as its been practiced throughout most of its history. It's not individual sick people and societies, but rather the core of the Muslim belief system itself that drives war and terrorism. To paraphrase a quote from the movie: There are moderate Muslims, but there is no moderate Islam.

Admittedly, the documentary paints a one-sided picture of Islam, and I'm sure it has more sides. Doubtless, there is another perspective on all the points raised in the film and I would like to hear it.

But in reading over the negative reviews of the film on this site, I didn't see any very cogent criticisms. The gist of them seems to be, "Nuh-uh," or "The film is biased," or "Not all Muslims think like this." Those points are obvious. But the fact that nobody really challenges the points raised in the film head-on tells me there's likely a great deal of truth to it. If not ALL Muslims have the mindset presented in the film, at least a great many of them surely do, and it doesn't take very many to represent a grave danger to Western culture.

Anyway, watch it and decide for yourself what you think. But I suspect you'll learn more accurate information about Islam from this documentary than from Ben Affleck and the whole rest of the Western mainstream media combined.

NOT an objective presentation

[madisonwisconsinite · 2/10 · 20 December 2009]

It is not obvious from viewing this film (so I recommend viewers research the people who present their case in it) but this presentation on the realities of Islam, and its encouragement of violence and intolerance against all non-Muslims is lacking objectiveness, and also completely fails to factor in the human condition. It is one thing to document that the Koran says many things about how a devout Muslim is required to interact with non-Muslims, but any realist is able to realize that not every human who feels himself or herself to be a follower of Islam, will agree with and comply with all tenets of that faith and system. There is reason to call much about the presenters into question, such that viewers need to see the presentation with a healthy skepticism; don't swallow it all, hook, line, and sinker, without some thinking of your own.

One specific, for instance, is researching the person Walid Shoebat; who claims to be a former Muslim who perpetrated an act of terrorism in Bethlehem. There are many wise people in the world who believe neither of these assertions. I am not nor have I ever been a Muslim. I have never read the Koran. I am not a Christian, nor a member of _any_ faith. But I am an intelligent and discerning human. While the film is quite disturbing, in its presentation of how SOME Muslims view their obligation to Islam; I remind you that there is more to Islam than the views of the fundamentalists. Just as their are fundamentalists and evangelical Christians, so, too, there are variations in the intensity of belief and obligation among Jews and Muslims.

When you watch this film, you need to have the salt shaker on hand. One grain will not be enough, you'll need more. Please use your own mind and think for yourself, research what is presented, and evaluate the state of the world and how Islam fits within it based on more than what is said in 98 minutes of video. There is a common thread of political affiliation among those who put this film together, indicating a definite bias. Be your own brain.

A highly important voice in the wilderness

[take2docs · 10/10 · 14 October 2023]

Anyone who has studied and seriously reflected upon the works of modern-day intellectual greats like Ayaan Hirsi Ali ("Heretic," 2015), Joel Richardson ("The Islamic Antichrist," 2009), Bruce Bawer ("While Europe Slept," 2006), and Leo Hohmann ("Stealth Invasion," 2017) will understand exactly where it is this equally estimable and essential documentary is coming from.

Suffice it to say, that not every non-Islamist living in the West is oblivious as to what has been going on, and yet the sad and troubling fact remains that the majority of Westerners are or seem to be completely unaware, on account of their being uninformed and therefore misled, with this excellent and educational film hopefully acting as a wake-up call for such ones.

With that being said, any Muslim moderate in their faith may quite possibly appreciate this film as well, since it concerns and considers their own religious history and literature, and in quite some depth, such as some of the more unpleasant truths regarding the founder and the highlighting of some disturbing texts as contained in the Hadith.

Take for instance a passage here referred to that tells of a certain 6-year-old named Aisha and her relationship to the founder, as well as direct quotes taken from original source material that depict the founder in a most unfavorable light: as a warlord, first and foremost, who took no pity on captives and who was far from being a peaceful and tolerant person.

As the demographics of the world continue to dramatically shift -- as if by globalist design -- with Western democratic nations ever welcoming of immigrants from all walks of life into their borders, the question remains as to whether all who enter and settle in these idealistic melting pots are truly for multiculturalism themselves or rather for a totalitarian ideology, which they either seek or wish to impose on the host country, in accord with their theocratic faith and supremacist belief system.

We do well to listen to former PLO member and ex-Muslim Walid Shoebat as he defines jihad in both its literal and symbolic interpretations; a term meaning 'my struggle' and, as he points out, coincidentally the very title of Hitler's own book ("Mein Kampf"). Shoebat also explains how it is that lying or presenting a false image to Westerners is not only acceptable but often encouraged of a Muslim to do, as he admits to having done himself. There's an affecting scene that occurs just a few minutes after the half-hour mark that has Shoebat speaking for about five minutes, reflecting back upon his time spent as a would-be martyr and recalling the precise moment when it suddenly clicked for him as to the inhumane nature of his mission; this, a defining moment which helped to serve as a positive turning point in his life.

Aside from Shoebat, three other interviewees are featured rather predominately in the film: namely, Robert Spencer, Bat Ye'or, and Serge Trifkovic. The latter speaks of how Western political leaders, universities and the media, despite their good intentions, have shown themselves to be woefully ignorant as to the potential Trojan Horse operating in their midst, and how political correctness and PR tactics are being used much to the advantage of certain lobby groups and others either openly or covertly sharia-compliant in their thinking.

In the end, is it so far-fetched to imagine a time, perhaps a few decades from now, when a jizya tax is imposed upon a European or North American dhimmi class? With what is called 'civilization jihad' fully entrenched into the Western system, there are a number of alert social commentators -- cultural sentries, if you will -- who feel this is not so ridiculous a scenario as it sounds.

All this and more is examined in ISLAM: WHAT THE WEST NEEDS TO KNOW, with Serge Trifkovic getting in the final word and whose closing remarks as expressed in the final scene -- what amounts to a prediction of sorts -- appears to be coming to fulfillment even as I write this review...or then again, maybe not.

pretty sad...

[genuwineboy · 1/10 · 11 July 2006]

That's pretty ridiculous, I hope many people are exposed to Muslims who live all over the U.S, U.k, and all over the world. The religion has over a billion followers. I Myself born and bread in America and through my religious classes and teachings I have been taught to cherish my country and work to contribute to the society. I am very dedicated to the followings and teachings of my religion have been stressed through out life to educate and prepare oneself for success through education in order to contribute back to the world. I have know many Muslims from all over and I have traveled to countries like Pakistan..I have yet to meet one person who believes that we should hurt anyone or not accept any other religion except from the people in the media...I wonder why... Also its sad that these extremists are the ones the media use to represent a whole religion. Its a religion of one billion people, and these are less than one percent, I am sure the other people of other religions would not like to be represented by the KKK, IRA and many more which are simple small percentage extremists who use outdated and not literal passages from the respected books in order to pursue their own revenge, personal, or business matters through their so called religion

The video is a bunch of lies directed to confuse Americans about Islam

[yasin_abdulwali · 1/10 · 5 November 2006]

This video contains an outsmart way to confuse and manipulate Americans about Islam. It's a pity that the people who did it really believe that American people is so dumb to believe in it, perhaps, as an American citizen, every person must protest against this kind of crap. If you want to know the truth about Islam, don't let nobody tell you... THE QURAN IS PUBLIC! you can read it by yourself and decide if what they say it's true or false...

The video uses a lot of audiovisual strategies directed to manipulate and associate things that are not even related. The music used at some points prepare the public to hate what they see, even if they don't really understand what's going on in there. They use images that are misplaced from their original content.

To end the comment I would like to make a reflexion... Don't you think you can do the same exact movie with every religion in the world?

What the west really needs to know

[mejid00 · 1/10 · 1 June 2011]

What the west needs to know: these and others behind them shad tears of crocodile. The Rayzah (Jewish Tribe) were not killed on religious or racial grounds. None of the other Jewish tribes in the oasis either objected or attempted to intervene, clearly regarding it as purely political and tribal matter. Muhammad had no ideological quarrel with the Jewish people. He once said, "HE WHO WRONGED OR DESTROY A JEW OR Christian WILL HAVE ME TO ANSWER ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT." The men of Qurayzoh were executed for treason. The seven other Jewish tribes of Medina remained in the oasis, leaving on friendly terms with the Muslims for many years, and the Quran continued to insist that Muslims remember their spiritual kinship with the people of the book; " Do not argue with the followers of earlier revelations other wise than in a most kindly manner – unless it be such of them as are bent upon evil-doing – and say: 'We believe in that which has been bestowed from on high upon us, as well as that which has been bestowed upon you: for our god and your god is one and same, and it is unto him that we all surrender ourselves.'" (Quran 29:46) the context was taken form Karen Armstrong's book, Muhammad page 150-151.

So viewers, you can understand from this that Allah and the prophet tell the Muslims to be friendly and that Muslims have spiritual kinship with Jews and Christians. There is also an oath of the prophet on the Muslims not to hurt Jews and Christians. The creators of this documentary and others behind the curtain have a hidden agenda. They shad crocodile tears to convince us. Do not listen to them and blame the religion. Be wise and do your own research.

Wow

[axh-42476 · 1/10 · 15 October 2021]

Your all sheeps btw the media has gotten you. You have watched a one sided argument. Mostly Americans believe this but that's what I expect from them. I have to add 150 characters so I'll just say you guys are some gullible eggs lmao.