A coloring book depicting the events of September 11, 2001 is attracting criticism for what some call a "lack of sensitivity" in the way Muslims are shown throughout its pages.
"Every reference to Muslims has a negative connotation or has depictions of men with their heads and faces covered in scarves like stereotypical depictions of Arab men," says Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), an American Islamic civil rights group. "The book is very problematic."
The $6.99 coloring book, We Shall Never Forget 9/11(Really Big Coloring Books, 2011), tells the story of that tragic day, from the hijacking of the planes, to the shooting of Osama Bin Laden, in a format that encourages children 12-years-old and up to color its 36 pages as they read. The story refers to the terrorists as "radical Islamic Muslim extremists," a description that has provoked anger from groups, including CAIR and readers on Amazon.com.
"Children, the truth is, these terrorist acts were done by freedom-hating Islamic Muslim extremists," says a page in the book. "These crazy people hate the American way of life because we are FREE and our society is FREE."
However, publisher Wayne Bell emphasizes that the book's intent is to "educate and not to offend" and that his company consulted with people it felt were apt experts before turning in-house to write the narrative.
"We started talking to people we thought were appropriate on the subject matter, including firefighters, 9/11 workers, and teachers," he says. "They told us if we did this book, they did not want a politically correct piece of literature. They told us to lay the facts out as they are. And we simply go with the pure facts."
But Walid says it's the context of how the story is written and composed that he and others find offensive. He argues that the story is subjective and that leaving out other Muslims—including those who were killed and first responders—feeds into a negative stereotype. Walid also questions the motives of the publisher, pointing out that some of the proceeds from the book are going to Bridges For Peace, "a Jerusalem-based, Bible-believing, Christian organization," according to the publisher's website.
"I would find it repugnant if there was a coloring book made about the Jim Crow South, and it showed the Ku Klux Klan terrorizing African-Americans with the Klan called a white radical Christian group, and there were no redeeming characterizations of white people in the coloring book," says Walid. "Just like Al Qaeda claims to be an Islamic group, the Ku Klux Klan professes to be a Christian group in their charter."
Bell says the St. Louis, MO.-based Really Big Coloring Books has already sold out copies of its first 10,000 print run, and while additional copies have been printed, he may not continue making the book available after next week. The company, he goes on to say, is mystified by the global attention to the title, particularly since the images used in the coloring book are taken from photographs, which were put into graphic form—and that much of the language comes directly from words that were used by national media groups.
"We do say 'radical Muslim Islamic extremists' because that's what those men were," he says. "The book does not address Muslims, period. It does not address the Islamic faith. It addresses the 19 hijackers and Osama Bin Laden. Period."
This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping. Go here to subscribe.
This coloring book is just the sort of ignorant and
destructive nonsense that we should be safeguarding our
children against. I would recommend a total boycott, and
an apology from the publisher. The terrorists of 9/11, as
the article notes, are no more typical of Muslims than
the KKK is of Christians. Possibly less so.
Posted by Dave Bogart on September 8, 2011 01:43:24PM
"Children, the truth is, these terrorist acts were done by freedom-hating Islamic Muslim extremists," says a page in the book.
Who could argue with this?
On the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Islamic extemists are pushing a mosque near Ground Zero while telling us that no mention of the composition of the hijackers who MURDERED 3000 people can be made. Take your sensitivity elsewhere. The savagery of the freedom-hating Islamic Muslim extremist was evident that day.
Posted by Steve on September 8, 2011 04:53:10PM
I hope that as many people as possible will be able to buy this coloring book - parents, grandparents, teachers.
It is a shame that it will have a very limited publication.
Some people just can't look at the truth and recognize it, but instead will twist it and call it evil.
Posted by linda on September 8, 2011 03:22:36PM
Nonviolent Muslims are standing for the freedom to publish this coloring book. Where can I get a copy?
Posted by Mary on September 8, 2011 04:42:09PM
September 11th, 2011:
It is about mourning for the loss of beloved ones who perished unexpected: Terrorism conflict contend to purge the world by reckless actions: We mourn and grieve for our loved ones: There will be more mourning as we all will remember about Sept 11th, 2001. Terrible tragic took place in New York City: World Trade Towers: In the book of Zechariah 12: 10: Says, “They will look on me whom they pierced: And they will mourn bitterly. Jesus Christ was pierced by the wicked hands: We remember! Jesus Christ will return to Judge the world once and for all!! The Second Advent event is about the world’s corruption! God Judged the Ancient world’s corruption! And so God will Judge the Modern world’s corruption!
Let the world know that Jesus Christ is the ultimate Judge on Earth! Jesus Christ is inevitable! If individuals and humanity are to progress, Jesus Christ is inescapable! You ignore Him at your own wicked risk!
Posted by Rev. Dr. Athanasius-John T. Nkomo on September 9, 2011 10:26:01AM
September 11th, 2011:
It is about mourning for the loss of beloved ones who perished unexpected: Terrorism conflict contend to purge the world by reckless actions: We mourn and grieve for our loved ones: There will be more mourning as we all will remember about Sept 11th, 2001. Terrible tragic took place in New York City: World Trade Towers: In the book of Zechariah 12: 10: Says, “They will look on me whom they pierced: And they will mourn bitterly. Jesus Christ was pierced by the wicked hands: We remember! Jesus Christ will return to Judge the world once and for all!! The Second Advent event is about the world’s corruption! God Judged the Ancient world’s corruption! And so God will Judge the Modern world’s corruption!
Let the world know that Jesus Christ is the ultimate Judge on Earth! Jesus Christ is inevitable! If individuals and humanity are to progress, Jesus Christ is inescapable! You ignore Him at your own wicked risk!
Posted by on September 9, 2011 10:28:15AM
Key words: Radical and Extremist. These terms are mutually exclusive with "normal" and "ordinary". No one is comdeming Muslims in general. And no one can deny it was a very radical and extreme day.
Posted by Donna on September 9, 2011 09:04:00AM
I think this coloring book could have been done a with a little more taste. Not to sugar-coat it but to make it more appropriate for younger children, who still color in coloring books, and to use it as a conversation starter at home not a scary bedtime book.
Posted by ADB on September 9, 2011 12:50:50PM
Really! A coloring book for children. Wow, I do not want my children
coloring planes crashing into buildings, people carried from them, or any
of the tragic scenes from that day. I would not buy a coloring book called
car accidents to explain that to them either.
I'm shocked that the part people are upset about is comment about
Muslims. Reading the books and seeing the pictures is one thing.
However, coloring and enjoying doing so is upsetting to me. Hey mom
look what i colored in school today!
Posted by Terri Cook on September 9, 2011 02:23:11PM
I see it's subtitled "The Kids' Book of Freedom". Freedom
is a fine thing. What I would like is freedom from
religion (Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism,
Buddhism, you name it). Until we get that -- and it is
very unlikely that we ever will -- atrocities like 9/11
will continue to happen, and we will continue to
foolishly believe that they are somehow connected with
belief.
Posted by Joe D on September 9, 2011 02:50:52PM
I would absolutely buy this. As AMERICANS we need to unite. Not
as Muslim or non-Muslim or Christian or non-Christian.
Posted by Js on September 9, 2011 09:31:34PM
Did anyone else cringe at the poor grammar of "Islamic Muslims?" DOesn't the fact that they are Muslim already make them Islamic? Anyway, the concept of a coloring book meant for young adults (12 and up) is odd to me. Why not write a helpful, informative book written and formatted to a young adult level? This book seemed like a tacky plug for publicity, honestly.
Posted by Katy on September 14, 2011 10:37:42AM
Uhh -- Freedom of the press
Dawud Walid has a right to criticize the book, but not to call for the company to cease publication. Did he demand that CNN, and other news sources not mention that the perpetrators were Muslims?
Posted by Ti Bill on January 12, 2012 11:07:39AM
This is a truthful book about what happened on 9/11. The book is motivated only by sharing truthful responsibility. If you don't like it don't buy it. I bought it and I read it and and i like it.
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