The Education of Mohammad Hussein

"The Education of Mohammad Hussein" is a profound documentary that unfolds in the heart of Detroit, the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. This insightful 2013 film, directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, meticulously highlights the pivotal moments in the life of a ten-year-old Muslim boy named Mohammad Hussein after whom the film is titled.

Setting the stage, Detroit is presented as a city teetering on the brink of bankruptcy and battling a significant rise in anti-Muslim sentiment. Among its inhabitants is a substantial populace of a diverse Muslim community, including Mohammad Hussein and his family. The focal point of the film is the Al-Ikhlas Training Academy, a traditionally African-American Muslim school in Detroit, where the young protagonist spends his daily academic hours.

In 30 insightful minutes, the documentary paints a comprehensive picture of Mohammad's life amidst juxtapositions of cultural connectivity and social disparity. It candidly captures his navigation through the complex terrains of coming-of-age, education, and religion in a predominantly Islamophobic society. As the narrative subtly focuses on his experiences in school, the perception of the teaching methodologies oriented towards Muslim studies, and how they shape young minds, the storytelling becomes increasingly nuanced.

The filmmakers, Ewing and Grady, take an observational approach with the narrative, maintaining a neutral lens and allowing the audience to form their judgments. This storytelling decision proves effective as it colonizes the audience into the pressurized microcosm that encapsulates Mohammad's life. The calm and resilient spirit of the young boy comes across vividly as he tacitly manages the conflicting worlds of his religious identity and American surroundings.

At the core of the film lies the relationship between the evangelical Christian community and the Muslim community, which is left strained due to the terror events involving the Islamic outfits. Intriguingly, the documentary doesn't aim to resolve the tension between these communities, but instead seeks to present it to the audience in its raw, authentic form. It delves into narratives about terrorism spreading fear and causing palpable distress among the parents and students of the school, especially as it is located a few miles from the largest mosque in America.

Throughout the film, the directors also touch upon peripheral stories that provide perspective on the socio-cultural landscape that the subjects inhabit. For example, they briefly explore the lives of two African-American sisters who converted to Islam due to its disciplined way of life. These sub-narratives add depth to the understanding of the broader Muslim community’s adaptation to American life while shaping the cultural consciousness of young children.

Visually, the film is a tapestry of images that are seemingly normal yet carry significant weight. Tender moments of children engaged in study or prayer are juxtaposed against shots of the surrounding city peppered with dilapidated buildings and desolate streets. These images strongly symbolize the stark divide between the peaceful world within the school and the harsh realities of the outside world, seen through the heavy-laden eyes of the young protagonist.

The documentary does not shy away from showing raw emotions of fear, distress, uncertainty, and prejudice. Yet, it also showcases instances of individual and community resilience against these tides. Despite limited runtime, and through the visually aesthetic and emotionally striking narrative, the film molds an immersive experience that leaves an indelible impact.

"The Education of Mohammad Hussein" is not just an exploration of a boy's growth in post-9/11 America, but it is also a commentary on the state of multicultural education and religious tolerance. It subtly poses potent questions and leaves it up to the audience to mull over them, thus making it not just a viewing experience but an opportunity for a wider dialogue.

The film strengthens its objective by ending on a hopeful note, showcasing the natural resilience and optimism that children harbor, regardless of the social and political climate they are nurtured in. This potent documentary is not just a mere watch but a force that provokes powerful introspection about the world of religion, education, and cultural disparity.