A Tribute to the Legend
Moustapha Akkad
1933-2005

Moustapha Akkad directing Anthony Quinn in Omar Mukhtar: Lion of the Desert.

The tragic death of Moustapha Akkad and his daughter Rima surprised the Arab-American community in California and nationwide. He was a distinctive leader active in major Arab-American causes and issues. The following report is a tribute to the memory of legend:

Moustapha Akkad, 72, and his daughter Rima Akkad Monla, 33 were among the 58 people killed at the Hyatt Hotel in the triple bombings in Amman, Jordan, Nov. 11, 2005, that left scores of others injured.
Akkad was in the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel with his daughter Rima who had just arrived from Beirut that same night, when the blast hit the hotel. Rima was killed instantly and Moustapha suffered a heart attack and internal injuries as a result of the explosion.
Akkad was best known for producing all eight films in the famed "Halloween" horror film series. In addition he produced and directed "The Message" 1977, and "Lion of the Desert" 1981, to bring the story of Islam to the west. Both films starred Anthony Quinn.
Rima, daughter of Moustapha and Patricia Akkad, grew up in Los Angeles. She was an avid polo player who graduated from the University of Southern California in 1995, with a degree in international relations. She pursued a Master’s Degree in Middle East Studies at the American University in Beirut, where she met her husband Ziad Monla, 35.
Her husband’s family owns the Monla Hospital in Tripoli, Lebanon. The couple, married for six years, has two sons, ages 2 and 4.
Jordan Prime Minister Adnan Badran accompanied the funeral motorcade to the Syrian border. The Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Attari and other officials received the cortege at the Jaber Crossing on the Jordanian-Syrian border.
Burial services for Moustapha took place in Aleppo, Syria. Moustapha’s family, Syrian officials and members of the public attended. The burial services for Rima took place in Tripoli, Lebanon, with her husband Ziad Monla, his family and friends in attendance.

Moustapha Akkad Biography:
World famous film producer and director, president and producer
of his Trancas Films International, in 1978, formed Filmco International Production, producing and distributing on a low budget the first of the Halloween movie series. Born in Aleppo, Syria, 1933, he moved to Los Angeles in 1954. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he received a B.A. in Theater Arts and an M.A. in Cinema studies. He worked as a production assistant for MGM’s Ride the High Country. He also directed and produced the CBS-TV program "As Others See Us," distributed by United Artists and syndicated throughout the USA and overseas. He also formed Akkad International Productions, producing and directing documentary programs, features, and TV series. His international reputation was established by films such as: Caesar’s World, The Message, Omar Mukhtar: Lion of the Desert. The Message tells the story of the beginnings of Islam. Omar Mukhtar is one of the first large scale war films which documents the colonial presence of fascist Italy in Libya. He also produced the Halloween series, A Measure of Fear and Boarding School.

Arab-Americans Comment on
Moustapha Akkad Tragedy:
Jim Abourezk, Esq., chairman and founder of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Washington, DC, said:
"Moustapha was a true son of Arab soil. He believed in the Arab cause, and was never afraid to say so. Through his film work, through his personality and character and drive, he was able to give dignity to people of Arab descent.
He was a true friend of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, attending many of our conventions and was always contributing money when we ran short.
His premature violent death dealt a blow to all of us who knew him. It was a death so unnecessary. It is so strange that he would be murdered by people who claim as their cause the benefit of the Arab people, as they cut down someone who had always done what he could to advance that cause. It was a tragic death, and one for which we will all be sorry."
Prof. Naseer Aruri, educator, author of "Dishonest Broker" and "The U.S. Role in Israel and Palestine", said:
"Film producer Moustapha Akkad lived and died in a turbulent world in which he made a unique contribution of bridging the gap between two people and two societies in a dire need of better understanding. What is truly ironic about his death is the fact that his assassins claim falsely to be the bearers of the same mantle which he truly represented that of Arab nationalism and Islamic heritage. Perhaps the best way to honor his legacy is to work as diligently as he did in the defense of justice, freedom, and an egalitarian world community."
Dr. Clovis Maksoud, chairman, Center of the Global South, former Ambassador of the League of Arab States, journalist and educator, said:
"Moustapha Akkad’s tragic death in Amman constitutes an absolute negation to the promotion of life and creativity that he has demonstrated throughout his rich contribution to the Arab cause and the authenticity of Islam as a religion, a culture and a major dimension of human enlightenment.
"He was perceptive of the need to convey the moral imperative and the spiritual wealth of the Arab culture and Islam's historical and spiritual experience. His contribution to correct the image of his patrimony and his faith demonstrated in the films he has undertaken, especially Al-Risalah and Omar Al-Mkokhtar are but a manifestation of his commitment and deep involvement in rendering cinematography a corrective to distortion and a conveyor of truth. While the terrorist bombs removed him and his wonderful daughter, Akkad will remain in the memory of Arab and Muslim Americans a cultural icon and part of their emboldened conscience. Akkad was a pioneer, in a way a unique intellectual, a political activist, and at the vanguard of human liberation and humane endeavors."

ADC Mourns Loss of Moustapha Akkad and Rima Akkad Monla:
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is deeply saddened by the death of Arab-American producer and director Moustapha Akkad.
ADC reiterates its condemnation of the bombings and calls for a thorough investigation and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said: "ADC finds it sad and disturbing that Moustapha Akkad, a man who brought the story of Islam to life in his film ‘The Message,’ was killed by those who call themselves Muslims. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones affected by this latest horrific tragedy."

Wahid Boctor, executive producer, AATV and OCTV Programs, said:
"Moustapha Akkad was truly the heart and soul of the Arab people wherever they are and whoever they are.
We where truly lucky to have Moustapha Akkad part of the Arab- American community in Los Angles. It is unfortunate that the Arab people, always end up to be the victims and the voiceless.
The few that sincerely understand the real problems of the Arab people and who selfishly help their plight, those people always mysteriously die or get sided by dark and evil forces.
We should always keep Moustapha Akkad as a sincere role model for all generations to come."

Tareq Risheq, U.S. Omen, Orange County, California, wrote:
"The Arab world in general and the Arab-American community in Southern California in particular lost a visionary, someone who knew the way to our salvation as beleaguered people, here, as well as in the Arab world. We are very devastated for the untimely, violent, and undignified way that Moustapha, Rima and 56 others departed us. In 2004, when U.S. Omen led its Empowerment Through Education fundraiser in Garden Grove, we had the distinct honor to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Moustapha. When he spoke, the close to 900 people in the audience were electrified, mesmerized and attentively listened to every single word he uttered."

Hammam Shafie, film and artistic producer, Los Angeles, said:
"If it wasn’t for fear that the euphoria that has erupted like a volcano to honor his passing would veer off track, I would spend the next 40 days in mourning.
However, since many of you have rolled up your sleeves and are adamant about honoring his legacy by continuing his struggle to bring to the forefront the genius of his Arabic culture, let us not concentrate on his dreams of past historical characters for now, but on the present human and his dreams.
As all of you who have come to know Moustapha and dealt with him will agree, here is what I’m insisting and obliging you to consider. An epic film about his life story:
As a young man arriving to a hostile environment, struggling against insurmountable odds, only to succeed, but no great amount of success would impede him from furthering his cause. A visionary universal man, always humble, extending, helpful, going beyond the call of duty, defying and bridging all gaps, only to be brought down by those who’s image he tried to clean. It is an uplifting modern human story with an unfortunate tragic ending, yes indeed, but of epic proportions.
I do not know how many of you have had personal experiences with the man, but let me share with you a few I had;
Moustapha, we are planning a telethon to raise money to build a Mosque and we need your help. His answer was, "come and get it."
Moustapha, we are producing a play about the Palestinian struggle, we need your help. His answer was, "come and get it."
A few months ago while attending a fund raiser, I talked to him about honoring the passing of another great leader of our Los Angeles Community, Dr. Sabri Al-Farra. As he spoke, I saw a spark in his eyes. He said "great story, lets do it", we were distracted by the national anthem.
For a moment he was like a magical spirit in Arabian folklore that has supernatural powers and will obey the commands of the person who summons it.
Folks, honor him by sharing his life’s ‘Arab-American’ legacy with the rest of the world."

Samir Twair, journalist and former president of the Arab-American Press Guild, wrote in the Washington Report magazine:
"Akkad’s life story is not unlike a movie script: A young Syrian with $200 in his pocket arrives in Hollywood with dreams of becoming a filmmaker and, against all odds, achieves success in Tinseltown.
"The eldest of seven siblings, Akkad grew up in Aleppo, where he told people he would someday make movies in Hollywood. Skeptical neighbors cautioned him to limit his dreams to Arab film studios. Undeterred, Akkad wrote to UCLA and was accepted to study theater arts. He worked for a year to earn the money for his 1954 flight to California."
After Film Director’s Death in Suicide Blast, Arab Media Gets Tough on Islamic Extremism:
Jalal Ghazi, in his news Analysis who monitors and translates Arab media for New America Media Link TV, San Francisco. New American Media is an organization representing over 650 national ethnic media, including the Arab-American Affairs Magazine, he wrote:
"After the deadly suicide bombing attacks in Amman, Jordan, Arab media continues to mourn the loss of Moustapha Akkad, a beloved director in the Arab world who was killed in the blast. His death and that of his daughter may mark the first time a unanimous outpouring of grief and condemnation over a suicide bomb attack has spread across the spectrum of Arab media.
"Akkad’s tragic death generated a wave of blunt condemnation of suicide bombings. A commentator in the London-based Asharq Al Awsat, Hussein Shabekshe, wrote, "Akkad’s great loss did not stop the wicked terrorists from claiming that the operation was in the name of Islam. It is time for Muslim scholars to take a clear stand against these (extremist) books and religious decrees and recognize that they are wrong and should not be followed."
Anwar Bader, a commentator in pan-Arab Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper wrote that Akkad was killed by religious extremists and blind terrorism, and quoted the director, who, in reference to suicide bombers attacking civilians in Iraq, stated, "Today, a new and dangerous wave of extremism started to appear in Iraq all of a sudden. Extremism in the manifestation of ignorance, not only religions’ ignorance, but ignorance in general which weakens human beings."
The famous Syrian actor Dored Laham told Abu Dhabi Television, "Those who killed Akkad are not Muslims even if they say they are Muslims, and even if they pray in mosques and fast during Ramadan."
Thoria Al Shahri, a regular commentator in Asharq Al Awsat daily international newspaper, wrote:
"Akkad died at the hands of foolish animals with evilness and an appetite for killing in the name of religion. Akkad gave Islam two films that will live long after the hopeless and brainless videos of Al Zarqawi and his losers."
And Al Shahri then criticized Arab leaders who rejected Akkad when he approached them for funding future films. "While the West is busy producing creative films, Arabs seem to be satisfied with the disgusting videos of Al Zarqawi." Al Shahri wrote: "Arabs and Muslims have no one to blame but themselves for the negative images of Islam in the West. I’m sad to say that "The Passion of Christ" and "Fahrenheit 9/11" have proven that American cinema is not walled off by the Zionists like many Arabs have been claiming. Anyone who has a film idea and a budget is welcome."
Firas Al-Atraqchi, a contributor to Al Jazeera satellite, wrote on the Al Jazeera website that Akkad died before achieving his dream of making a film about the Muslim hero Salaheddeen. "Akkad thought that the invasion of Iraq was analogous to the political climate in the 11th century before Jerusalem was sacked. Akkad thought that the current geopolitical chessboard reminded him of ‘all the Muslim city-states which colluded with Crusaders and allowed not only the fall of Jerusalem, but also led to Muslim infighting.’"
Frustrated with the unwillingness of rich Arab leaders to fund his films, Akkad said it would take only as much as the cost of a warplane to make a film, which would have much more far-reaching effects than the strongest Arab army. Akkad always used to say that the best tool that Arabs and Muslims could use to influence the West was the Western media, not weapons.
"Arabs and Muslims have huge admiration for Akkad, not only because he was able to establish himself as a successful international filmmaker, but also because he was able to do that without compromising his love of Islam and pride in his Arab heritage. As with his past works, his film on Salaheddeen no doubt would have been a magnificent third epic, a window into the 1,400 years of Arab and Islamic civilization and a clear contrast to today’s dark ages of extremism and suicide bombings."

Three Memorials in Los Angeles:
Three memorials took place in the Los Angeles area for Moustapha Akkad. The first was sponsored by the movie industry and held at the Writer’s Guild Center in Beverly Hills. A short film was shown documenting Akkad’s work. The second was at the Islamic Center of Southern California where Dr. Maher Hathout, Akkad’s son Malek and others spoke.
The Syrian-American Club sponsored a major memorial in Glendale, California, attended by hundreds. The program was managed by Faraj Issa and Ms. Nazi Surfi.
Ali Reyes, president of the Syrian-American Club delivered remarks in memory of Akkad. He was followed by many speakers, among them Malek Akkad, Adel Barakat, John Ferrell, former Los Angeles City Councilman and founding member with Akkad of the first Arab Student Association at the University of California, Los Angeles; Dr. Kamal Batniji, Judge James Kaddo, Dr. Annis Makarem, Sheikh Muadda al Aridi, Suleiman Saddi, Dr. Hala Maksoud, Faris Haddad and Samir Twair.
Moustapha Akkad is survived by his wife: Sooha Ascha Akkad; his sons: Tarik, Malek and Zade; his brothers and sister: Zuhair, Osama, Nabil and Leila Akkad; his nephews: Baker, Faris, Omar and Amir Akkad;his nieces: Dima, Dania, Rana, Lina and Yasmeen Akkad.
Akkad’s daughter Rima Monla is survived by her husband: Zian Monla, her sons: Tarek and Moustapha and her mother: Patricia Akkad.