Note: I wrote this a number of years ago. Long before the current campaign of genocide in Gaza and the ethnic cleansing in the Occupied West Bank. I never will be persuaded to condemn active Resistance against Occupier Invaders. There is no justification on heaven or on Earth for the Israeli Occupation of Palestine.
Al Masih or Messiah Review
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In any era when slogans and 'buzzwords' dominate the entire world because of social media and the substitution of quick postings on the internet for actual newspapers and journals for the majority of individuals, Netflix has produced a series entitled 'Messiah'. The word itself instantly creates a response in any one who sees it. 'Messiah' or 'Al Masih (in Arabic) is one of the most powerful symbols, both in the West and in the East, for followers or any of the three primary 'monotheist' religions as well as atheists and agnostics. It resonates either negatively or positively with almost every one.
In the West, the title of 'The Messiah', even among the non-religious often evokes the wonderful Oratorio by Handel. 'The Second Coming' evokes the poem by Yeats. The title and theme of this series are redolent of legends and age-old human hopes and beliefs that the world will end and that a saviour will descend either literally or figuratively from the clouds to save us from the consequences of thousands of years of our own irresponsible, or actively evil actions,
The absolute genius here is that the title grabs the public's attention, bu the actual series is profound, thought-provoking, and questions EVERY attitude. It is very even-handed in terms of asking important philosophical, religious, and political questions. It is courageous in that it dares, like Paul Findley, 'to speak out'.
More of that later, however. I do not wish to define a series that goes far beyond political realities by that alone. It does far more than ask political questions. It is about religion, philosophy, ethics, and about the place of religion in science and science in religion. It is about the power of magic and appearances, of disguises and of perception. It is about a man who opens eyes, who asks questions, who leads various people out of a corner but does not give a destination. It is about freeing people from their prejudices, forcing them to ask questions, but without giving any answers in many cases.
Like Jesus, when some one says he is the Messiah, his answer is: 'It is you who say so.' The fictional character known as 'Al Masih' really does not define himself in terms of any specific religion or organisation, nor does he really claim any special powers for himself. He asserts: 'I only do what God wants.'
I always believed that Islam and Christianity shared the same foundation, so I instantly comprehended the ability of Al Masih to ignore the artificial lines drawn between the two great monotheist traditions.
He declares:
'Nothing shall befall us, except what God has ordained.' (Surah at Tawba, ayat 51)
'There is no deity but God'. (The last sentence of the Shahadah: La ilaha ilallah.
لا إله إلا الله )
He clearly states as well that: 'If you look for Truth, you may find comfort. If you look for comfort, you will never find Truth.'
The first point that must be made apparently, in view of the reviews this series has had so far, is that this is FICTION. Fundamentalist from every side are denouncing the series, calling Al Masih a 'false Messiah'. In fact, no one walks the Earth as far as I know at this point in time who claims to be the Messiah, or in any case, has demonstrated any evidence that he IS the Messiah.
The title, as well as the passionate desire on the part of human beings in search of and in need of 'rescue' or 'salvation', is what drives the very concept of a Messiah. It is no accident that cults have arisen throughout the ages claiming that the end of the World was nigh, even giving specific dates, locations and times for the 'Second Coming' of the Messiah. One of these was a woman named Ellen G. White who had a small but devoted following, including the founder of Kellogg's foods, John Harvey Kellogg. They were members of a cult based on literal interpretations of the Bible. Counting down using some sort of numerical system, the Seventh Day Adventists announced that Jesue would appear on a hill in Battle Creek, Michigan, in the United States, on 24 March 1843. When Christ failed to attend the meeting, another date was 'revealed': 21 March 1844. The followers again awaited the appearance of the Messiah in vain, and a third date was appointed as: 21 October 1844. One would have thought that THREE false predictions in terms of the Second Coming would have demolished the cult there and then, but after a brief wobble, it continued to grow and still has its fierce, very fundamentalist members.
The Seventh Day Adventists (who bear that name because of their insistence that Sunday is not the Day of Worship decreed by God in the Old Testament, but rather must be the same as the Jewish Sabbath from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown. Politically, of course, like any good literalist, they believe that the Hebrews were the 'Chosen People' of Yahweh (God), and that translates now to blind support of a Jewish State in Palestine. For better or worse, this is an issue that has global effects. The media in general, especially in the West is reluctant to confront it, but 'Messiah' does, and has received both condemnation and approval for its courage in asking hard questions.
On the issue of literalism or literal interpretation of Sacred Texts, I feel that this is the primary reason people become atheists. There is a world of difference between Faith, which is based simply on a belief and things that cannot be proven, and utter nonsense. The legends, myths and tales in Sacred Texts are NOT nonsense unless one attempts to accept them literally. Jesus himself delivered parables on a regular basis, and this, if nothing else, should alert fundamentalist Christians to the danger of accepting any tale in the Old Testament as some kind of literal truth or event.
The series is a little uneven, but it is brilliant nonetheless. I do not understand why the exploration of our faith should threaten us, whether we are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Zoroastrian, neo-paganism or any other religion or cult. The U.S. government agent becomes extremely excited when she discovers that the man known as Al Masih originally came from Iran, and that he studied the art of illusion as a child, that indeed, he could be considered a 'master of illusion'. What does that actually mean? Does the fact that he can create magical illusions necessarily signify that he is a fraud? Does it somehow disqualify his message or his quest?
I watched a Russian series about Rasputin recently as well. It is interesting to watch from the perspective of comparison of the admittedly sketchy facts about the life of one of the most influential characters prior to the Revolution with the character of Al Masih who has not even been identified conclusively.
Rasputin was from Siberia. He always evidently was interested in religion but at one point in his early adult life, he actually left his family (including wife and children) to wander throughout the land, exploring the religious experience. In other words, he looked for God. He has been accused through the last century of every possible crime, and yet, no crime ever was proven. He became an effective healer, and he managed to change lives. Whether he used traditional herbal remedies and medical advice, or whether indeed he was a 'faith healer' never will be known.
Do you believe in miracles or not? That is one of the questions embedded in the history or depiction of the life of any semi-divine or divine personage, any saint, any one who has done anything that is not fully explained by our own scientific knowledge as it currently exists. The various arguments often remind me of Mark Twain's depiction of a man who went back in time to the Court of King Arthur, and was able to use his knowledge of a solar eclipse to convince the people in that era that he possessed special magical powers.
In the case of 'Messiah' or 'Al Masih', there are viewers who dislike what they feel is the insertion of the supernatural, and yet, I dispute this as a 'fact' here. We do not know the basis of the character's actions and whether or not he actually 'controls' the weather like Gods throughout the ages, or whether he simply has foreknowledge of these events with the aid of a very rich individual or organisation. In the latter case, his appearance at the location where a tornado occurs might be based on weather reports using sophisticated technology. It is no secret that the technology exists to actually cause rain by a process known as 'seeding clouds'. Furthermore, television stations and other media have been giving 10 day forecasts for years now. Al Masih evidently arrives in the States on a private jet. This suggests that he has some significant funding. To me, the questions that he asks are more indicative of an individual who is NOT affiliated with any specific government than one who is. He asks questions that put every nation on the spot. It is far more likely that he is funded by a rich individual who wants to 'make a difference' in the world.
He declares: 'Everybody worships. The only choice is what you worship. Some people kneel to money. Others to power, to intellect.'
One of the messages I see in the series is that the need to place total faith in any other individual or any religion ultimately is doomed unless you are prepared to take responsibility for yourself and your own destiny. You must 'own' your own decisions and actions. Another truth: most people prefer to be led than to lead. Telling any one else that you know the way to salvation is a daunting prospect for any one with a grain of social or personal sense of responsibility.
There was a time when I worked as a Counsellor both for individuals and for couples. Most of the time, the people who came to me for advice or help wanted definitive ANSWERS. They wanted me to tell them what to do. I had to refuse. I had to let them know that I only could show them the paths they could take in any given situation but that they themselves had to decide their own goals and how to reach them. This disappointed and even angered some people. They wanted security and somehow to be given the permission NOT to have to take responsibility for themselves and in some cases, their families.
For me, one of the essential hints as to the character's relationship to the question of personal responsibility was when he took the rifle from the father of the little boy with the injured dog and shot the dog himself. Here he does perform an action that places responsibility squarely on his own shoulders and yet it is not the action that is expected of him. The boy and his father expect that the 'Messiah' will perform a healing, akin to the Biblical and Qur'anic miracles performed by Jesus/Isa of restoring vision to the blind or mobility to the paralysed. Instead, Al Masih ends the suffering of the poor animal by shooting him. It is the only 'natural' solution in the circumstances.
This brings me to the 'walking upon water' and other magical 'tricks' or 'illusions' he performs. They serve a purpose as well by directing the public to the essential questions he asks. Although we have to wait for the second season, I believe that they are NOT miracles either. They are the acts of a performer who is demanding attention. The focus then is not on him but on the important even vital social and political issues he raises.
For any student of history, legend, myth, religion, literature or film, this series is rich in symbolism that alludes to events that are recognisable instantly and therefore resonate in our souls.
Among others: Moses/Musa leading his people through the desert from 'slavery' to 'freedom', T.E. Lawrence (probably recognised more from the film 'Lawrence of Arabia' by David Lean than his own book, 'Revolt in the Desert') leading his army of volunteers through the desert to Aqaba for a very significant surprise attack from the land.
The battle of Aqaba was NOT sponsored by the British, but instead was a plan Lawrence conceived and he himself took the initiative to act on behalf of Faisal with Sherif Nasir, crossing 600 miles of desert. It was a turning point in the war for Arab Nationalists. Ultimately, however, the Arab tribes simply changed one Occupation for another, as few of the Arab nations won any sort of self-determination due to the Sykes-Picot Agreement.
Much of my own life has been spent in pursuit of spiritual truth, in the study of comparative religion, and in attempting to reach God, or at least move towards the Divine rather than going in the opposite direction. Al Masih therefore appealed to me personally from the start.
Some of the dialogue is brilliant, and some is less than superior. The visual images are striking. When al Masih 'walks on water' on the Pool of Reflection in Washington D.C., it is not only dramatic but very beautiful. The crash landing in a field of red poppies likewise delivers some unforgettable images. Symbolism is strong here as well. The Poppy traditionally is the flower of the Underworld, of Persephone/Proserpine. The 'resurrection' of the Israeli Mossad agent is appropriate in such a setting, and yet was he actually dead???
Another reason I found the series compelling was the courage shown by its exploration of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict from both sides.
It dares to question the fundamental principles on which an apartheid, essentially racist State not only were built, but continues to be supported. Like Norman Finkelstein and Noam Chomsky, it reveals elements of the truth in a world situation where the Truth is silenced constantly. In fact, the first review of this series that popped up on Google was written by some non-entity who does not even write a proper review but simply shouts out 'anti-Semitic' and thereby obtains attention from the public, as well as unjustly branding a series that is anything but anti-Semitic.
Let us remember, as so many fail to do, that the Arabs and Jews share a common 'semitic' heritage. In fact, more Arabs are truly semitic in terms of their ethnic background than many Jews, as Jews are divided between the Ashkenazi or European branch, and the Sephardic or so-called 'Arab' branch. Why this fact is considered unseemly or politically unspeakable by some should make one question why any facts should be censored. If indeed the State of Israel is based on justice and equality, why should its proponents or supporters silence that? Why should not the basis on which it not only exists but continues be open for discussion like any political State or system?
Finally, why should any modern nation make distinctions based on ethnic heritage?
The series itself shows where the cycle of Occupation and expulsion can lead to desperation. A refugee is spirited to a secret fortress to become a jihadist without knowing what is happening. He was a boy who, as a refugee in the desert, kept a copy of 'Le Petit Prince' beneath his pillow, and read aloud to his friend. He is primed for a mission to bomb a masjid where his best friend is being asked to give a speech. Ultimately he refuses to detonate the bomb belt he is wearing, but a pawn himself, the bomb is detonated remotely.
In fact, it would be a mistake to discredit armed Resistance based upon this series of events. What is called 'terrorism' usually is the only recourse left to the helpless and oppressed who know all that they love is lost if no action is taken.
On the other side of the spectrum, the ruthless Mossad agent who murdered a young boy simply because of the identity of his father as a Resistance figure for Palestine, becomes obsessed with Al Masih, and kidnaps him at gunpoint, but has begun to doubt his own loyalty to his organisation. In the last episode, he is 'revived' by Al Masih when the plane carrying both of them crashes into a field of poppies.
One of the themes of this series is the effect of various political and religious programmes that are followed blindly by individuals who have no idea how they are being used and manipulated.
As the series continued to be discovered by viewers, however, more reviews have emerged with different perspectives.
Some Christian fundamentalists declaimed against Netflix, asserting that the series preached a 'false' Messiah. Some Muslims similarly have lashed out against the series, claiming that the character known as 'Al Masih' is NOT a Messiah, but 'al Masih ad Dajjal', a false Messiah in Islamic tradition. None of these appear to acknowledge the fact that the series is FICTION. It is an exercise in provocative thought, not an attempt to create a new cult.
Moreover, the character is identified speculatively as an Iranian named Payam Golshiri. I do not think the choice of National identity is random. It places the character outside of the main players in the Israeli Occupation and continuing plight of the Palestinian refugees. At the same time, it is no accident that this series explores a quest by a (possible) Iranian to change perceptions by the citizens of the U.S., one of the greatest superpowers and one that threatens the heart of Iran itself at this point in history.
Al Masih quotes both the Bible and the Holy Qur'an. He speaks AGAINST violence and against war. He declares quite plainly: 'Weapons are not the solution' and calls upon the President of the United States to withdraw all U.S. troops from foreign nations.
It is not only the very volatile international situation that he addresses. He allowed himself to be placed in detention as an alien, and submits to an American Court for judgement. This brings the entire topic of U.S. immigration laws and programmes into the series. He has committed no crimes, and yet he could be held indefinitely in a detention centre without legal representation and help. What he does actually is refuse the attorney's plan to make his detention a media event and a cause célèbre. There are in fact many situations he refuses to exploit.
I would like to include part of a review written by Ali Reza for 'Al Hakim', a London publication. With reference to an hadith by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that deals with the last days of this world, similar to the Book of Revelation in the Bible, he quotes Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who declared: 'My dear people! These are but metaphors. Those who are blessed by God with insight will realise their true significance, not only with ease, but with some relish. Literal interpretation of such subtle and profound metaphors is like distorting beauty into monstrosity.'
Ali Reza writes: 'Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad showed that in reality, the Messiah was to stop the Jihad of the sword and begin the Jihad of the pen.... he not only addressed Abrahamic religions, but every other religion, including Hinduism and Buddhism.'
This reinforces my own belief that the Divine presence is available to ALL. What Al Masih does, however, is to attempt to create unity, to assert that we take responsibility ourselves for our own world.
Ultimately, the real point of this series is his question:
'Is your world good? Is it evil? Ask yourself: Who is guilty? Who is innocent? What are you? Now look at your neighbour. Look at your neighbour. Be brave enough to see yourself. Your own reflection cast back at you. Each... reflected in each. Look where you stand, in a shining city on a hill, in the land of the free and the brave, standing for liberty and justice. How true do those words ring for you? When did you bring liberty? Where did you cause justice?'
Here is the review of the film by Ali Reza:
