November 24, 2005

The life and contributions of Mustapha Akkad, the groundbreaking Arab American filmmaker behind the "Halloween" films, will be commemorated during a memorial service at the Islamic Center of Southern California on Sunday, November 27, 2005. Family members and film industry colleagues will reflect on the life and contributions of Mr. Akkad, who was a long-time resident of Los Angeles.

Mr. Akkad and his daughter, Rima, died November 11 as result of critical injuries sustained as a result of the terrorist bombings at three hotels in Amman, Jordon. The Akkads were among more than 60 casualties of the brutal attacks. Mr. Akkad, known for both popular horror films and movies that brought the story of Islam to Western audiences, had hoped to begin a movie about the Islamic civilization in Andalusia, in what is now Spain.

"There was a time where all the kings in Europe sent their kids to Cordoba to study science, chemistry, algebra, medicine and astronomy," he told an interviewer last month. "We were something; we gave the world something. I would like to go into that period to let people know that Islam is not the Taleban or these terrorists."

Mr. Akkad was born and raised in Aleppo, Syria but came to the U.S. 50 years ago to fulfill his dream of studying movie directing. As an Arab Muslim, Moustapha Akkad overcame the difficulty of being a stereotyped minority in Hollywood and was able to achieve an unparalleled level of success as such. After graduating from UCLA with a degree in Theater Arts and working for MGM and the CBS TV News Department, he flourished on his own with the creation of several of his own production companies that produced his epic and thrilling movies. Akkad, best known as the producer of the thrilling "Halloween" films, is also the acclaimed producer and director of "The Message", a 1977 feature length film about the birth of Islam, and "Lion of the Desert", a 1981 film about the Libyan resistance against the Italians.

WHAT:
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR L.A. RESIDENT MUSTAPHA AKKAD,
PRODUCER KILLED IN JORDON TERRORIST ATTACKS

WHEN:
Sunday, November 27th from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

WHO:
Family Members of Moustapha Akkad (TBA)
Film Industry Colleagues of Moustapha Akkad (TBA)
Jamil Momand, Chairman of the Islamic Center of Southern California
Dr. Maher Hathout, Senior Advisor to the Muslim Public Affairs Council

WHERE:
Islamic Center of Southern California
434 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90020