By Zachary Gross ’14, News Editor

On April 15, 2013, the same day the world was struck with the horrors of the Boston Bombings, Dr. Naif al-Mutawa, a Kuwaiti clinical psychologist and creator of the popular comic series The 99, delivered a poignant message about tolerance and freedom of speech to the Newark Academy community as part of the ongoing Global Speaker series.

The 99 is a children’s comic popular across the globe, especially in Europe, Kuwait, South Africa, and Turkey. The basic premise of the series is simple: 99 diverse youngsters who were granted power by mysterious gemstones seek to, with the help of social activist Dr. Ramzi, stop the power-hungry Rughal, the main villain of the series. Anu Sharma ’15 said, “I think the idea [of] having superheroes from all over the world that all accept each other despite ethnic, cultural or religious differences…is great.”

One of the unique, and to some, controversial, aspects of the show is the fact that the plot is based on Koranic archetypes, not the Biblical ones that are popular in other comics. For example, the gemstones that give the superheroes power come from a fallen library. This is a reference to the destruction of the Grand Library of Baghdad in 1258.

Some American conservatives have taken issue with Mutawa’s use of Koranic archetypes, citing the extremism that exists in Islam as rationale. Mr. Bitler, a Newark Academy physics teacher and professed conservative said, “I thought he developed really cool superheroes, but I didn’t see the connection between the superheroes and Islam.”

However, some saw the use of Islam in the comic series more positively. Economics and Theory of Knowledge teacher Ms. Lifson said, “I thought it was very intriguing to use Islamic history and mythology to develop superheroes and I agree it is beneficial for Americans to have a positive and balanced view of Islam. “

Mutawa expressed his regret that the show was drawing so much controversy to, but said that he didn’t want to publically fight it. He even turned down a slot on the Daily Show, because, he claimed, no parent would want their children to watch a “controversial” show, despite the reality of the plot.

In response to the claims that his show was about inciting extreme Islam, Mutawa maintained that the purpose of his show was to promote tolerance. He pointed to the diversity of the characters and the fact that, despite being based on Koranic archetypes, the show never even mentions religion of any sort. This sentiment was echoed by Max Whitemore’14, “The 99 series serves to promote cooperation and harmony within the Islamic world, even though nothing about the comics is religious. Instead, Dr. Mutawa’s aim is to spread Islamic virtues, which he sees as universal throughout all religions. That’s what really makes the series special and Dr. Mutawa’s presentation one to remember.”

The Global Speaker Series planning committee was overall pleased with Dr. Mutawa’s presentation. Junior member Craig Haratz said, “I thought Dr. Al Mutawa was pretty fascinating I think you have to appreciate his entrepreneurial spirit and his ability to sell his product and get across his message so overall I thought his presentation was pretty effective.”

Members of the Newark Academy community also seemed to be pleased with his presentation. Soven Bery ’15 said, “Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa was my favorite speaker of the for this school year…In the three years that I have been attending Newark Academy, we have had four speakers about either Islam or the Middle East…However, Dr. Al-Mutawa was different…He mixed in an important international theme with a story on his work, which is what the Global Speaker Series is supposed to be about.” Similarly Olympia Kane ’16 stated, “I think it’s great that he’s integrating [Islam] into his comics because the religion can seem a little distant for high school students in New Jersey, and Dr. Naif’s inserting it into the media in a favorable light is really positive step towards religious understanding and tolerance.”

Students and faculty alike really seemed to appreciate Mutawa’s unique, comic-book themed twist on the challenges Islam faces in the 21^st century. Hopefully, the Global Speaker Series builds on his success into next year.