November 11, 2005
Washington, DC –The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is deeply saddened by the death of Arab-American producer and director Mustafa Akkad. Akkad passed away today after sustaining serious injuries from one of the three terrorist blasts that hit Amman, Jordan hotels this past Wednesday. ADC reiterates its condemnation of the bombings and calls for a thorough investigation and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
Akkad, 75, was in the lobby of the Hyatt hotel with Rima Akkad Monla, his 33-year-old daughter who had just arrived from Beirut that same night, when the blast hit the hotel. Rima was instantly killed.
The Akkad family, long-time ADC members and supporters, lived in Los Angeles. However, relatives said Akkad will be buried on Sunday in the Syrian city of Aleppo where he was born, while his daughter will be buried in Lebanon, where she resided with her husband.
Akkad was executive producer of the famed Hollywood horror films “Halloween,” as well as producer and director of both “The Message” and “Lion of the Desert.” Akkad told the Associated Press in 1977 that he made the movie “The Message,” to “bring the story of Islam to the West.”
ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said “ADC finds it sad and disturbing that Mustafa, 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.”
For more information, contact ADC Communications Director Laila Al-Qatami at 202-244-2990.