Like every comic, the 99 has the good against evil thing going on. But what is different about this comic is that all of the 99 superheroes of ‘the 99’ are ordinary Muslims from all over the world. These 99 heroes come across what are called ‘Noor stones’ (Noor meaning Light), thus coming into their powers. Noor stones are gemstones that were crafted to absorb ‘the light of reason’. Ages ago when Hugalu Khan invaded and took over Baghdad, the Caliph and the Librarians of the Library Dar Al-Hikma, to save the entire knowledge of the world culture from being destroyed absorbed all of this knowledge into these gemstones with the help of a special chemical. And today they are spread in different parts of the world. Now each of these stones is infused with one of the 99 attributes of Allah and when one of our superheroes comes across a Noor stone they acquire this particular quality. These qualities and values however are not unique to Islam, but transcend religion and culture. These are qualities, like strength, wisdom, generosity etc, which as Dr. Naif Al Mutawa says “no two individuals would dispute about.” The comic thus appeals to universal virtues.By showing how these individuals face dilemmas and challenges and overcome them by working together, the comic is trying to promote unity and co-operation in the world. It is indeed a creative way to spread the message of peace and tolerance.
Dr. Naif Al Mutawa, chairman and CEO of Teshkeel Media Group, who created The 99 comics, said he was not trying to tackle religion but the religious through his superheroes — boys and girls from 99 countries — based on the 99 attributes of Allah such as generosity, mercy, wisdom and many others that are not used to describe Islam in the post 9/11 world.
The comic series — backed by some of the best writers and artists in the United States — has been a big success, and the man who was named among the 500 most influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre last year, is waiting for the next big leap when an animated series made by global entertainment company Endemol hits televisions in the United States later this year.
President Obama singled Dr. Naif out for special praise for promoting international understanding with his “The 99” comics.
“His comic books have captured the imagination of so many young people with superheroes who embody the teachings and tolerance of Islam,” Obama said.
Dr. Al-Mutawa was determined to make this a professional and top notch endeavor and so he works with current and former writers for comics like Spiderman, Power Rangers, and X-men. The latest development is that this October, Stuart Moore and Fabian Nicieza of DC Comics and Dr. Al-Mutawa of Teshkeel Comics will unite to publish the six issue mini crossover series “JLA/The 99,” where the young, fresh superheroes of The 99 work with the classic heroes of the Justice League like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Green Lantern.
Check out Dr. Al-Mutawa’s lecture on TEDtalks to get a better idea of his great initiative.