showcasing underrepresented Muslim: Time Hoppers: The Silk Road is an animated feature that combines adventure with education, focusing on the contributions of Islamic scholars to modern science. The film, co-created by Flordeliza Dayrit and Michael Milo, follows four child protagonists who travel back in time to the medieval Islamic world.
showcasing underrepresented Muslim: what to know
Plot Overview
The story begins when the children—Abdullah, Aysha, Khalid, and Layla—discover a time-travel device in a lab. They soon find themselves pursued by a rogue alchemist who seeks to exploit its power. As they navigate through various historical periods and locations, their mission is to retrieve the device while protecting key historical figures from interference.
Historical Figures Featured
Throughout their journey, the children encounter influential scientists and scholars, including:
- Al-Khwarizmi: Known as the “father of algebra.”
- Ibn al-Haytham: A pioneer in the study of optics and the camera obscura.
- Mansa Musa: The ruler of the Malian empire, often regarded as the wealthiest person in history.
- Maryam al-Astrulabi: A 10th-century Syrian woman who developed the astrolabe.
Dayrit emphasizes the importance of showcasing both male and female scholars, stating, “We wanted to showcase that it’s not only men that were scholars or scientists.”
Inspiration and Goals
The project originated from a desire to create content that reflects the experiences of Muslim children, who are often underrepresented in media. Dayrit and Milo, who founded Muslim Kids TV nearly two decades ago, aimed to provide stories where Muslim children could see themselves as heroes. “For us, it was really important to have a story where, first and foremost, the kids were the heroes,” Dayrit explains.
The film seeks to counter negative portrayals of Muslim identities, particularly in the context of rising Islamophobia. Dayrit notes, “When you’re constantly hearing that, in the news and in everyday life, you start to believe that you don’t belong in these spaces.”
Time Hoppers has received positive responses from audiences, leading to an expansion of its theatrical release. The film initially premiered in 200 UK cinemas and has since grown to 299. In the US, it was released in 660 theatres, selling over 35,000 tickets.
As the creators look to the future, they are already working on a sequel, aiming to demonstrate that Muslim stories can be both globally relevant and commercially viable. Dayrit expresses a broader vision, stating, “We’ve always had the goal of becoming the Disney of the Muslim world.”