9/11 museum film draws heat for portrayal of Islam

Critics say a film that will be shown at the National September 11 Memorial Museum in New York unfairly links Islam and terrorism.

The brief documentary shows the rise of international terrorist groups in the years leading up to the 2001 attacks.

The film has not been publicly released. But museum officials have screened it for groups including a clergy advisory panel.

Several members of the clergy group sent a letter to museum officials this week. They say some viewers could equate al-Qaida with Islam in general. They’re asking that the film be re-edited before the museum opens May 21.

The signers include the Rev. Chloe Breyer of the Interfaith Center of New York.

Museum spokesman Michael Frazier said the film does not characterize all Muslims as terrorists.