Currently on display in Library Special Collections (Charles E. Young Research Library) are comic books of The 99 (Arabic: الـ ٩٩ al 99), also written as The Ninety-Nine (Arabic: التسعة وتسعون al-tis’ah wa-tis’ūn). The 99 is published by the Kuwait based company Teshkeel Media, featuring a team of 99 superheroes based on Islamic culture and religion. The heroes including Jabbar the Powerful and Noora the Light who must collect 99 gems encrypted with the wisdom and power of the ancient Dar Al-Hikma library of Baghdad, which are spread across the globe.
The series takes a look at the lives of individual young characters from many different cultures which reflect the diversity of the Islamic world. The name 99 comes from the 99 names of Allah. Each of the superheroes has a special power based on one of the attributes of Allah. According to the creator of the series, Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, “the 99 is a bold attempt to teach Muslim children about what the culture of Islam truly values.”
In the crossover mini-series, Justice League of America-The 99, the award-winning Islamic superhero team unites with DC comics flagship characters. Issues 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 of the crossover issues are on display.
Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, creator of THE 99 and founder / CEO of Teshkeel Media superheroes has appeared on the list of ‘The 500 Most Influential Muslims’ by the Royal Islamic Strategic Center, Jordan. This is the third time that Dr. Naif has found his name in the prestigious list of The Most Influential Muslims in the world.
Al-Mutawa was also commended by President Barack Obama at the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship in April 2010, during which praised The 99 for its ability to capture the imaginations of young people through a message of tolerance.
Gift of Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa and David Hirsch
