The producers were drawn to the project during the spiritual turmoil that followed the September 11 , 2001 attacks . According to Alex Kronemer , one of Unity Productions Foundation 's executive producers , the story brought up a question about the plight of slaves completely disconnected from their native cultures . " In times of great tension and stress , people seek out their religious connections . But what was the spiritual life of the enslaved Africans ? We do n't know much about that . " That Abdul-Rahman had a religion , and was a Muslim , and a prince all at once , upsets many stereotypes , according to Director Andrea Kalin , whose films generally focus on bridging communication gaps between cultures . " Many people do n't realize that up to 30 percent of slaves that came to America were Muslim . That did n't last past the first generation , but their customs are still evident in blues and some of the South 's food . " " It 's a universal story . " Kronemer said . " It 's paradise lost . We all wonder what would happen if we lost it all . Here 's a story about someone who lost an entire empire and emerged intact . " At the time of his capture in 1788 , Abdul-Rahman commanded an army bigger than George Washington 's in a country larger than the 13 original U.S. states
September 11 , 2001 attacks
September 11 attacks
Prince Among Slaves