'Inside Islam' Premiere Shakes Up the Big Apple
November 19, 2009
Last week, MPAC-NYC co-hosted the New York premiere of UPF's much-anticipated documentary, "Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think." A sold-out audience almost as diverse as the city itself gathered for the New York premiere of the film at the Scholastic Auditorium in Soho.
The hour-long film is based on the results of the recent Gallup poll on the Muslim world reflecting the hearts and minds of over one billion Muslims worldwide, from neighborhoods in Indonesia to South Asia to the Middle East. It highlights the results of the six-year poll; as well as the work of Dalia Mogahed, Executive Director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, Dr. John Esposito of Georgetown University, and several others who joined forces to put Gallup's work to life.
SEE: "Commentary: What Do a Billion Muslims Think?" (McClatchy News Service)
Vehemently, and sometimes disconcertingly forthright, evidently well-researched, and set to a soaring soundtrack that reflects the rich diversity of the Muslim world, "Inside Islam" seeks to answer the most challenging questions about Western-Islamic relations, globally inter-connected economies and dependence, competing cultures, war, and the prospects for a lasting global peace. The film ultimately offers a seldom, if ever, seen glimpse into a world community that has so frequently been spoken for - even more so post-9/11 - but has rarely had such an expansive opportunity to speak for itself.
Following the documentary, MPAC-NYC board member Zeba Iqbal moderated a riveting question and answer session that highlighted some of the deepest concerns of the New York City community at large, particularly in light of the recent tragedy at the military base of Fort Hood, Texas. Among the individuals answering these questions were the film's co-producer (Alex Kronemer), a representative of the City of New York (Fatima Shama), and the heads of two non-profits using media to change Muslim stereotypes - the CEO of Soliya (Shamil Idriss) and the Director of Intersections International/Change the Story. The panelists each offered personal insights on the film, practical and positive action plans toward greater inter-community and interfaith understanding, and some reflective glimmers of hope amidst rising and regrettable tensions worldwide.
"Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think" is the profound creation of the Unity Productions Foundation (UPF). It is co-produced by Michael Wolfe and Alex Kronemer, directed by Robert Gardner, and is currently being screened in various cities across the United States and Canada.
The NYC premiere was coordinated by MPAC-NYC, in conjunction with UPF and its local sponsors, Intersections International and Americans for Informed Democracy. MPAC-NYC's coordinating efforts were led by MPAC-NYC board members Zeba Iqbal, Naba Sharif and Saima Khan, and supported by Dalia Mahmoud.
Please visit www.insideislam.tv for more information.
