“American Muslim” film free this Sunday through Tuesday

“American Muslim” tackles relevant issues such as racism, and bigotry in the age of social media.

“This film is really into bridge-building work and helping to shatter the misinformation and misconception and the blatant lies that are promoted about Muslims in our country,” according to Aneelah Afzali, Executive Director of the American Muslim Empowerment Network at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound.

Directed by Jewish filmmaker Adam Zucker, "American Muslim" revolves around the story of five individuals living in New York, who were separated from their families during the height of Trump’s Muslim ban. These individuals come from different cultural backgrounds such as Yemen, Sudan, Bengali, Indonesia and Palestinian. Zucker will participate in an online discussion with Thurston County viewers on Wed., Aug. 18 starting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. 

The film’s free screening is brought by Olympia-based Interfaith Works in partnership with regional faith organizations including the Interfaith Community Sanctuary & School, and the Islamic Center of Olympia - Masjid Al-Nur. The film is available for free starting on Sunday, August 15 to Tuesday, August 17. There is also an online panel discussion with the film director on Wednesday, August 18 at 7 p.m.

Interfaith Works’ Corey Passons explained that while the film carries political undertones, the narrative focuses more on the human aspect of those who were affected by the ban. Afzali added, “It gives an insight into a community and the hope and resilience that they had despite facing some real problematic policy decisions that from a national level had an impact on individual[s].”

Passons added that the film provides a “window inside these different cultural communities that are really difficult to meaningfully engage with outside of the film.”

Beyond politics, these narratives aim to share a message of faith and unity. “Getting these interactions is helping us to be all better neighbors to each other and help us all to recognize the human connections that we all have, across faith, across races, [and] across ages,” Afzali shared.

To watch the film for free or sign-up for the panel discussion, click here.