[Mitai-announce] MUSLIM FILM FESTIVAL AT MIT THIS THURSDAY @ 1-190 @ 6.30PM!!!!!!!FREE TO PUBLIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (fwd)

[Elan Pavlov]

Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:35:34 -0400
From: Jeehan S. B. Faiz <jeehanf at projectnur.org>
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Subject: MUSLIM FILM FESTIVAL AT MIT THIS THURSDAY @ 1-190 @ 6.30PM!!!!!!!FREE
     TO PUBLIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Muslim Film Festival is coming to MIT this Thursday, with the screening
of
the film "Adieu Mères" by the director Mohamed Ismail. The movie,
released in Moroccan national cinemas in February 2008, "was chosen
Monday to compete in the 2009 Oscars in the category of best Foreign
Language Movie, "according to the Moroccan Cinematographic Center
(CCM).

The film shows two partners in a sawmill, Brahim (Muslim) and Henry
(Jewish) who have a very strong friendship since their early
childhood. Their respective wives, Fatima and Ruth are also attached
to one another and work together in the same insurance office. Fatima,
cannot have children, carries a sincere affection for the two children
of Ruth and considers them her own.

"In sum, stresses Mohamed Ismail, the purpose of this movie, hymn of
peace, is to prove how generous actions vis-à-vis others, and mutual
solidarity, constitute the main task which everyone must be aware of".

Through this movie, which depicts an exemplary atmosphere of love of
neighbour without any discrimination, against the problems of life, we
want to convey the message that everyone thrives in the depths of
themself: the hope that one day "the wolf and the sheep" will be
gathered peacefully on a lake, "said Mr. Ismail.

*The American Islamic Congress (AIC) and Project Nur (PN),  its student-led
initiative, have announced the fall edition of the Boston Muslim Film
Festival, which runs from October 13-30 and features films from across the
Muslim world highlighting "Art under Fire" (complete details at
www.MuslimFilm.org <http://www.muslimfilm.org/>).
*

*Screening will be held at the Brattle Theatre, Boston Public Library,
Harvard, Boston University, Northeastern, and MIT. Co-sponsors include the
Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, the Global Film Initiative,
Facing History & Ourselves, Americans for Informed Democracy, BU's Women
Studies Program, and Barakat.
*

*"Muslim cultures have produced legendary works of art, from the mosaics of
Marrakesh to the Taj Mahal," explained Nasser Weddady, AIC's Civil Rights
Outreach Director. "Yet today censorship and radicalism constrain many
Muslim artists around the world. Our festival explores how musicians,
filmmakers, and even comedians are struggling to respond."
*

*One highlight is the award-winning Egyptian film "Dunia"—nominated for a
grand jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival—which tells the moving story
of a poet and dancer who suffers from the effects of female genital
mutilation.
*

*"The film festival is a wonderful opportunity for discovery," said Ryan
Stelzer, President of the Boston University chapter of Project Nur. "Not
only does it promote human rights, but it gives the Boston community primary
access to issues that may otherwise go overlooked. The films will
undoubtedly strike a chord in the conscience of viewers, as their messages
resonate deeply with those who stop and watch them."
*

*The festival, which premieres at Harvard Square's legendary Brattle
Theatre, features live performances coupled with each film to heighten its
respective artistic theme. Following the screening of "Democracy in Dakar,"
for instance, Senegalese hip-hop artists featured in the film will perform
and then lead an audience discussion.
*

*"This is an opportunity to see a side of the Muslim world we rarely hear
about on the news," observed Weddady. "Hopefully these films will inspire
Bostonians of all backgrounds to appreciate art's preciousness as well as
the layered diversity of the Muslim world."
*

*Boston-native Tissa Hami, a featured comedian in "Stand Up" (winner of the
CINE Golden Eagle Award), will perform following a screening of this
documentary on Muslim-American comics.
*

*"We see the Boston Muslim Film Festival as a new way for the general public
to explore Muslim cultures and identities in a civic and artistic context,"
said Weddady. "The festival is free and open to people of all backgrounds."

*

*"On the student front, the film festival is a means to showcase the
diversity of culture and experience that exist in the Muslim world by
highlighting a different Muslim voice, an artistic and civic voice that
often goes unheard. Project Nur students are working hard to
bring a pluralistic and civic Muslim voice to their campuses," said Jeehan
Faiz, Project Nur's Campus Coordinator.
*

*The American Islamic Congress (www.aicongress.org) is a civil-rights
organization promoting tolerance and the exchange of ideas among Muslims and
between other peoples. With the motto "Passionate about Moderation," the
organization leads initiatives around the world and has offices in
Washington, Boston, Egypt and Iraq.
*

*Project Nur (www.projectnur.org) is a "new light on campus" that creates a
distinct and alternative Muslim voice: a civic identity grounded in
pluralism and moderate thinking and action, one that dispels the perception
of a monolithic Muslim voice. It emphasizes civic action with the goal of
forging a cohesive and mutually respectful multicultural community of
university students who are committed towards the advancement of human
rights, civil rights, social justice, tolerance, understanding, and
co-existence.*



-- 
Jeehan S. B. Faiz
Project Nur Campus Coordinator
American Islamic Congress

www.projectnur.org
www.aicongress.org

263 Huntington Avenue, #315
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-266-0080
Fax: 617-812-4789

jeehanf at projectnur.org
jeehanf at aicongress.org