Documentary film on Muslim opinions fosters interfaith dialogue

By M. Scott Bortot
Staff Writer

Washington — It’s not every day that Americans see Qurans being distributed at a church. Unless, that is, the church is hosting an interfaith discussion to foster deeper understanding of Muslims around the world.

On February 28, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Arlington, Virginia, hosted an interfaith dialogue and a screening of Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think. The film documents the Gallup Organization’s six-year project to catalog opinions of Muslims around the world about the West, democracy, justice, terrorism and gender issues.

Event organizers said that while the film has been shown in many American communities, this was the first time it was part of an interfaith dialogue. In the spirit of wanting to learn more about Muslims — those who live overseas as well as those who live down the street — Americans of various religious backgrounds packed the church to capacity on a Sunday evening.

What a Billion Muslims Really Think is part of the 20,000 Dialogues campaign, a Unity Productions Foundation initiative “designed to bring people of different faiths together using films about Muslims to stimulate discussion and promote understanding.”

Along with the Unity Productions Foundation and Trinity Presbyterian Church, the event was sponsored by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Paulist Fathers, Faith Act Fellows and the American Muslim Interactive Network (AMIN).

Interfaith dialogue fits into AMIN’s goals. Among them are “encouraging people to think of alternative ways to discuss faith/religion built on respect.” AMIN founder and President Hazami Barmada told America.gov that the film’s focus on political issues sparks dialogue between people of different faiths.

“The film has a political slant in that it talks about perceptions held by and about Muslims that are at the heart of political debates,” Barmada said. “The film and the discussion afterwards brought to the fore the nature of what faith diplomacy is at the local and international level.”

Attendees had plenty to discuss after the screening. The 60-minute film asked Muslims questions of concern to many Americans, including why anti-Americanism exists in the Muslim world, what Muslims like and dislike about the West, how Muslims feel about extremists in their societies and what Muslim women really want.

After the screening, event organizers divided the audience into groups to engage in interfaith dialogue. Led by facilitators familiar with the film and knowledgeable about the Muslim world, groups discussed the film and ways to bridge the gap of understanding between Muslims and the United States.

But sometimes talking to people can be difficult if they have an agenda, Barmada said. Rather than want to discuss religion, they look to sway others to their point of view. Barmada said there is no right or wrong in interfaith dialogue: The goal is to exchange ideas to gain mutual respect.

Craig R. Campbell of Washington said participation in interfaith discussions is important for non-Muslim and Muslim Americans.

“For the everyday working person, events like this are good because it gets them to think about something they don’t normally think about,” Campbell said. “Events like this are beneficial for Muslims because people from Christian backgrounds can learn from them.”

Ahmed Badawi of Alexandria, Virginia, agreed with Campbell. “Many people came here and learned a lot from one another, from people of all faiths,” Badawi said. “I have a lot to offer, as I’ve studied Islam, and I like getting to talk to people and learn about their thoughts.”

Badawi and Campbell said they liked the film and think more people need to see it. This, Campbell said, is up to church and community leaders who need to host film screenings and encourage ensuing interfaith discussions.

According to the 20,000 Dialogues Web site, an individual or group that wishes to screen a film and host a discussion needs at least three other civic organizations as partners to help with funding, publicity and logistical support.

Not everyone who attended the event was satisfied with Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think as a showcase for discussion. One criticism was that it was too short to cover all the data from the Gallup Poll. Another was that the film should have focused more on Muslim-Americans and less on Muslims living outside the United States.

As one participant said, “These people are my neighbors, and I want to know what they are thinking about.”

In closing the interfaith dialogue, Imam Johari Abdul-Malik of Dar al-Hijrah mosque in Falls Church, Virginia, stressed the importance of what attendees learned by talking to each other about matters of faith.

“We must use the power of compassion and begin to learn to love one another and to understand that this is a great power,” Abdul-Malik said, reminding participants not to forget the event’s lessons. “Tonight when you are talking the talk, remember that when you leave here to walk the walk.”