American Muslims: Facts vs. Fiction

UPF's updated short film, American Muslims: Facts vs. Fiction addresses the persistent stereotypes and misconceptions of American Muslims by presenting the most up-to-data from public opinion surveys and social science research from the Gallup Organization, The Pew Research Center, the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding and the Global Terrorism Database at the University of Maryland.

Islamophobia is on the rise and is particularly pronounced during election cycles, where prejudiced remarks about Muslims are used to amplify existing fears. After presenting UPF film content to the U.S. Department of Justice, DOJ encouraged UPF to compile this content into a short film, to enrich their educational programming across communities and law enforcement agencies nationwide.

The film answers the most common questions American audiences have about their fellow Muslim citizens: How do they view America ? What are their attitudes toward terrorism? To what extent are they integrated into American life compared to other religious groups ? How do other Americans view them?

A diverse selection of American Muslims narrate the film. With the support of expert voices and through visual display of the data, facts about American Muslims are presented with a focus on their civic and cultural contributions.

Classrooms and communities nationwide are encouraged to screen the film, as the original version was also shown extensively. A community discussion guide for civic leaders and teachers to present the film will be made available soon.

Featured Experts

Aisha Rahman, Lawyer and Civil Rights Advocate
Saafir Rabb, CEO, 1Race
Dalia Mogahed, Director of Research, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Mark Sageman, Author, Leaderless Jihad
Eli Clifton, Senior Advisor, Quincy Institute
Erin Miller, Program Manager, Global Terrorism Database
Tarek Elgawhary, Director, Making Sense of Islam
Tarek El-Messidi, Founder, Celebrate Mercy
Luby Ismail, Founder, Connecting Cultures

Special Thanks To Our Generous Sponsors

What Others Say About the Film

American Muslims: Fact v Fiction is a very well done film that addresses and dispels some of the false stereotyping of American Muslims. It makes an important contribution to understanding the reality of who American Muslims really are.

John H. Sununu

Former Chief of Staff of the United States

The data in this excellent film counters the perceptions formed by those watching mainstream media. We think it should be shown as ofter as possible, maybe even as one minute soundbites (as a psa/commercial) to counter the misleading ideas that have been formed.

Katie Zawacki

Community Specialist

Excellent video. Compelling and well put together. Good use of graphics, sound and good choice of speakers. I think it is very effective despite the short film format. Inviting to the viewer, especially those with preconceived notions. Also may consider marketing to schools, great tool to teach tolerance.

Diane Marolda

The video is extremely well produced and the content does a great job of de-bunking stereotypes and delivering the message about what Muslims believe and their role and many contributions in American society.

John W. Faust

County Supervisor

The extensive credits of Executive Producers Alex Kronemer and Michael Wolfe span over 10 years of film making and include: Enemy of the Reich; Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World; Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think; Allah Made Me Funny; On a Wing and A Prayer: An American Muslim Learns to Fly; Talking Through Walls; Prince Among Slaves; Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain; and Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet.

This film was produced and directed by Rob Gardner, whose credits include Arab and Jew: Wounded Spirits in a Promised Land; Islam: Empire of Faith; Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think; Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain; and Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire.

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Crew

Director – Alex Kronemer
UPM – Jeremy Morrison
Executive Producers – Alex Kronemer, Michael Wolfe
Director of Photography – Nick Gardner, Jeremy Hall
Producer– Daniel Tutt
Gaffer – Steve Scott
Producer– Jawaad Abdul Rahman
1st AC – Jason Remeikis, Sunil Davadanam
2nd AC – Matthew MacIntyre
Grip – Danny Balsamo, Ashley Bensel
Sound Recordist – Alex Jennings
Makeup – Jessie, D’Angelo, Christine Wasilewski
Production Coordinator – Faiza El-Hibri

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