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During the current election cycle, Muslims and Islam are frequently in the news, and the Muslims holidays of Eid will take place in July and September, respectively. With this greater awareness, we invite you to host a film screening at your church. Unity Productions Foundation (UPF) is pleased to offer complimentary PBS films that bring greater awareness to the broad subject of Islam and Muslims through political, cultural, children's and human interest documentaries. Sign up by July 20th and you will receive a free DVD and a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card!

 Available on DVD or Live Stream:

 

American Muslims: Facts vs. Fiction

Using research from Gallup, Pew and other organizations, this film addresses the most common questions about American Muslim values and role in society. John H. Sununu, Former Chief of Staff of the United States, stated that “The film is very well done and makes an important contribution to understanding the reality of who American Muslims really are.”

Nadia's Ramadan

Nadia's Ramadan Tells the story of a young American-Muslim girl who takes the audience on a journey through fasting and celebrating the Eid holiday. Becky Beardsley, a 7th Grade teacher from Kennewick, WA said "This video can definitely be used to help kids understand why some students choose to not eat or drink in the cafeteria during Ramadan. I would also love to show this video and have kids do some kind of comparison chart/grid showing the similarities of the ways major religions celebrate holidays."

Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World 

Narrated by Academy Award winning performer Susan Sarandon, this dazzling documentary reveals the variety and diversity of Islamic art. It provides a window into Islamic culture and brings broad insights to the enduring themes that have propelled human history and fueled the rise of world civilization over the centuries. USA Today stated that “We can sometimes allow current events and a society’s worst representatives to obscure the achievements of a culture as a whole. PBS hopes to correct that imbalance by examine the influence of (Islamic Art) on Western civilization.”

Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think

This film explores the expertly gathered opinions of Muslims around the globe as revealed in the world’s first major opinion poll, conducted by Gallup, the preeminent polling organization. Following its release, the film was broadcast on select PBS stations during 2008 and 2009. 64th Secretary of State of the United States Madeleine Albright stated that "When fear takes over, communication stops, that’s why Inside Islam is such an important film, and why the extensive surveys conducted by the Gallup organization are so worthwhile."

Talking through Walls

Tells the story of a Zia Rahman’s attempt to build a mosque in his hometown of Voorhees, NJ. With 9/11 a recent memory, fears were stoked and tensions ran high. As opposition grew, support came from an unlikely source. A group emerged, called the Coalition for a Multi-Faith Democracy, consisting of Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, and Jews. Working together with the mosque project, they began meeting, looking for common ground, and seeking a greater understanding.

Prince Among Slaves

The remarkable true story of an African prince, who endured the humiliation of slavery without ever losing his dignity or hope for freedom. In this remarkable story he travelled as a free man throughout the North, meeting President John Quincy Adams and supported by free blacks on his quest to return home. The LA Times said the film was “A Fascinating study of a man who became a cause celebre.”

Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain

Called "fascinating" by the Wall Street Journal, this historical documentary utilizes feature-film style re-enactments to bring to life the 700-year long history of the European Islamic civilization of Muslim Spain. It tells of the triumphs and shortcomings, achievements and ultimate failures of a centuries-long period when Muslims, Christians, and Jews inhabited the same far corner of Western Europe and built a society that lit the Dark Ages.

Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet

Explains the life of the founder of Islam through the lives of Americans living out his example. The LA Times said it is “a candid, thoughtful, flowing, visually stunning film, as timely as documentaries can get.”