Friday, Feb. 1 and Saturday, Feb. 2

7:20 pm

Special screening of Jihadists, followed by an interfaith discussion with director François Margolin

Sponsored by ICUJP

Feb 1 panelists:
• Salam Al-Marayati, Muslim Public Affairs Council
• Michal Meulenberg, Fuller Seminary
• Ani Zonneveld, Muslims for Progressive Values
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Feb 2 panelists:
• Salam Al-Marayati, Muslim Public Affairs Council
• Michal Meulenberg, Fuller Seminary
• Estee Chandler, Jewish Voice for Peace and host/producer, Middle East in Focus, KPFK

ICUJP is sponsoring the screening of the new documentary Jihadists. According to the French producers, the film “goes deep into the heart of the Salafi movement, to reveal the inner workings of extremist Islam." A pair of Western filmmakers were granted unparalleled access to fundamentalist movements in Mali, Tunisia, Iraq and Afghanistan. The film exposes the exploitation of sharia law that became a propaganda tool for recruiting suicide bombers and soldiers for ISIS. Without experts contextualizing these events, the film, which inspired the Oscar-nominated feature Timbuktu, paints a stark portrait of everyday life under religious authoritarianism.

ICUJP, which was founded on the principle that “Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence,” believes this film is important in helping to understand the roots of religious violence and the role the U.S. and other countries play in contributing to this dangerous phenomenon.  The misuse of religion is not unique to Islam; it cuts across all religious beliefs. This film is about those who have hijacked a faith and are acting out in ways contrary to the fundamental teachings of that faith, but are driven by the delusion they are the true believers. The documentary cautions us all to understand the roots of extreme religious fundamentalism and how easy it is for people to be misled and coerced into violence, thereby betraying their genuine beliefs.

In Los Angeles, the film will premiere Thursday, Jan. 31, 7:30 pm at the Laemmle Royal and then will show Feb. 1-7 at the Laemmle Music Hall, Beverly Hills. Please join us at the Music Hall Friday, Feb. 1 and Saturday, Feb. 2 for the 7:20 pm screening, which will include a discussion with director François Margolin and interfaith experts. Tickets now available on the Laemmle Theaters website.

Parking information: https://www.laemmle.com/theaters/locations/4