- This event has passed.
* Inside the Ground Zero Mosque: Documentary Screening and Discussion with the Producer
September 2, 2011
Inside the Ground Zero Mosque: Documentary Screening and Discussion with the Producer
Title:?Inside the Ground Zero Mosque: Documentary Screening and Discussion with the Producer?
Speaker: Ray Bruce
Date: 2 Sep?2011 at 18:45
Venue: Abrar House, 45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP
Event details:
In this documentary, Bafta award-winning director Dan Reed (Dispatches: Terror in Mumbai) untangles the hysteria, fury and politics surrounding the ?Mosque at Ground Zero?. His film explores how this proposed mosque and Islamic community centre, two blocks away from the site of the 9/11 attacks in lower Manhattan, has thrown into sharp focus the tensions at the core of American democracy regarding the country?s Muslim population.
With unique access to the major players in the project and the unfolding events, Inside The Mosque at Ground Zero recounts the press frenzy surrounding the plans, the vitriolic attacks on its high-profile spiritual leader, Imam Feisal, the heartrending stories of some of the 9/11 families who oppose the building and reveals the driving force behind the mosque. ??
The film follows charismatic property developer Sharif El-Gamal (38) as he gives his account for the first time. ?el-Gamal purchased the Burlington Coat Factory in 2009 with the plan to make money from building condominiums on the site but also to provide a place of worship for the local Muslim population. ?As his plans changed to turning the entire building into a Muslim community centre, he found himself in the middle of a major storm that challenged what America thinks of itself, Islam and tolerance.
Ten years on from the events that shaped a nation; this is the story of a derelict building that has become a lightening rod for America?s struggle to reconcile its own psyche.
Come see the documentary before it is available to the public (Channel 4 on Mon 5 Sep at 20:00). ? The executive producer of the documentary will be joining us for Q&A after the screening.
The speaker:
Ray Bruce specialises in religion, history, archaeology and the politics of the Middle East. His particular passion is unraveling the true story of Christian origins and exploring religion in the modern world and he has produced programmes on these topics for the major UK and American factual networks.
Ray joined CTVC in 1989 after successful careers as a teacher, lecturer, and writer in religion and multi-cultural education. Productions for C4 include the critically acclaimed 2 hour documentary, Battle For The Holy Land – Jerusalem, 4 series of the groundbreaking Muslim debate programme Shariah TV where young Muslims explore issues of their faith (the last series produced from a rooftop in the Old City of Jerusalem), Opus Dei – The Truth Behind the Da Vinci Code and The Secret Family of Jesus. For ITV, Victim 001, the award winning story of Father Mychal Judge, the first victim of 9/11, 7/7 Remembered, The Real Mary Magdalene, Little Town of Bethlehem , Flight of Faith and Carols for Christmas From Chase Hospice. For Five and National Geographic International, a 4 part series Secrets of the Cross looking at tantalizing Bible mysteries.
Ray Bruce is the executive producer of ? Inside the Ground Zero Mosque?.
?
Free entrance. All welcome. ?
For more information please contact Sid (?sid@thecitycircle.com or 07786212486)