SF Screening and...Congresswoman Johnson to host screening on Capitol Hill!

The San Francisco Screening last night went FAN – TASTIC! Great mix of people and intuitive questions. One person even flew in just to see the film - from Tanzania!! Our fellow brothers and sisters at the Ismaili Students Association - Stanford did a wonderful job organizing and hosting the film for 300 people at the Annenberg Auditorium, Stanford University. One question I got asked in private that was following up on a question that I got asked in the Q+A, I thought I would share with you in paraphrase:

Ismaili audience member - Question: Hazar Imam’s unique participation in this documentary must have been for certain reasons. What do you think they were?
Shamir - Answer: Generally speaking, no one participates in a documentary unless they believe in the vision of the endeavor and they see opportunity in it to further their objectives, whether it is communications objectives or others.
Q: Then that must come with obligations for all of us Ismailis with respect to our role and your documentary. What do you expect from the community?
A: That comes with obligations to limit and halt the Ismaili piracy! (chuckle) It does, but it is an obligation for all Ismailis and non-Ismailis who see value in this film with its story and higher-level objectives to support the cause, to spread the word of the doc, and to host screenings even it is just in their home with a few of their friends and colleagues. And have the discussion – dialogue is a fundamental belief of our faith. Pluralism starts in our own backyard.
(end)

And....As announced last night at the screening…
Congresswoman Bernice Eddie Johnson of Texas and the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association will be hosting a premiere of the Aga Khan Film on Capitol Hill, Washington DC, May 20th, 2008. WOW, we are so excited. The screening will be open to policy makers, diplomats, and the public. Feel free to share with all those you know.

Details:
AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE invited to be screened on Capitol Hill by hosts Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
2PM – Room 1310
Longworth House Office Building
Washington DC
**Tickets are FREE**
**Open to the Public**

Born into a world of wealth and privilege, he devotes his life to eliminating poverty and inequality. A religious leader who traces his ancestry back to the Prophet Muhammad, he struggles to balance the traditional with the modern.

For the past five decades, the Aga Khan has been the spiritual leader and Imam of the 15 million Ismaili Muslims in a world that has changed dramatically. From the end of colonialism and the expulsion of the Asians in Uganda to the fall of the Iron Curtain and 9/11, the Aga Khan has struggled for a common humanity in a divided world.
Securing a rare and exclusive interview with the Aga Khan and in the year of his Golden Jubilee, Bill Cran (multiple Emmy-award winning Director) and Shamir Allibhai have completed a two-year passion project to make the first documentary on the Aga Khan in over forty-five years.

At a time when Islam is at odds with itself and with the West, the Aga Khan represents a voice of moderation, speaking out for pluralism and diversity, and promoting dialogue between civilizations.

But will he be heard?