NEWS RELEASE

Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2007

Contact: Eric Gerber
713.743.8189 (office)
713.617.7130(pager)
egerber@uh.edu

FREE ‘FAITH WITHOUT FEAR’ SCREENING AT UH FEATURES APPEARANCE
BY CONTROVERSIAL FILMMAKER/AUTHOR IRSHAD MANJI

A preview screening of “Faith Without Fear,” one of the programs in PBS’ upcoming series “America at a Crossroads,” will be held at the University of Houston March 20. Its controversial filmmaker, Irshad Manji, will participate in a panel discussion about her efforts to reform Islam.

The discussion and screening, as well as a reception that precedes them, are free and open to the public.

“America at a Crossroads” explores the challenges confronting the world post 9/11, including the war on terrorism; the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan; the experience of American troops; the struggle for balance within the Islamic world; Muslim life in America; and perspectives on America’s role globally. Journalist Robert MacNeil will host the series, which begins airing nationally on PBS April 15. More information is available at: http://www.pbs.org/weta/crossroads/about/.

“Faith Without Fear” documents Manji’s international travels and dialogues with Muslims concerning the current state of their religion. Manji is the author of “The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim’s Call for Reform in Her Faith.” For more information about Manji, visit the web site: http://www.muslim-refusenik.com/.

Following the screening, she will be joined by Dina Al-Sowayel, associate director of the Women’s Studies Program at UH, and KUHT/Channel 8 reporter Patricia Gras to discuss her work and take questions from the audience.

WHAT: Free screening of PBS documentary “Faith Without Fear” and panel discussion
WHEN: 6 p.m. Reception
7 p.m. Screening
8 p.m. Discussion
WHERE: Houston Room
University Center
UH Entrance No. 1 (Calhoun at University Drive)
Parking available in Welcome Center parking garage
WHO: Filmmaker Irshad Manji, UH professor Dina Al-Sowayel and KUHT/Channel 8 reporter Patricia Gras will discuss the documentary and take questions from the audience

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.