'THE IMAM AND THE PASTOR' depicts the astonising reconciliation between Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye, and the peace-making initiatives which have flowed from it. The film, narrated by Rageh Omaar, shows that it is possible for the perpetrators of inter-religious violence to become instigators of peace. It is both a story of forgiveness and a case study of grass-root initiatives to rebuild communities torn apart by conflict.
In the 1990s, Imam Ashafa and Pastor Wuye led opposing militias in Northern Nigeria. Now the two men work together bridging religious conflicts that have killed thousands. In recent decades, tens of thousands of Nigerians have been killed in communal clashes between Christians and Muslims. "We formed a militia to protect our people". states Pastor Wuye. "My hate for the Muslims then had no limits". The victims of his militia included Imam Ashafa's spiritual leader and two cousins. The Imam spent three years planning revenge. Then one day, a sermon on forgiveness changed his life. The two men met and "gradually the relationship began to grow". They played a leading role in negotiating a historic peace accord. As Imam Ashafa explains, "even though we differ in some theological issues, we will make the world a safer place".

A DOCUMENTARY FROM THE HEART OF NIGERIA

'Theirs is an inspiring story, full of hope... A model for Muslim-Christian relations.'
Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

'Powerful and timely.'
Ambassador Aminu Wali, Nigerian Permanent Mission to the United Nations

'Beautifully shot, visually evocative... its content is never less than thought-provoking and carries potential lessons for us all.'
The Herald, Scotland

Director: Alan Channer | Producer: Alan Channer

United Kingdom / Nigeria / 2008, Documentary, 3ç mins

Tags: Belief, Religion, Social Development, Spiritual Awareness, World

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Narrator: Rageh Omaar; Producer/Director: Alan Channer;
Assistant Producer: Imad Karam; Executive Producer: David Channer

39-minute documentary film on DVD: price £15.99 incl p&p (cheque payable to FLTfilms)

For institutional use please contact the production company at the address below

Produced by FLTfilms,
24 Greencoat Place, London SW1P 1RD
Tel: +44 207 798 6000 info[@]fltfilms.org.uk
www.fltfilms.org.uk


PRODUCTION TEAM

Executive Producer / Second Camera
David Channer

Producer / Director
Alan Channer

Assistant Producer
Imad Karam

Editor
Ian Corcoran

Assistant Editor
Dana Kahil Trometer

Director/Camera - Yelwa Shendam unit
Philip Carr, Cloudburst Media Ltd.

Technical Consultant
Eric Trometer

Production Advisors
Musa Aliyu
Amina Dikedi
Canon Ben Enwuchola
Dr Christiania Whitehead
Mary Winstanley Channer


Arabic language DVDs
are now available
(dubbed and subtitled)


02 March 2007
'The Imam and the Pastor' Launched in Nigeria

01 December 2006
at the United Nations
* World Premiere

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See the film online:
www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/filmedia/play/2421/The-Imam-and-The-Pastor


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Somali version: The Somali version of ‘The Imam and the Pastor' was screened on the Somali satellite channel Universal TV on 31 July 2009. It is on Youtube in two parts:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLYD7OnW9Zk&feature=channel_page

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv3Ivx_H5O8&feature=channel