An Interview with Anisa Mehdion being a filmmaker, a journalist and an American Muslim
In the interviews
that follow, explorefaith asked Anisa Mehdi about her faith background, her
personal relationship with God in an era of ongoing terrorist attacks, her
understanding of Islam, and the roles and rights of women in Islamic society.
Mehdi’s candor, clarity and insight offer yet another window into the Islamic
faith; her examples of inter-religious harmony—both personal and in
community—demonstrate that windows opened through understanding can also become
doors to reconciliation. Religion,
Terrorism & Politics |
In 2003,
journalist Anisa Mehdi opened a window
onto Islam that few non-Muslims had seen before. In the National
Geographic documentary Inside Mecca, producer/director Mehdi followed
three Muslims during the Hajj, the pilgrimage required of all able Muslims to
holy Mecca, a city off-limits to anyone other than followers of Muhammad. The
documentary is just one part of a body of work the Emmy-award winning Mehdi has
created illuminating the lives, beliefs and challenges faced by Muslims today as
members of not only the fastest growing religion, but one that is oftentimes
misunderstood. Through her documentaries, radio commentaries, articles and talks
Mehdi has worked to clear away some of the misperceptions and stereotypes many
non-Muslims hold, and present Islam as the religion of love and harmony that she
has known all her life.
