Radicalizing Muslims in Prison:

This is not a new subject - nor is it a new threat. But it is an issue that should be of growing concern. as events in Spain have shown, there is real potential for danger in allowing our prisons to become radicalized. I do not wish to overstate the ominous nature of such activities, but I dare not understate it.

See the piece below, and stay tuned - rumor has it another project focusing on this subject is in the works.

JDS


"Captive Audience" wins CP Innovation Award at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism
Original here

In their film, "Captive Audience," Columbia University graduate student producer/reporters Jamieson Clair, Mukul Devichand and Muhammed Athar Lila reveal the disturbing and growing trend of extremist Wahabbi Islamic ideology being spread trough the New York State prison system. State approved Islamic chaplains and others are converting these captive audiences to the Whabbi faith, often over the objections of Sunni and Shiite Muslims, as well as prisoners with other religious beliefs.

"I would like to save America." – Warith-Deen Umar

Wahhabism is a fundamentalist breed of Sunni Islam rooted in Saudi Arabia that teaches a literal reading of the Quran and denounces people of other faiths—even other Muslims—that do not abide by its absolutist interpretations. Its followers include the Saudi Arabian royal family, the Afghani Taliban, and an increasing number of United States prison inmates.

"Captive Audience" chronicles the rise of Wahhabism in American prisons and investigates why this particular breed of faith among the "captive audience"—both imprisoned and fascinated—is becoming a serious threat to the security of the American republic.

The main subject of the documentary is Warith-Deen Umar, largely recognized as single-handedly responsible for bringing Wahhabism to American prisons and recently banned from entering all New York State prison facilities. As the Former Head Muslim Chaplain of New York State Prisons, Umar allegedly preached anti-Western radicalism to Muslim inmates—most of whom were converted while incarcerated—and taught other Islamic chaplains to do the same.

The film also follows the story of Frankie Cancel, a former New York State inmate, who filed a lawsuit against New York prison commissioner Glenn S. Goord that claimed Islamic chaplains, who were all Wahhabi, used literature and sermons to teach followers to hate and discriminate against Shiite and others of non-Wahhabi faith, even encouraging them to support the September 11 attacks.

In a series of interviews with supporters, rivals, and historical scholars of Wahhabism both in America and Saudi Arabia, "Captive Audience" explores from all angles how an extremist sect of the Islamic faith has infiltrated prison culture. It attempts to inform and warn against the rising generation of America’s newest terrorists—trained and bred in our own correctional institutions.

Program title: Captive Audience
Director: Jamieson Clair, Mukul Devichand and Muhammed Athar Lila

Contact publicity@cameraplanet.com