Egyptian documentary asks: Are bombings suicide or martyrdom?

Toronto, 30 March (ENI)--A Christian Coptic organization in Egypt is set to release a television documentary in which Arab Muslims are asked whether those who die carrying out bombings and kidnappings have committed suicide or are martyrs.

Producers of the programme, made by the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services in partnership with the
Toronto-based World Association for Christian Communication, say it gives voice to ordinary people whose opinions of the role of violence in Arab value systems are rarely heard.

"Suicide or Martyrdom? The Arab Stance towards Violence", is the first in a series of six 25-minute documentaries created to
enhance understanding between the Arab Islamic world and the West by increasing the availability of Arab perspectives in
international media.

"Through the project, the publishing house seeks to contribute to genuine peace built on justice and the common good of all, and to promote co-existence and mutual understanding between the Arab Islamic world and the Western world," the CEOSS said in a statement.

Negotiations are underway for distribution to western television networks including the BBC, TV5, and Deutsche Welle, following broadcast on television networks in the Arab world scheduled for August 2007, the WACC said in Toronto.
The documentary is based on the book of the same name written by political scientist, Wahid Abd El Majid, and published by Dar El Thaqafa, the publishing house of the CEOSS.

Programme information: www.ceoss.org.eg and www.arabperspectives.com

Reprinted from ENI with permission