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The film screening will be followed by a discussion with the film director Ahmad Damen. Screening will start at 12:00 Noon US EDT; 18:00 Europe; 19:00 Palestine Time. Duration: 50 Minutes, English language with subtitles as needed. Released in 2013.

About the FilmI
Since the early centuries of Christianity, pilgrims have journeyed to the Holy Land to visit sites connected to the ministry of Jesus. Today, Israel promotes its control of these sacred areas as a divine blessing for Christians worldwide. However, the biblical routes cherished by various religious sects are increasingly being abandoned. Pilgrims from around the globe are often misled by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and related agencies. Meanwhile, native Palestinian Christians face a new era of persecution. Beyond daily harassment, vandalism, and even the killing of pastors by Israeli gangs, they are further oppressed by the separation wall and checkpoints that fragment their country and restrict their freedom. Many see this as an effort by the Israeli government to depopulate the Holy Land of its indigenous inhabitants.

Ahmad Damen

About Film Director
Ahmad Damen is an award-winning Palestinian musician, podcast producer, and filmmaker. Raised in Ramallah, Palestine, he experienced the second intifada, which deeply influenced his artistic journey into music and film. His debut feature documentary, The Red Stone (2012), garnered critical acclaim and earned him his first international award. His second feature, Forbidden Pilgrimage (2014), was translated into four languages in addition to Arabic.

Ahmad has held various journalistic and media roles across six countries, ultimately becoming the podcast lead for VOA and a content editor for NPR's Here & Now. He currently resides in Washington, DC.