SAN DIEGO – St. Paul’s Cathedral is to host the San Diego premier of The Sultan and the Saint, a docudrama about Muslim-Christian peacemaking.
Jan. 19, there will be a small reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. showing of the movie. Opening remarks will be given by Executive Producer Michael Wolfe. After the movie there will be a panel discussion. The event is free, but will require tickets. Childcare (ages 0 to 3) will be available from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
With the rise of new forms of extremism across the Middle East and North Africa, Christians and Muslims around the world are facing a media narrative that pits both communities against one another. This is a film that will serve as a counter-narrative to inspire Muslims, Christians and others to take risks for peace and greater understanding.
In 1219, in the midst of the disastrous Fifth Crusade, Saint Francis of Assisi crossed enemy lines to gain an audience with Al-Malik al-Kamil, the sultan of Egypt. Francis, who opposed the warfare, hoped to bring about peace by converting the sultan to Christianity. He didn’t succeed, but came away from the peaceful encounter with revolutionary ideas that called for Christians to live harmoniously with Muslims. Thus began a relationship between the two that lasted the rest of their lives, each man risking his life to promote peace between their faiths. This story, which is well known among Franciscans, has mainly, until now, been told from the Christian perspective.
Free admission with RSVP. Reserve your tickets here.
