TEHRAN -- Iran’s World Assembly of Islamic Religious Proximity plans to organize a festival dedicated to screening films promoting unity among Muslims.

The first edition of the Islamic Unity International Film Festival will be held May 4 to 10, 2016 in Tehran, festival secretary Hashem Mirzakhani said in a press conference on Sunday.

“In a meeting, the Supreme Leader [of the Islamic Revolution, Ayyatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei] emphasized the strengthening of the Islamic ummah, unifying diplomacy, and struggling against those currents seeking division among Shias and Sunnis,” he added.

“We intend to exploit the potential of cinema to enlighten people about the ugly face of Islamophobia,” he stated.

All films depicting stories from the Holy Quran, the cruelty of the ISIL terrorists, and Islamophobia are eligible to compete in the festival.

MMS/YAW
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