Islamophobia is a sensitive subject under discussion in the U.S. as Rep. Peter King (R-NY) convenes congressional hearings today on Capitol Hill on the radicalization of Islam in America. King claims that Muslim-Americans are not cooperating enough with law enforcement to help foil terror plots. Critics have decried the hearings as unfairly targeting a specific group of people, and say they foment anti-American sentiment abroad, especially in Muslim countries.

In this special report, we take a closer look at what influences attitudes towards Islam in the U.S. As radical, fringe voices get wider attention through coverage by the mainstream media, a theater drama is trying to encourage a more rational dialogue.

I produced this report for a VOA Afghan TV special on Islam in America.

The 9/11 attacks changed the lives of many Muslims living in the United States. For those African-Americans – who make up about 30% of the country’s Muslim population – the experience challenged their faith in several ways, which included facing violent extremism in their own community. The movie “MOOZ-lum” tells the story. Click below to watch my report.

Watch this report in Dari
Watch this report in Pashto

Video clips courtesy of Peace Film LLC.

Images from Afghanistan are often dominated by war. But, a group of young Afghan filmmakers wants to show the world there is another side to the country.

Producers: Philippa Levenberg and Rahim Gul Sarwan
Location: Kabul and Jalalabad, Afghanistan

Watch the complete Afghan films at www.csfilm.org

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) does not speak for the whole Congress with regards to the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. In fact, his opinion is often the exception. But, as the cost of the war nears half a trillion dollars and pressure intensifies to make drastic cuts to the U.S. budget, Kucinich says more members of Congress are wondering if America can continue to afford the war in Afghanistan.

Today, the House of Representatives voted on his resolution to pull all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by 2011, which was defeated 321-93.  Rep. Kucinich introduced a similar bill in 2010 that was defeated by a greater margin. In an interview a few days before the vote, Kucinich told me why he thinks the opinion in Congress is shifting on the war in Afghanistan.

Excerpts from this interview aired on VOA TV Ashna in Dari and Pashto.

Ten years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a growing number of young Muslim-Americans are choosing careers in public service. They say they want to influence the conversation about Islam in the US, and to serve their country as Americans and Muslims. I produced this report for VOA Afghan TV’s special coverage for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

It has been 10 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which prompted the US invasion of Afghanistan. Now, as American troops start to leave Afghanistan, US Congresswomen Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Donna Edwards (D-Md) want to make sure Afghan women receive meaningful inclusion in the country’s future. They told me why they established the Afghan Women’s Task Force that provides mentoring for women members of parliament, as well as civic and business leaders. This interview aired on VOA’s TV Ashna on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Taliban rule destroyed most of Afghanistan’s medical libraries and hindered the education system for doctors and medical professionals. Now, a special American airlift is helping Afghan doctors improve their skills.

Producers: Philippa Levenberg and Rahim Gul Sarwan
Location: Washington, D.C. and Kabul, Afghanistan

Click here to watch this story in Pashto.