By its very title, An American Mosque inspires viewers to reconsider what is Islamic and what is American. The half-hour documentary film will examine this relationship by telling a small town story with larger implications about whose history, whose religion, and whose sanctuaries are considered part of our national identity. The story revolves around the Muslim farming community in Yuba City, California, and the devastating arson in 1994 that destroyed its local mosque. The film’s narrative unfolds through a series of storylines: the building of the mosque, the fire and investigation, the community and media reaction, and the mosque’s rebuilding and future role for the community. Central to the film is the emotional impact the fire had on the community. It will illustrate the profound disappointment felt by those close to the mosque project and their subsequent dismay as the criminal investigation yielded few answers and the media showed only tepid interest in the story. Given decades of apparent tolerance, the film’s characters struggle to come to terms with the alienation and rejection brought on by the alleged hate-crime. For all involved this was a pivotal moment in their lives, bringing into question their identities as American Muslims. An American Mosque concludes by showing the Islamic Center as both a place and an idea that represents the perseverance and commitment of Yuba City’s Muslims to find a religious home in the United States. Producers at KVIE, PBS in Sacramento, are eager to assist with broadcast and distribution of An American Mosque. Read their letter here: KVIE - Letter of Interest An American Mosque has fiscal sponsorship under the non-profit arts organization, the San Francisco Film Society. Read their letter of support here: San Francisco Film Society - Letter of Support