Students will have the opportunity to gain understanding and awareness of a different culture this Friday as the Multicultural Student Center presents the movie “Mooz-lum.”

Directed and written by Qasim Basir, the independent film “Mooz-lum” follows a young college student, Tariq, played by Evan Ross, who comes from a strict Muslim background. As Tariq adjusts to his new college environment the events of 9/11 occur, causing him to make drastic changes in his life.

The Multicultural Center decided to bring this film to the GSU theater this spring during one of the annual meetings.

“Every spring, our office has a program planning, so we invite the entire campus, faculty, staff and students to come out and share ideas with us. This movie came up,” Consuela Ward, the director of the Multicultural Center said.

“When I looked at all the movies that were recommended, I realized that this movie is something that we haven’t seen before.”

The film helps people no matter what race to be able to be proud, love and appreciate who they are.

“This is lived experience for people, not just on that day, but after that day. In January, this person is still Hindu,” Ward said. “This person is still African American and perhaps identifies as Jewish or Muslim or whatever. So, we want to be able to open up our minds intellectually to accept that people can have their own identity all throughout the year and not to only be reminded of it on one specific month, day or week.”

“Mooz-lum” has a varying array of actors and actresses in the film that students can recognize, which makes it easier for students to understand the movie’s message.

“What makes the movie relevant is because some of the actors and actresses are pretty well known. Nia Long, Danny Glover, just to name a few. Once we can identify with people, we get the message a lot easier,” Ward said. “When you look at the whole Bollywood industry, when you look at those films, they are great but because Americans don’t know those actors and actresses more intimately as we know American ones. They don’t get the attention. But I guarantee you, if more of us started watching foreign films, we would get it.”

Although the film deals with the topic of 9/11, it’s being shown in January in order to convey another central issue.

“ I think the caution in showing or doing programs surrounded by a celebration around a particular date only tells people not to think about it till that time of year. I think we should be cautious to not forget, because we don’t want to forget,” Ward said.

“Mooz-lum” is a film that will make students think about the way they view Muslim people in America, as well as inspire others to be true to themselves.

“I think it’s so important for people to know that being Muslim means that you can identify with any part of the world or any hue of your skin or any other ethnic identity. It doesn’t limit you to one portion of the world,” Ward said.

“Mooz-lum” is going to be shown in the Russell Union Theater on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 7p.m.