Inspiring, Troubling, Revealing

About a month before the massive terrorist attack on U.S. soil, eight Western and sixteen Muslim Afghani aid workers (twenty-four people) were arrested by the Taliban. Most of us remember the two American women held captive, but we don’t know about the others nor the connection between their captivity and the events of 9/11.

The workers served in Afghanistan with Shelter Now, an organization that had served Afghanis for nineteen years at the time of the hostage crisis. Shelter Now was founded by Christ-followers committed to helping the poor to rebuild communities and rebuild their lives through appropriate shelter and community development programs. They did not initiate conversations about Christianity.

When a Muslim family in Afghanistan consistently asked the two Americans in the group for the opportunity to view the Jesus Film, the women eventually conceded to their request.

In Islam, Jesus (“Issa”, pronounced E-suh) is a prophet of God sent to guide the people of Israel with a new scripture, the gospel. The Qur'an mentions Jesus twenty-five times, stating that Jesus was born to Mary as the result of virginal conception, and to aid him in his quest, Jesus was given the ability to perform miracles. The Qur’an narrates that Issa will return to Earth near the day of judgment to restore justice and defeat the anti-Christ. The Jesus Film is the story of Issa’s life.

Now we know the requests were part of a set-up to accuse the workers of proselytizing, as the Taliban needed some hostages to use as a bargaining chip following their plans for 9/11.

The entire story of the workers’ arrest, the 105-day ordeal, and the ultimate rescue of the hostages is brilliantly captured in a great documentary, “Kabul-24.” Executive produced by Dove and Grammy award winning producer/artist Michael W. Smith, the film is directed by Ben Pearson and narrated by Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ, Count of Monte Cristo). The storytelling has great pacing with top-notice on-site visuals.

Check out this flick if you like to hear the news behind the news, appreciate hearing the "other" side of the news, or simply love an inspiring story full of intrigue and suspense. The workers are honest about their imperfections, fears, and frustrations. Available in video, I recommend this highly for discussion groups. Consider donating a copy to your public and/or church library. Sorry: Not available on Netflix.

For more info, go to http://www.kabul24movie.com/.

Thanks to Edify Media, which provided a review copy upon request.