Independent Lens
Sister Úna Lived a Good Death
Helping others in her community prepare for the unknown even as she was dying of cancer, the ever-unconventional Sister Úna inspired people to live into their death.
Three Chaplains
Three Muslim chaplains aim to make change in one of America’s most powerful institutions—the military. For them, the fight for equality and religious freedom begins on the inside.
- Series
- Independent Lens
- Premiere Date
- November 6, 2023
- Length
- 60 minutes
- Funding Initiative
- Open Call
Director / Producer
David Washburn
David Washburn has partnered with Muslim storytellers for over a decade. His documentary, An American Mosque, aired on public television nationwide and was acquired by Al Jazeera. He developed Three Chaplains from his short film series featuring Muslim veterans that ran online in the Washington Post, San Diego Union Tribune, and NBC News.
Producer
Razi Jafri
Razi Jafri makes films about America’s changing cultural landscape. His previous film, Hamtramck, USA (SXSW 2020) chronicles democracy in America’s first Muslim-majority city. He is an alumnus of the Sundance Producers Fellowship. His projects have been funded by the Ford Foundation, Doris Duke Foundation, Knight Foundation, and CAAM.
We fund untold stories for public media.
Learn more about funding opportunities with ITVS.
The Film
As Muslim chaplains, upholding the First Amendment is not just part of their job description, it is highly personal. Rafael Lantigua, Khallid Shabazz, and Saleha Jabeen swear an oath to the Constitution, vowing to protect the right of every service member to practice their faith freely. Despite decades of military service, some still view them as the enemy and unfit to serve because of their beliefs. Rather than blend in, they accept the challenges and inherent dangers of being the public face of Islam for the U.S. military. Three Chaplains goes inside the armed forces to reveal how these chaplains practice, teach, and share their faith with troops around the country. Rafael, Khallid, and Saleha each face resistance—from accusations of terror to disapproval from their own families and community—while ascending to the highest ranks of the military. Like generations of minority service members before them, they call on the Department of Defense to support equality for all.
.jpg)
