Three Chaplains

Premiered November 06, 2023
Directed by David Washburn

Muslim chaplains advocate for equality in the military.

About the Documentary

Muslim chaplains in the U.S. military support and defend the religious rights of all service members. But their leadership sparks accusations of disloyalty and even disapproval from within their own communities. Resisting calls to blend in, the chaplains fight to maintain a balanced devotion to Islam, the Constitution and the military.

The Filmmakers

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 PostSan Diego Union Tribune, and NBC News.

Razi Jafri

Razi Jafri makes films about America’s changing cultural landscape. His previous film, HamtramckUSA (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.

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A man in a US military uniform with dark skin tone stands beside a woman with medium skin tone wearing a denim jacket and white hijab. Other soldiers stand in the background and foreground.
Beyond the Films

The Complex Role and Diverse Array of Chaplains in the Military