We proudly announce our Academic Advisers, who are now part of “The Last Sermon”. They are helping us with the researches and will accompany our shootings in several countries:
Dr. Jitka Pánek Jurková holds a MSc. in International Relations from the University of Amsterdam and is currently earning her PhD. in Anthropology from Charles University in the Czech Republic. Ms. Jurková worked as the Head of Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of the State of Israel in Prague, and is an independent researcher in fields of arts and culture in politics and public life. Ms. Jurková feels that the medium of film is powerful and that the central themes in The Last Sermon are underrepresented in current dialogues. Her studies of cultural community identities and relationships between religious groups have prepared her for work on the film and she will conduct research concerning the Muslim community in the Czech Republic in preparation for filming there.
Dr. Omar Sayfo is studying for his doctorate at the Research Institute for History and Culture of the Faculty of Humanities at Utrecht University. He has published several academic articles and written chapters in books such as “Arab Animation: Between Business and Politics” in Children’s Television and Digital Media in the Arab World edited by Naomi Sakr and Jeanette Steemers. Currently, he is a researcher at the HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World at the University of Cambridge. Mr. Sayfo is using his skills to research Muslim communities in several of the countries that will be visited in the film. His background in animation related to the Arab world and Muslims inspires him to work on the project, using film as an educational channel.
Dr. Aziz Mulay-Shah is an Assistant Professor in International Affairs at the Canadian University of Dubai and received his M.A. in International Relations from the University of Amsterdam.
In the past he functioned as the Deputy Ambassador of the Canadian Embassy, working with political, military, and security affairs for Canada in the United Arab Emirates. His past government positions involving issues and security in the Middle East inspired him to take part in the film. He is contributing his knowledge and skills as a research consultant for the film, specifically on Middle Eastern cultures.
Dr. Tzameret Daphne Levy a PhD in history from the Tel Aviv University. During her studies she won a two scholarship from KOC, a University in Istanbul, where she spent the years 2008 to 2009 as a researcher fellow at the Institute of Civilizations research (RCAC). Her work contributes to the understanding of the Ottoman Empire in the 18 century. Since 2016 Levi-Daphne manages the forum of contemporary Turkey studies in the Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem. It is an important interdisciplinary research forum (historical, sociological and cultural) of Turkey. The Forum also encourages dialogue between Israel and Turkey, seeking to examine the two countries in a comparative perspective and thereby produce profound observation on Turkey – one of the major influences in the Middle East.
Rebecca Granato MSt is the Associate Dean and a founding faculty member at Al Quds Bard College for Arts & Sciences in East Jerusalem. She has extensive teaching experience in a range of history courses, including her own field of specialty, the modern Middle East. She is also an Associate for Bard College’s Institute for Writing & Thinking, an innovative lab for writing pedagogy and other classroom practices. She just completed her PhD dissertation on Palestinian political prisoners during the 1970s and has started to publish this research in various publications, including the Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP). So she is a Ph.D. Candidate, The Tri-University Program, Waterloo, Canada. She is motivated to work with the film due to its focus on the contemporary issues of the Muslim-Arab world. Her deep scholarly and personal knowledge of Arabic, Arab cultures, and the Middle East, combined with her experience as a history and writing professor, allows her to act as a research consultant and writer for the film.
Tomas Pojar MA is the Vice President for International Relations of the Cevro Institute and an Independent Consultant on defense, security, and foreign affairs issues. Mr. Pojar is also the Executive Director of the NGO People in Need, and his passion for human rights issues led him to establish the One World International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival. His prior experience as the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the State of Israel, combined with a M.A. in Government with a specialization in Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security, equips him with extensive knowledge on the past and current issues of terrorism. He has chosen to be part of this film because it addresses the culture of terrorism alongside human rights issues. Mr. Pojar will act as an editing advisor in the film’s post-production phase.
“Behold! All of the practices done in the Days of Ignorance are now under my feet. There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab or of a non-Arab over an Arab or of a White over a Black or of a Black over a White, except by righteousness and piety.”
