Speaking at a press conference at the 15th Marrakech International Film Festival on Saturday, Francis Ford Coppola, renowned American filmmaker, quoted the Holy Qur’an and defended Islam in a touching way.
Coppola, president of the nine-member Jury for the festival, answered a question about current events and cinema to Illionweb media, in which he talked about Islam in a compelling manner, Morocco World News reported.
Coppola quoted the Qur’an, specifically Surah Al Fatiha, and emphasized on the message of peace, mercy, tolerance and love advocated by the holy book of Muslims.
“If you know the Qur’an, the first words are: In the name of God, the Gracious and the Merciful. Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Master of the Book of Judgment,” Coppola quoted.
“Anyone who knows this beautiful religion that was the height of civilization in the 13th century, knows that at the root of that religion, the two most important words are that God is Gracious, God is Merciful, and we trust to that God to deliver us from this misunderstanding that is hurting people,” he added.
According to the Illionweb, his testimony full of truth brought tears to those in the room and left them speechless.
In late August, Coppola watched Majid Majidi’s ‘Muhammad, the Messenger of God’ along with the members of the American Film Institute (AFI) in Los Angeles.
After watching the movie at the special screening organized by the film’s well-known Italian cinematographer Vitorio Storaro, Coppola praised Majidi’s film on the early life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and like other viewers believed that it has the potential to maintain peace between different religions.
Coppola, 76, is a film director, producer and screenwriter. Some of his most famous films are ‘The Godfather’ trilogy, ‘Apocalypse Now’, and ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’.
He is among only six people in Academy Award history to receive Oscars for directing, producing and screenwriting, as well as one of only eight filmmakers to win two Palme d’Or awards at Cannes Film Festival.
