In a socially conscious twist on Saturday night at the movies, Loma Linda University offered a free screening of the documentary “Darfur Diaries” on April 28 to a crowd of 350.

The Darfur region of Sudan has been embroiled in conflict between the government and Darfuri rebels for several years. Some estimates claim that more than 400,000 have been killed, and more than two million people have been displaced from their homes. In what is considered a genocidal campaign, Arab militias believed to be backed by the Sudanese government have been terrorizing, raping and killing the black civilian population of Darfur.

“Our main intention was to raise awareness of the unspeakable pain the people of Darfur have experienced,” says Siroj Sorajjakool, Ph.D., an LLU professor of religion who helped organize the screening.

The event coincided with Global Days for Darfur, an international awareness campaign that took place April 23 to 30. More than 500 events were held in the United States.

“Darfur Diaries” was filmed when three activists sneaked into Sudan in October 2004 and interviewed victims of the government attacks as well some rebels.

A panel discussion followed the film screening. Panel members offered their reactions to the film, and they discussed the history and context of the conflict. The panel members were Richard Hart, M.D., Dr.P.H., chancellor of LLU; Leslie Pollard, Ph.D., D.Min., special assistant to the chancellor for diversity; Bruce Voss, a student in the School of Public Health; and Mustafa Kuko, Ph.D., director of the Islamic Center of Riverside and a native of Sudan. The moderators were David Larson, Ph.D., D.Min., and Julius Nam, Ph.D., both members of the School of Religion.

Pollard said the film reminded him of “what a great responsibility I have.”

The evening closed with prayer led by local pastor Samir Selmanovic, Ph.D.; campus chaplain Terry Swenson, M.Div.; and students Victoria Aja, Jessica Rizzotto and Mona Ghomeshi.

The event’s organizers also included information in the program and other fliers about how to take action to help the people of Darfur.

“I think that as a Christian institution, we have a responsibility to address issues of social justice in the world we live in,” says Sorajjakool. “In the end, many of these issues may have spiritual causes, such as lack of contentment and greed. There are many people in pain, and if we cannot bring God into the midst of their pain, we are only speaking on the periphery.”

In order to continue advocating for important causes, the School of Religion has just formed a steering committee for social justice.

The “Darfur Diaries” event was sponsored by the School of Religion, the Center for Spiritual Life & Wholeness, the Center for Christian Bioethics, the office of diversity, and campus ministries. In addition, numerous students volunteered their services to help make it happen.